Work in groups of four. There was an armed raid on a security van outside Barclays Bank, Newtown, today. A reporter is interviewing three witnesses.
Student A Mr. Clarke, a reporter
Interview the three witnesses (PC Chris Green; Liz Leigh, a secretary; and Kevin Billings, a hospital porter). From their accounts prepare a report of the crime, giving the facts and quoting the witnesses where relevant.
Before the interview, you made the notes below to help you.
· when/happen
· where/you
· what/you do
· how many robbers
· what/they/look like
· what/they/do
· any other details
Student B PC Chris Green
You took part in chasing the robbers. Tell the reporter what you saw/heard/felt, answer his questions, giving the following details:
about 11.17 am/hear on our car radio/ security van/ hijack/as it/unload at Barclays Bank in Albion Road
immediately rush to the scene/ just in time to see/the security guards/lock into their own van by two men in grey balaclavas
they/leap into a white Ford Escort/ drop at least two bags
there/be/a third man behind the wheel/ they/drive off at great speed
we/ give chase/ but the guy in the back/start/ shoot at us
we/ unarmed/can’t/return the shots
one shot/ narrowly miss PC Dixon, the radio operator/ as they/ turn a corner/another shot /hit me in the right leg
I only just managed/ stop the car/ pull over to the kerb
I/not remember anything after that — I/black out
Student C Liz Leigh, a secretary
You witnessed the robbery. Tell the reporter what you saw/heard/felt, answer his questions, giving the following details:
I/come out of the bank/ put my money into my purse/ when I/hear this crash
it /just after 11.00/because I/slip out of the office in my coffee break
I/look up/see this white car/crash into the front of the security van
three men/get out
two of them/wear balaclavas/ but they/young
one/wear jeans/ the other/wear/a black leather jacket/ trainers
I/not get a good look at the third one/I/back into the doorway of the bank
they/yell, 'Get out! get out!' at the driver of the van/he obviously/not move fast enough/ they/open the door/drag him out/hold a gun at his head/while he/open the back of the van
they/go wild/shove him and his partner in the back/while they/grab at the bags of money
there/ bags of money all over the street
they/hear the police siren/start/scream at each other, 'Get a move on!'/drop even more money about the place
I/ terrified/ they/notice me/ point the gun at me
when the police/arrive/they/drive off
I think I/hear some shots from down the street
I/ stunned/I/get the number of the car
it/B180 VHS
Student D Kevin Billings, a hospital porter
You saw the robbers. Tell the reporter what you saw/heard/felt, answer his questions, giving the following details:
I/not know/what/happen
I/think/they/ make a film at first
I/come round the corner/ this fellow/barge into me/ knock me over
he/carry a shotgun/he/fire it into the air/at the same time shout, 'Keep down or I'll shoot you!'
he/in his forties/graying/he/have a Scottish accent
that's when I/realize/it/not a film
I/really think/I/die
He/keep his foot on top of me/while his mates/rush past into a car
I/have my head down on the pavement
I/can't see anything/I/keep/expect a final shot in the head
I/hear sirens/ doors/bang/ tyres/screech/ they were gone
I/hear shots/fire then, but down the road. Two, I think.
I/feel really lucky/be alive.'
/Adapted from Headway English Course. Advanced Workbook. John and Liz Soars/
