Question

Read the text below. Match choices (A–H) to (17-21). There are three choices you do not need to use. Write your answers on the separate answer sheet.
A Life of Crime

1)___________________

It was hardly surprising that I ended up in prison. I’d been in and out of trouble all through my teenage years. In fact, I committed my first crime when I was only ten. I stole some stuff from our local corner shop. I used to hang out with kids who were older than me – mainly friends of my brother. I guess I wanted to impress them. They were always messing around, annoying the people who lived in the neighbourhood. They didn’t do anything serious but everyone knew who we were so if there was any trouble, they immediately called the police. My parents just didn’t know what to do with this. Then my brother moved to another town and for some time I was good. I went to school regularly and even tried to be a good student.


2)___________________

Then Jack moved in next door to us. Jack was my age but he wasn’t much bigger than me and I thought he was great – so did all the girls! But Jack was a bad boy and soon I was joining him when he went out. He always got away with things and never got caught. I, however, wasn’t as lucky as him. The first time I was caught, I was given 50 hours of community service.


3)___________________

The next time I got caught, the police weren’t as understanding and I was put on probation which meant that if I did something bad again, I would go to prison. By this time I was 18. I was also unemployed and had no money. My parents didn’t want me to live at home either because I was so difficult, so what could I do? I couldn’t think of any other way to make money.


4)___________________

It was only a matter of time until the police caught me. One night I broke into a large house in the centre of town. I knew that the owners were on holiday so I didn’t think anyone would be there, but I was wrong. And this time I was sent to prison.


5)___________________

I spent one year in prison. It was the worst year of my life. I knew that I never wanted to go back ‘inside’ so I joined several classes, took some exams and promised myself that I would change everything when I was free again. Now, ten years later, I spent a lot of my time visiting prisons, talking to the kids, showing them that a life of crime really doesn’t pay. But I’m one of the lucky ones.


A) My luck finally runs out.

B) Community service

C) A happy ending.

D) Crime pays.

E) What’s the alternative?

F) The early days.

G) Annoying neighbourhood.

H) A bad influence.

Answer 1

1) The early days.

2) A bad influence.

3) Community service.

4) My luck finally runs out.

5) A happy ending.