B2 - Lesson 13

 

LESSON 3 — TRIALS, PUNISHMENT & CRIME PREVENTION

Focus: Courtroom vocabulary, punishment, rehabilitation, advanced collocations and passive forms with modals and reporting verbs.

1. Vocabulary: Court, punishment and prevention

Word / phrase	Transcription	Ukrainian	Example sentence
prosecution	/ˌprɒsɪˈkjuːʃən/	сторона обвинувачення	The prosecution called two witnesses.
defence counsel	/dɪˈfens ˈkaʊnsəl/	адвокат сторони захисту	Defence counsel challenged the evidence.
testimony	/ˈtestɪməni/	свідчення в суді	The witness's testimony was carefully examined.
cross-examination	/ˌkrɒs ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/	перехресний допит	The witness was questioned during cross-examination.
reasonable doubt	/ˌriːzənəbəl ˈdaʊt/	обґрунтований сумнів	The prosecution must meet the applicable standard of proof.
convict	/kənˈvɪkt/ (verb)	визнавати винним	He was convicted of fraud.
acquittal	/əˈkwɪtəl/	виправдання	The acquittal followed a lengthy trial.
appeal a verdict	/əˈpiːl ə ˈvɜːdɪkt/	оскаржити вердикт	The defence decided to appeal the verdict.
sentence	/ˈsentəns/	вирок; покарання	The judge imposed a sentence after considering the case.
imprisonment	/ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/	ув'язнення	The offence can carry a term of imprisonment.
fine	/faɪn/	штраф	He was ordered to pay a fine.
community service	/kəˈmjuːnəti ˈsɜːvɪs/	громадські роботи	The court ordered community service.
probation	/prəˈbeɪʃən/	пробаційний нагляд	She was placed on probation.
parole	/pəˈrəʊl/	умовно-дострокове звільнення	He may be considered for parole under the applicable rules.
rehabilitation	/ˌriːhəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/	реабілітація; виправлення	Rehabilitation programmes can support reintegration.
recidivism	/rɪˈsɪdɪvɪzəm/	рецидивна злочинність	Education may help reduce recidivism.
deterrent	/dɪˈterənt/	стримувальний чинник	Some people believe that a fine can act as a deterrent.
victim support	/ˈvɪktɪm səˈpɔːt/	підтримка потерпілих	Victim support services were expanded.
crime prevention	/ˈkraɪm prɪˌvenʃən/	запобігання злочинності	Crime prevention requires cooperation between communities and authorities.
corruption	/kəˈrʌpʃən/	корупція	The investigation exposed serious corruption.

2. Collocations for discussing justice

face criminal charges
постати перед кримінальним обвинуваченням
He may face criminal charges.

be found guilty
бути визнаним винним
The defendant was found guilty by the jury.

impose a sentence
призначити покарання
The judge imposed a sentence.

pay a fine
сплатити штраф
The driver was ordered to pay a fine.

serve time in prison
відбувати ув'язнення
He served time in prison for the offence.

reduce reoffending
зменшити повторні правопорушення
Training programmes may help reduce reoffending.

protect public safety
захищати громадську безпеку
These measures are intended to protect public safety.

rehabilitate offenders
сприяти виправленню правопорушників
Some programmes aim to rehabilitate offenders.

uphold the law
підтримувати дотримання закону
Courts are expected to uphold the law.

bring someone to justice
притягнути когось до відповідальності
The investigation aimed to bring the offender to justice.

3. Idioms and advanced expressions

Expression	Ukrainian meaning	Example sentence
serve as a warning	слугувати застереженням	The sentence was intended to serve as a warning to others.
face the consequences	зіткнутися з наслідками	Anyone who breaks the rules must face the consequences.
get off lightly	отримати надто м'яке покарання	Some people felt that the offender had got off lightly.
the scales of justice	терези правосуддя; символ справедливості	The scales of justice should not be influenced by public pressure.
above the law	поза законом; такий, кому закон не указ	No public official should be above the law.
a miscarriage of justice	судова помилка; несправедливе правосуддя	New evidence revealed a possible miscarriage of justice.
the letter of the law	буквальне формулювання закону	The decision followed the letter of the law.
take the law into your own hands	самочинно чинити правосуддя	People should report crimes rather than take the law into their own hands.

4. Grammar — Advanced passive structures

A. Passive with modal verbs

Structure: modal + be + past participle
The evidence must be protected.
The offender could be given community service.
The rules should be reviewed.

B. Perfect modal passive

Structure: modal + have been + past participle
The evidence should have been collected earlier.
The suspect might have been misidentified.
The documents could have been destroyed.

Use these forms to discuss possible past events, criticism or missed opportunities.

C. Reporting passive

It is said that… the law needs reform.
The law is said to… need reform.
It is believed that… the suspect acted alone.
The suspect is believed to have acted alone.

Use to have + past participle when the reported action happened before the reporting belief or statement.

D. Have / get something done

This structure describes arranging for someone else to do something for you. It is not the same as a normal passive.

• The shop had its security system installed. — Магазину встановили систему безпеки.
• The council is having the streetlights repaired. — Міська рада організовує ремонт вуличного освітлення.

E. Passive infinitives and gerunds

• to be + V3: The evidence needs to be examined.
• being + V3: He denied being involved in the crime.
• having been + V3: Having been warned before, the company changed its procedures.

