Reporting What Somebody Said A short summary about crime and punishment vocabulary, common police interactions, and the structure of reported speech, explaining how to transform direct sentences into reported ones.

Reporting what somebody said

Summary of Vocabulary: Crime and Punishment

A Crime is an illegal activity (such as murder or theft), while a Punishment is the penalty imposed for committing it (such as a fine or time in prison).

Criminal Law deals with serious issues like murder, and Civil Law handles non-criminal matters like contracts or divorce. The Police primarily intervene in criminal cases.

Common Types of Crime:

Abduction / Kidnapping is taking a person away by force.

Armed robbery is theft using a weapon.

Arson is intentionally setting a fire.

Assault is attacking or causing physical harm.

Attempted murder is trying to kill someone (unsuccessfully).

Burglary / Breaking and entering is forcibly entering a property.

Child abuse is mistreatment of a child.

Domestic violence is physical violence within the home.

Common Types of Punishment:

A Traffic ticket is a fine for speeding or illegal parking.

License suspension is taking away a driving permit.

A Fine is a payment of money for a minor offense.

House arrest is confinement to one’s home for a period.

Community service is unpaid work as a penalty.

Key Police Interaction Phrases:

Suspect Questions:

Why did you pull me over?

Have I done something wrong?

What are my rights?

Can I call a lawyer?

Police Questions:

Are you carrying any illegal drugs?

Do you have a weapon?

Where were you at eight last night?

Police Orders:

You are under arrest.

Put your hands on your head.

Please get in the police car.

Reported Speech Structure:

This skill teaches how to change sentences from Direct Speech to Reported Speech to communicate what another person said.

Example:

Direct Speech: “A thief broke into the shop last night.”

Reported Speech: María said that a thief had broken into the shop last night and had stolen money.