Shoplifting

Level: B1

People are not so honest as they once were. The temptation to steal is greater than ever before – especially in large shops. A detective recently watched a well-dressed woman who always went into a large store on Monday mornings. One Monday, there were fewer people in the shop than usual when the woman came in, so it was easier for the detective to watch her.

The woman first bought a few small articles. After a little time, she chose one of the most expensive dresses in the shop and handed it to an assistant who wrapped it up for her as quickly as possible. Then the woman simply took the parcel and walked out of the shop without paying. When she was arrested, the detective found out that the shop assistant was her daughter. The girl ‘gave’ her mother a free dress once a week!

Glossary

arrest- if the police arrest someone, the person is taken to a police station because the police think they have done something illegal

article- a thing, especially one of a group of things

assistant- someone whose job is to help customers in a shop

detective- a police officer whose job is to discover information about crimes and catch criminals

especially- used to emphasize that something is more important or happens more with one particular thing than with others

find out- to get information, after trying to discover it or by chance

hand- to give something to someone else with your hand

honest- someone who is honest always tells the truth and does not cheat or steal

once- at some time in the past, but not now

parcel- an object that has been wrapped in paper or put in a special envelope, especially so that it can be sent by post

steal- to take something that belongs to someone else

temptation- a strong desire to have or do something even though you know you should not

well-dressed- wearing attractive fashionable clothes

wrap (up)- to put paper or cloth over something to cover it

Collocations

the temptation to do something

greater than ever before

fewer than usual

after a little time

hand something to someone

wrap something up

as quickly as possible

without paying

find out that

once a week