50. Keeping a Watchful Eye

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[adapted from New Success at First Certificate Workbook by  Michael Duckworth and Kathy Gude]

 

The ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme all started a few years ago in the village of Mollington after a number of burglaries in the village and surrounding area. The residents in the village came up with the idea that maybe they themselves could keep an eye on their neighbours’ property while they were away on holiday. Since then, and with the support of the government and police, more than 50,000 ‘Neigh­bourhood Watch’ schemes have been set up all over the country.

The object of each ‘Watch’ group is to reduce the opportunities that criminals have in any particular street or area. Each resident who is a member of the scheme agrees to call the police whenever they see something suspicious. Everything is done calmly and discreetly – it is the police who actually check out each report and investigate what is happening. Residents who are part of the watch are not supposed to act as police or put themselves in any danger.

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When a new neighbourhood watch scheme is set up in an area, the first thing people notice is the large, brightly coloured ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ sign. This is a great deterrent to any burglars or vandals, because very few of them will take a chance of breaking into a house if they know that there is a high risk of being seen by caring neighbours keeping a lookout. Burglars also know that people who are part of ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ schemes are probably more likely to have fitted good locks to their doors and windows.

There’s another benefit too. In the comparatively short time ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ schemes have been in existence, there is growing evidence of a new community spirit. It is bringing people together as never before, and encouraging people to care for one another. New friendships are made, and contact is often established with old people living on their own, who are often the most frightened and the most at risk.

Find a word or phrase in the passage which means:

1.      strange, not quite right                 

2.    carefully and without people noticing

3.    people who live in a place

4.    something which stops you doing something

5.     people who destroy or damage things for no reason

6.    watching carefully                                  

Read the passage again and choose the best answer.

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1                     The ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ scheme in Mollington was started

 A because the police could not protect people.

 B before any others in the country.

 C after 50,000 burglaries in the area.

 D because some residents wanted to go away for holidays.

2                    When members of a ‘Watch’ group see suspicious individuals, they

A try and frighten them away.

B contact the police.

C try and arrest them.

D call the other members of the ‘Watch’ group.

3                    When a ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ group starts in an area,

A people fit new locks to their door and windows.

B the police send fewer officers to the area.

C burglars are less likely to break into houses.

D residents put signs on their doors.

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4                   One other benefit of ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ schemes is that

A people get to know each other better.

B members of the ‘Watch’ look after old people.

C different kinds of people are attracted to live in the area.

D old people are no longer frightened of crime.

Reported Speech: Questions

Peter Jackson has been stopped by a customs officer at the airport. Complete the dialogue by writing the customs officer's questions.

Officer: Good afternoon, sir. (1)...?

Peter: Jackson, Peter Jackson. It's on the passport, if you'd care to look.

Officer: No need to be like that, sir. Now, (2)...?

Peter: From Switzerland

Officer: (3)...?

Peter: I'm British. Actually, it says that on the passport, too.

Officer: (4)...?

Peter: No, nothing to declare. Just the 200 cigarettes and a bottle of gin.

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Officer: (5)...?

Peter: Yes, I packed everything myself.

Officer: (6)...?

Peter: Yes, of course you can, but you won't find anything.

Officer: (7)...?

Peter: In those bottles? Um ... er... I think those six bottles have got er ... a little bit of brandy in them. Sorry.

Officer: (8)...?

Peter: I didn't declare them because I'd completely forgotten about them. I really am most terribly sorry.

Now write out the customs officer's questions in reported speech. The first one has been done for you.

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Remember: the word order usually changes, use if or whether when there is no question word

a The officer asked him what his name was.

b He wanted to know...       

c Then he asked...       

d He asked...      

e He wondered...         

f He asked...                

g He wanted to know...        

h He demanded...

Key

Words / phrases in the passage   

1.      Suspicious – 2. Discreetly – 3. Residents – 4. Deterrent – 5. Vandals – 6. Keeping a lookout

Multiple Choice Test

1.      B – 2. B – 3. C – 4. A

Reported Speech: Questions

1.      What is/What's your name?

2.    Where have you come from?

3.    What nationality are you?

4.    Have you got anything to declare?

5.     Did you pack everything yourself?

6.    Can I have a look in your case?

7.     What's in these bottles?

8.    Why didn't you declare them?

and Answers

a…what his name was.

b…where he had come from.

c…what nationality he was.

d...if he had anything to declare.

e...if he had packed everything himself.

f...if he could have a look in his case.

g…what was in the bottles.

h…why he hadn't declared them.