Vocabulary

 
 

The New Home

Having rented an apartment for eight years, Susan and Peter were finally able to purchase their own family home in the suburbs.

After moving in, they threw a house warming party, with their family, friends and neighbors in attendance. There was a big feast with live music.

Over the next month, Susan and Peter bought new furnishings to create their California dream home.

The Post

One Monday afternoon, Susan found a envelope in their mailbox. Inside was a greeting card wishing her and Peter well in their new home, and two tickets for an America’s Got Talent show that weekend.

However, no name had been written on the on the card or envelope.
 

Who?

Susan called her best friend Veronica.

“Did you send us a wedding card and tickets to a America’s Got Talent show?” Susan asked her friend.
“No, I hadn’t,” answered Veronica. “The coffee table was the only thing I had given you.”

Susan and Peter then called all their family and friends, asking them the same question. However nobody said they knew anything about it.

All week long the couple wondered who the gift giver was.
 

The Talent Show

That Saturday, Susan and Peter went to the show. They watched some great and not-so-great performances, and had a memorable evening.

When they returned home, they found their front gate and the front door of their house had been smashed open. Rushing inside, they found their living room and kitchen ransacked. The bookshelves had been toppled over . . . the sofa and armchairs overturned . . . dishes were broken on the floor.

Not only that, but everything of value was missing: their computers, TV, gold jewelry, cash, stereo, suits, shoes.
 

The Pillow

They entered their bedroom. It too had been completely trashed.

Then Susan saw something propped up against a pillow on their bed.

“Peter, look. A note,” she said, picking it up.

It read, “Now you know.”

  

Questions

 
Speeding, Illegal Parking. Susan and Peter were classmates at school. True, false, perhaps?

Shoplifting. Did they have a wedding party? Who attended it? What did they do?

Loitering. Did they move into a furnished, rental home? What did they do after their wedding? After their wedding . . . .

Graffiti, Vandalism. What happened one day?

Assault. The tickets were from Peter’s aunt and uncle. Is this right or wrong?

Burglary. What happened that Saturday evening?

(Armed) Robbery. “Now you know.” What does this mean?
 
 
 
Community Center. My friends and I are all married. Yes or no? Did you have a huge wedding? Have you attended weddings?

Volunteer Work, Community Service. Have you moved often? How many times have you moved?

Hobbies, Classes, Courses. Have your friends ever experienced a burglary or other crime? What happened?

Parades, Festivals, Celebrations. Are there fences, gates and heavily locked doors in your neighborhood? Are there security guards and CCTV?

Arbor Day, Clean Up Day. Is crime a problem in your city? What kind of crimes occur?

Concerts, Performances, Shows. What will happen in the future? What could or should people and governments do?