Common mistake: “The suspect might been arrested” is incorrect. Say “The suspect might have been arrested.” After a modal, use be for the ordinary passive and have been for a perfect modal passive.

5. Advanced passive test — Choose the best option

1. The evidence should ______ before the trial.

have been checked has been checked been checking

2. The defendant is believed ______ the country.

to leave yesterday to have left having leave

3. The security cameras need ______.

to be replaced be replace to replacing

4. He denied ______ involved in the incident.

be being to been

5. The suspect might ______ incorrectly identified.

have been had been be have

6. The town is having new streetlights ______.

install installed installing by

6. Crime and punishment — Discussion reading

Should prison always be the answer?

Prison is often used to punish serious offences and protect the public. Supporters argue that imprisonment can prevent offenders from committing further crimes while they are in custody. It can also express society's condemnation of harmful behaviour.

However, imprisonment can be expensive, and it does not automatically address the causes of offending. Some people leave prison without stable housing, employment or support. If these problems are not addressed, the risk of reoffending may remain high.

Alternative measures, such as community service, probation and rehabilitation programmes, may be appropriate for certain offences and offenders. Such measures can require offenders to take responsibility while helping them develop skills and rebuild their lives.

Victims also need to be considered. Access to support, protection and clear information can be important parts of the justice process. Ultimately, punishment policies involve difficult questions about accountability, public safety, fairness, cost and rehabilitation.

1. Which statement best summarises the text?

Prison is always the best solution. Punishment policy involves several competing considerations. Victims should never receive support.

2. What is one possible benefit of rehabilitation?

It guarantees that nobody reoffends. It can help offenders develop skills and rebuild their lives. It removes the need for a justice system.

3. Which word means “the act of committing another crime after a previous offence”?

rehabilitation acquittal reoffending

7. Debate — What is a fair punishment?

Choose one topic and prepare a short argument with at least two reasons and one counterargument.

• Should first-time offenders be treated differently from repeat offenders?
• Should community service be used more often for non-violent offences?
• Does a longer prison sentence always deter crime?
• Should rehabilitation be a central aim of the justice system?
• How should the law respond to cybercrime?

Useful B2 language:

• From my perspective,…
• One argument in favour of this approach is…
• Critics might argue that…
• It could be argued that…
• Although this measure may…, it could also…
• Ultimately, the decision should depend on…

FINAL CHALLENGE — SOLVE THE CASE 🕵️

Use your vocabulary and passive voice knowledge to analyse a fictional case. Read carefully: some information is uncertain.

Case file: The Gallery Incident

A painting disappeared from a gallery during an evening event. The gallery was closed to the public at 9 p.m. The alarm was activated at 9:15 p.m., but a staff member reported seeing an open side door at approximately 9:10 p.m.

A security guard, Alex, was questioned because Alex was working nearby. Alex said that a delivery had arrived at 9:05 p.m. and that the side door had been opened to move some boxes. A delivery record confirms that a delivery was scheduled, but it does not establish who opened the door.

Investigators found a damaged lock and collected fingerprints from a display case. The fingerprints have not yet been matched to an identified individual. The gallery's insurance company has requested an update, and the police have asked the public not to share unverified claims.

Your task: choose the most accurate answers, then write a short formal case update.

1. Which fact is confirmed in the case file?

Alex stole the painting. A delivery was scheduled for 9:05 p.m. The fingerprints belong to Alex.

2. Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?

Fingerprints have been collected from a display case. Fingerprints have collected from a display case. Fingerprints has been collected.

3. Which phrase means “to examine or investigate all available facts”?

get off lightly gather and examine evidence serve a sentence

4. What is the fairest conclusion?

Alex must be guilty because Alex was nearby. The delivery record proves who opened the door. More evidence is needed before responsibility can be established.

5. Complete the sentence: “The fingerprints should ______ before any conclusion is reached.”

be analysed analysed have analysing

Final writing task — A formal police update

Write 100–150 words summarising the gallery incident in a neutral, professional style.

Your report must include:

• At least five passive voice sentences.
• One Present Perfect passive sentence.
• One passive sentence with a modal verb.
• At least six words or collocations from the course.
• A clear distinction between confirmed facts and unproven allegations.

Write your report:

Model answer — open after writing your own

A painting was reported missing from a gallery after an evening event. The gallery was closed to the public at 9 p.m., and an open side door was reported shortly afterwards. A delivery had been scheduled for 9:05 p.m., according to the available record. However, the record does not establish who opened the door.

A damaged lock was found, and fingerprints have been collected from a display case. The fingerprints have not yet been matched to an identified individual. The security guard was questioned because they had been working nearby, but no conclusion about their responsibility can be drawn from this fact alone. The evidence should be analysed before any further conclusions are reached. The investigation is ongoing, and the public has been asked not to circulate unverified claims.

Course completion checklist

I can explain key crime and court vocabulary. I can use crime-related collocations and idioms. I can form passive sentences in several tenses. I can use modal passive and reporting structures. I can discuss punishment and rehabilitation at B2 level. I can write a neutral case report without assuming guilt.

0 of 6 skills completed

Homework

Write an opinion essay of 180–220 words:

“Some people believe that stricter punishments are the best way to reduce crime. Others think that prevention and rehabilitation are more effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

Include at least:

• Five passive structures.
• Eight crime-related vocabulary items or collocations.
• Two linking expressions, such as however, whereas, nevertheless or as a result.
• One counterargument and a clear conclusion.