A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: What do you think makes this theft surprising?
a) It happens in a very famous museum.
b) The thieves return the jewels the next day.
c) The jewels are not valuable.
Ask: (1) What items do museums usually have? (2) Do you enjoy going to museums? Why or why not?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
Thieves stole priceless jewelry from the Louvre museum in Paris in only seven minutes. The raid happened soon after the museum opened on Sunday. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
The robbers used a truck with a ladder to reach the Apollo Gallery, one of the most famous rooms. They broke two strong glass cases and took items from the French Crown Jewels, from the time of Napoleon.
Four people took part. They did not have guns, but they scared the security guards. They tried to take nine items. Eight are still missing.
A tiara and a necklace are among the missing pieces. One crown, from Empress Eugénie, was left behind and damaged. It has 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, officials said.
A Louvre guard also stopped a fire. One of the robbers tried to burn the truck used in the raid. No one was hurt.
President Emmanuel Macron said “everything is being done” to catch the suspects. The interior ministry said the items are very important for France’s history.
Police opened an investigation for organized theft. Officers are asking the public for tips and video to help find the robbers.
Thieves Steal Crown Jewels from the Louvre
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: What do you think makes this theft surprising?
a) It happens in a very famous museum.
b) The thieves return the jewels the next day.
c) The jewels are not valuable.
Ask: (1) What items do museums usually have? (2) Do you enjoy going to museums? Why or why not?
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Museum (n.)
-
Gallery (n.)
-
Ladder (n.)
-
Crown (n.)
-
Tiara (n.)
-
Necklace (n.)
-
Jewels (n.)
-
Suspect (n.)
Thieves stole priceless jewelry from the Louvre museum in Paris in only seven minutes. The raid happened soon after the museum opened on Sunday. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
The robbers used a truck with a ladder to reach the Apollo Gallery, one of the most famous rooms. They broke two strong glass cases and took items from the French Crown Jewels, from the time of Napoleon.
Four people took part. They did not have guns, but they scared the security guards. They tried to take nine items. Eight are still missing.
A tiara and a necklace are among the missing pieces. One crown, from Empress Eugénie, was left behind and damaged. It has 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, officials said.
A Louvre guard also stopped a fire. One of the robbers tried to burn the truck used in the raid. No one was hurt.
President Emmanuel Macron said “everything is being done” to catch the suspects. The interior ministry said the items are very important for France’s history.
Police opened an investigation for organized theft. Officers are asking the public for tips and video to help find the robbers.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Thieves stole priceless jewelry from the Louvre museum in (1) in only seven minutes. The raid happened soon after the museum opened on Sunday. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
The robbers used a truck with a (2) to reach the Apollo Gallery, one of the most famous rooms. They broke two strong glass cases and took items from the French Crown Jewels, from the time of Napoleon.
Four people took part. They did not have guns, but they scared the security guards. They tried to take nine items. (3) are still missing.
A tiara and a necklace are among the missing pieces. One crown, from Empress Eugénie, was left behind and damaged. It has 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, officials said.
A Louvre guard also stopped a fire. One of the robbers tried to burn the truck used in the raid. No one was hurt.
President Emmanuel Macron said “(4) is being done” to catch the suspects. The interior ministry said the items are very important for France’s history.
Police opened an (5) for organized theft. Officers are asking the public for tips and video to help find the robbers.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. The raid at the Louvre took about seven minutes. TRUEFALSE True
2. The thieves had guns. TRUEFALSE False
3. A guard stopped someone from burning the truck. TRUEFALSE True
4. All nine items are still missing. TRUEFALSE False
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Museumf) A place that shows art or history to the public.
2. Gallerye) A room or area inside a museum.
3. Ladderd) Steps used to climb up or down.
4. Tiarac) A small, light crown for a woman.
5. Necklaceb) Jewelry worn around the neck.
6. Suspecta) A person who may have done a crime.
a) A person who may have done a crime.
b) Jewelry worn around the neck.
c) A small, light crown for a woman.
d) Steps used to climb up or down.
e) A room or area inside a museum.
f) A place that shows art or history to the public.
Discussion Questions
- What do you know about Paris?
- What should the police do first after a museum theft?
- Do you think the thieves will be caught?
- How would you feel if your city lost a famous item?
- Why do people steal art or jewels?
- Do you enjoy movies about thieves or police? Why or why not?
- The Mona Lisa is in the Louvre. Would you like to see that famous painting?
- Which vocabulary word from this article was new to you, and how will you remember it?
Discussion Questions
- What do you know about Paris?
- What should the police do first after a museum theft?
- Do you think the thieves will be caught?
- How would you feel if your city lost a famous item?
- Why do people steal art or jewels?
- Do you enjoy movies about thieves or police? Why or why not?
- The Mona Lisa is in the Louvre. Would you like to see that famous painting?
- Which vocabulary word from this article was new to you, and how will you remember it?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) Paris, (2) ladder, (3) Eight, (4) everything, (5) investigation
True or False:
- True. The article says the raid took seven minutes.
- False. They did not have guns.
- True. A Louvre guard stopped a fire attempt on the truck.
- False. Eight are missing; one crown was left behind and damaged.
Vocabulary:
- Museum: A place that shows art or history to the public.
- Gallery: A room or area inside a museum.
- Ladder: Steps used to climb up or down.
- Tiara: A small, light crown for a woman.
- Necklace: Jewelry worn around the neck.
- Suspect: A person who may have done a crime.