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WorksheetB225 minsNew. New: checked automatically for level, grammar, facts and originality; a teacher's review is still to come. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Who Took the Laptop? Witness role cards
Students interview witnesses to a café theft and then report what each person said, using reported speech and verbs like deny, admit, claim and insist.
Crime · Police · Witnesses · Role play · Speaking · Group work
Goes with:What Did the Witnesses Say? Reported speech (lesson plan)
This worksheet and its PDFs are free.
Work in groups of six. Step 1: detectives interview two witnesses each and take notes. Step 2: the detectives report the statements to each other with reporting verbs. Step 3: the group decides who took the laptop.
Detective A
A laptop was stolen at the Corner Café last night. Interview the owner and the customer. Note what they say, then report it to Detective B.
- Ask: Where were you at about nine?
- Report: She said that she had…
- Report: He claimed that…
Detective B
Interview the waiter and the cyclist about last night's theft. Note what they say, then report it to Detective A and agree on a suspect.
- Ask: Did you see anyone leave?
- Report: He denied taking…
- Report: She insisted that…
The café owner
Your statement: "I was behind the counter all evening. I saw a man in a red cap near the window table. He paid in cash and left in a hurry."
- Say: I'm sure that…
- Say: I didn't see…
The customer
Your statement: "I only left my laptop for two minutes. I've been coming here for years and nothing has ever been stolen. The waiter was acting strangely."
- Say: I've never…
- Say: I think he…
The waiter
The police think you might be the suspect. Deny it. Your statement: "I didn't take it. I was in the kitchen. OK, I left the back door open, but I always do."
- Deny: I didn't…
- Admit: I admit that…
- Insist: I'm telling the truth!
The cyclist
Your statement: "I was waiting outside. A man in a red cap ran past me with a bag. He was heading towards the station. I'll recognise him if I see him again."
- Say: I saw…
- Say: He was …ing
- Insist: I'm certain that…
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