Dialogue "Harry's interview"

Part A Pre-listening activities

I. Make sure that you know the following words and phrases

to serve a sentence for smth = to do a sentence for smth

to hang round = to spend one’s time doing nothing

to keep on doing = to continue to do smth

a nipper – a young guy

II. Before listening answer the questions:

1. Do you think imprisonment is the right method to help a criminal go straight?

Prove your opinion.

2. What crimes should be punished by imprisonment?

3. What qualities can a person get rid of in prison?

Part B Listening activities

1. Listen to the interview and explain some of Harry's words.

1. ... we used to hang round there all day ...

2. ... I ended up in Borstal ...

3. ... for beating up old ladies ...

4. ... the worst thing is being shut up all the time ...

5. ... I can't stand setting up ...

6. ... burglary mostly ...

7. ... I've admitted doing a lot of things ...

8. ... spending half of my life behind bars ...

10. ... That's a bit of a problem!

11. ... employing someone with a record like mine.

2. Listen again and comment on the meanings of these words.

a) a "nipper" is           1. a pickpocket

2. a shop-lifter

3. a young guy

b) "juke box" is           1. a box of chewing gum

2. a record player in a bar

3. the radio

c) "Woolworth's" is       1. a railway station

2. a department store

3. a police station

d) "Borstal" is            1. a special centre for young

2. a famous theatre

3. sea resort

Part C After listening activities

1. Work in pairs and discuss the following points

1. Do you think Harry will really go straight? Prove your opinion.

2. If you were in prison what wouldn't you be able to get used to?

2. Imagine you are a newspapper reporter. Write a short article for your newspaper about Harry.

Harry's interview (tapescript)

In tonight's edition of Reflections we are going to look at the problems of long-term-prisoners. We took our cameras into several prisons, and our first interview is with a man we shall call him Harry . He spoke to us about his career in crime.

Chloe: Harry, you're serving a five year sentence for robbery with violence.

Harry: That's right.

Chloe: Perhaps you could begin by telling us about your early life.

Harry: Yeah. Well, I grew up in South London. I was on my own a lot; see, my mother used to work down the fish market, and my dad - well, he ran off when I was just a nipper.

Chloe: Did you have any friend?

Harry: Oh, yeah. All the kids from our street used to meet up at the coffee bar. There was one at the end of the road. We didn't have much money, so we used to hang round there all day. We never used to go to the cinema, or dancing, or anything like that. We couldn't afford it.

Chloe: What did you use to do there?

Harry: Oh, we just sat around listening to the juke box. Nothing special.

Chloe: When did you start getting into trouble?

Harry: I suppose I was fourteen, something like that. My friends used to go, shoplifting at Woollies ... Woolworth's, and one day we were caught. I ended up in Borstal.

Chloe: You mean, they sent you to Borstal for ... for shop-lifting?

Harry: Well, yeah. After the fourth time ... and for beating-up old ladies.

Chloe: You used to beat-up old ladies.

Harry: Well, only when I was trying to rob them.

Chloe: You beat them up and then robbed them?

Harry: Yeah. I used to do that.

Chloe: Perhaps you'd tell me about your life in prison.

Harry: I suppose the worst thing is being shut up all the time. Yeah, and I can't stand getting up at 5.30, either. I just can't get used to that, even though I've been here more than three years. You see, before I came here I liked staying in bed all morning. I was on night work, you see.

Chloe: Night work?

Harry: Mmm. Burglary, mostly. Hah-ha. I caught you there. I can't get used to going to bed at eight, either.

Chloe: Harry, if you don't mind me saying so, a lot of viewers will think of you as an enemy of society.

Harry: Well, that's fair enough. But I've admitted doing a lot of things. I've spent a lot of time thinking. I could keep on stealing things, but I'd end up spending half my life behind bars. I'm going straight this time, don't you worry.

Chloe: What do you intend doing when you get out?

Harry: I'm very fond of working on motor-bikes. I've been studying while. I've been inside, and I'm hoping to qualify as a mechanic.

Chloe: Do you think you'll be able to get a job?

Harry: That's a bit of a problem. People are scared of employing someone with a record like mine, you know, for fear they begin stealing again.

Chloe: How will you get round that?

Harry: I'm planning on working for my brother. He's got a motor-bike shop.

Chloe: So, you plan to work for your brother?

Harry: That's right. I tell you, I won't be back. I'm not going to risk wasting another five years.

Chloe: Well, I wish you luck, Harry.

Harry: Thanks.

GRAMMAR SECTION

G rammar to be revised: the Infinitive, Infinitive Constructions

Ex. 1.   Combine the sentences using the infinitive.

Model: He broke into the house. He wanted to steal the jewellery.

He broke into the house to steal the jewellery.

1. I disclosed these facts. I wanted to guarantee your acquittal.

2. The experts were called to the scene of the crime. They were to lift fingerprints.

3. You will be called to the court. You will give evidence.

4. The criminals had stolen a get-away car. They didn't want to be captured.

5. He shot at the policeman. He wanted to resist the arrest.

6. They destroyed all the documents. They wanted to conceal the embezzlement.

E x. 2. Combine the following parts of the sentences into one sentence.

Model 1:  He is very experienced. He can investigate a murder case.

He is experienced enough to investigate a murder case.

1. The offence is not serious. It will be tried by jury.

2. The evidence is not convincing. The prosecution can't accuse you of burglary.

3. The thief was very smart. He escaped the arrest.

4. The distinction between a robbery and a theft is clear. Everybody can understand it.

5. The criminal was quite thin. He could slip between the bars.

Model 2:  It was very dark. The witness could not see the details.

It was too dark for the witness to see details.

1. The victim was terrified. He could not defend himself.

2. He is very young. He can't be put on trial.

3. The amount of crime on transport is frightening. It can't be neglected.

4. I am very poor. I can't make bond.

5. The man is honest. He will not steal the money.

E x. 3. Transform the sentences according to the model using the infinitive:

Model.  He was the first witness who gave evidence.

He was the first (witness) to give evidence.

1. Jack Black was the only one who pleaded guilty. 2. He was the first man who managed to break this prison. 3. She was the first woman who was sentenced to death in the US. 4. He was the last prisoner who remained in custody.

E x. 4. Transform the following sentences into sentences with complex object:

Model:  I heard that the witness gave evidence.

I heard the witness give evidence.

1. The doctor found that the man had been murdered several hours earlier. 2. I suppose that you will be cross-examined. 3. The attorney expects that his client will tell the truth. 4. I still consider that they are not guilty. 5. The police believe that the millionaire’s son was kidnapped. 6. The defense council declared that the defendant was not mixed up in the conspiracy. 7. I know that they have been interrogating the suspect for an hour. 8. Newspapers report that the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. 9. I heard how the Magistrates were discussing my case.

E x. 5. Turn the following sentences into sentences with complex subject:

Model:  It is a crime to smoke marijuana in England. It seems...

It seems to be a crime to smoke marijuana in England.

1. The suspect need not prove anything.

The suspect is unlikely to...

2. He is suspected of arson.

He seems to...

3. English law has rather a long definition of murder.

English law is known to...

4. The defendant's acts caused the death of the victim.

The defendant's acts happened to...

5. Mr. Brown was found not guilty.

Mr. Brown is said to...

6. The criminal was caught red handed.

The criminal was reported to...

7. The victim has been poisoned.

The victim is believed to...

8. They are cross-examining the suspect.

They are supposed to...

9. The number of violent crimes is increasing.

The number of violent crimes appears to...

E x. 6. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to the infinitives: