7. Choose the correct word to make the sentence complete.

1. When someone is killed lawfully by someone who did not have “malice aforethought,” as it is known, the killer is charged with arson/ manslaughter/ robbery.

2. Manslaughter is separate from murder/ theft/ abuse, recognizing that people can occasionally kill each other.

3. There are four/ three/ two types of manslaughter.

4.  A burglar who is surprised by a security guard and accidentally kills the security guard would be charged with manslaughter/ arson/ abuse, unless he committed the killing with a weapon such as a gun, which would suggest some malice aforethought.

5. If the accused/ lawyer/ prosecutor started a fight with the goal of provoking the victim and the victim was killed in the course of the fight, this might be considered murder, especially if the accused and the victim had a past history of animosity.

6. Involuntary manslaughter occurs as a result of desire/ negligence/ intention.

7. The killer was not provoked, and did not mean to kill anyone, but his or her usual/ strange/ negligent actions led to a death.

8. In vehicular manslaughter someone's reckless driving/ listening to music/ reading a book leads to a death.

9. If someone can prove that the negligence was unintentional/ desirable/ intentional, the charge may be upgraded to murder.

10. In some regions, someone with a history of driving under the influence (DUI) convictions may be charged with murder for a death which occurs as a result of drinking and driving, rather than manslaughter/ rape/ shoplifting.

8. Decide which sentences are true and which are false. Make the false sentences true.

1. Manslaughter is separate from murder, recognizing that people can occasionally kill each other without meaning to, and it tends to carry a reduced sentence, depending on the circumstances in which the killing occurred.

2. There are three types of manslaughter.

3. The line between murder and voluntary manslaughter can sometimes be very fine, and it is possible for charges to be changed to reflect new information in a case.

4. Involuntary manslaughter occurs when someone commits a crime due to provocation.

5. Voluntary manslaughter occurs as a result of negligence.

6. The penalty for this crime is usually death.

7. A classic example of this form is vehicular manslaughter, in which someone's reckless driving leads to a death.

8. In most states, premeditated murder carries a much harsher sentence than manslaughter or accidental death.

9. Read the text again to fill in the gaps.

1. When someone is killed lawfully by someone who did not have “malice aforethought,” as it is known, the killer is charged with...

2. Likewise, … who is surprised by a security guard and accidentally kills the security guard would be charged with manslaughter, unless he committed the killing with a weapon such as a gun, which would suggest some malice aforethought.

3. The line between murder and voluntary manslaughter can sometimes be very fine, and it is possible for charges to be changed… new information in a case.

4. Involuntary manslaughter occurs as a result of...

5. The killer was not provoked, and did not mean to kill anyone, but his or her negligent actions led to…

6. … can upgrade a charge to murder.

10. There are different types of manslaughter that can be charged in different countries. Choose any country you like to overview types of manslaughter and the charge. Discuss it in small groups.

Focus on Grammar