Crime — Unit 17, Beginner English
Crime basics, types of crime and criminals, police actions, guilty/innocent/fine/prison, and staying safe.
Reading: A Theft at the Shop
Last week, there was a theft at a shop near my house. The shop sells electronics like phones and computers. A thief went into the shop. He stole three phones. He put them in his bag. He didn't pay for them. Then he left the shop. A shop assistant saw him. She called the police. The police arrived quickly. They asked questions. They looked at the security camera. The camera showed the thief clearly. The police arrested him the next day. The thief was a young man. He was 19 years old. He said he was sorry. He said he had no money. But stealing is a crime. You cannot steal things. The thief went to court. The judge found him guilty. He had to pay a fine. He also had to go to prison for six months. The shop got its phones back. The shop assistant was happy. She said, "Crime doesn't pay."
The shop is safer now. The owner put two new cameras near the door and he does not leave phones on the front table. A security guard works there on Friday and Saturday.
Shoplifting is a common crime in our town. The police say most shoplifters are young and most of them steal small things — chocolate, batteries, make-up. Some do it because they have no money. Some do it because their friends do it.
A police officer came to our school last month. She said, "A criminal record follows you for years. You cannot get a good job with one." Then she showed us photos from the police station.
My friend asked her, "What should we do if we see a theft?" She said, "Do not stop the thief yourself. It is dangerous. Call the police and remember what the person looks like."
Vocabulary from this unit
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| crime | /kraɪm/ | something illegal | Crime is a problem in big cities. |
| criminal | /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/ | a person who commits a crime | The police caught the criminal. |
| police | /pəˈliːs/ | people who stop crime | Call the police! |
| police officer | /pəˈliːs ˈɒfɪsə/ | a member of the police | A police officer asked questions. |
| police station | /pəˈliːs ˈsteɪʃən/ | police building | We went to the police station. |
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| theft | /θeft/ | stealing something | There was a theft at the shop. |
| robbery | /ˈrɒbəri/ | stealing using force | There was a robbery at the bank. |
| burglary | /ˈbɜːɡləri/ | entering to steal | We had a burglary last night. |
| shoplifting | /ˈʃɒplɪftɪŋ/ | stealing from a shop | Shoplifting is a crime. |
| mugging | /ˈmʌɡɪŋ/ | attacking and robbing | There was a mugging near here. |
| thief | /θiːf/ | a person who steals | The thief took my bag. |
| robber | /ˈrɒbə/ | a person who robs | The robber ran away. |
| burglar | /ˈbɜːɡlə/ | a person who burgles | A burglar broke into the house. |
| shoplifter | /ˈʃɒplɪftə/ | a person who shoplifts | The shoplifter was arrested. |
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| steal | /stiːl/ | take something that isn't yours | Someone stole my phone. |
| rob | /rɒb/ | steal from a person or place | They robbed the shop. |
| arrest | /əˈrest/ | take someone to the police | The police arrested the man. |
| catch | /kætʃ/ | stop a criminal | The police caught the thief. |
| report a crime | /rɪˈpɔːt ə kraɪm/ | tell the police | You should report a crime. |
| call the police | /kɔːl ðə pəˈliːs/ | phone the police | Call the police! |
3 more vocabulary sections in the full unit.
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Beginner — roughly CEFR A0–A1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.