Speaking

Task I. Match the court sentence in the left column with the punishment in the right one.

Court sentence	Punishment
Common assault Repeated murder Manslaughter Vandalizing a telephone box Shop-lifting Parking a car illegally Drinking and driving Burglary Murder of a policeman	100 hours of community service a $400 fine death penalty life imprisonment five to ten years in prison 2 months in prison 10 years in prison a fine a $200 fine and disqualification from driving

Task II. Read the interview with a long-term prisoner. He speaks about his career in crime.

Chloe: Harry, you’ve 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 friends?

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 Woolies… Woolworth’s, and one day we were caught. I ended up in Borstal.

Chloe: You mean, they sent you to Borstal for… for shoplifting?

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

Chloe: You used up 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 then 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 planing on working for my brother. He’s got a motorbike 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 [3].