In an unusual case that has grabbed a lot of attention, an 18-carat gold toilet called “America,” made by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in September 2019. This one-of-a-kind piece of art weighed about 98 kilograms and was insured for a whopping $6 million (£4.75 million). During a trial at Oxford Crown Court, the prosecution shared these details to show just how bold the theft was and how valuable the artwork is.

The theft happened early on September 14, 2019, when a group of thieves with sledgehammers broke into Blenheim Palace, which is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The prosecution said that the burglars took the gold toilet in just five minutes. This toilet was not just a piece of art; it was also fully functional, which made it even more special and valuable. At the time it was stolen, the gold alone was estimated to be worth around £2.8 million.

Michael Jones, a 39-year-old from Oxford, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft. He is joined by two other defendants, Frederick Sines (also known as Frederick Doe) and Bora Guccuk, who have denied conspiracy charges about the stolen property. The court learned that the thieves left their sledgehammers behind, showing that they were in a hurry but had planned the operation well.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC explained how the burglary was carefully planned. The thieves arrived at Blenheim Palace in two stolen cars, drove past locked gates, and went straight to where the toilet was located. They broke down the door to the bathroom and took the toilet, causing water to spill everywhere as they escaped. Even though the crime was bold, the gold toilet has never been found. Prosecutor Christopher believes it was taken apart and sold in smaller pieces. One of the defendants, James Sheen, has already admitted to burglary and conspiracy charges, which means the investigation is still going on. The trial continues as jurors look at the evidence and witness statements about this strange theft.

Original news source: Thieves stole £2.8m gold toilet at Blenheim Palace in just five minutes, court hears (Sky News)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: In groups, students will take turns acting out different phrases related to the article without speaking. Examples include “gold toilet,” “Blenheim Palace,” and “thieves with sledgehammers.” The rest of the group will guess the phrases.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will discuss the question, “Is art more valuable as a functional object or a purely aesthetic one?” They will take a poll in class, share their opinions, and briefly explain their reasoning to their peers.

– ARTICLE TIMELINE
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a timeline of the key events from the article. They should identify at least five major events and write them in chronological order on a piece of paper, then share their timelines with the class.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in small groups to come up with a catchy headline for the article. They should aim to summarize the key points of the theft in a creative and engaging way, then present their headlines to the class.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: Individually or in pairs, students will create a mind map about the article. They should include the main topic (the theft of the gold toilet) and branch out to include details such as the location, the thieves, the value of the toilet, and the ongoing investigation. Afterward, they can share their mind maps with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the gold toilet that was stolen from Blenheim Palace?
2. How much was the gold toilet insured for, and how much did the gold itself weigh?
3. What unique feature made the stolen toilet more valuable than just being a piece of art?
4. Describe how the thieves executed the theft at Blenheim Palace.
5. Who are the three defendants involved in the trial, and what charges have they denied?
6. What evidence did the prosecution present to show that the theft was planned?
7. What happened to the toilet after it was stolen, according to Prosecutor Julian Christopher?
8. How is the trial progressing, and what has one of the defendants admitted to?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In an unusual case that has grabbed a lot of attention, an 18-carat gold toilet called “America,” made by Italian artist Maurizio (1)______, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in (2)______ 2019. This one-of-a-kind piece of art weighed about 98 kilograms and was insured for a whopping $6 million (£4.75 million). During a trial at Oxford Crown Court, the prosecution shared these details to show just how bold the (3)______ was and how (4)______ the artwork is.

The theft happened early on September 14, 2019, when a (5)______ of thieves with (6)______ broke into Blenheim Palace, which is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The prosecution said that the burglars took the gold (7)______ in just five minutes. This toilet was not just a piece of art; it was also fully (8)______, which made it even more special and valuable. At the time it was stolen, the gold alone was estimated to be worth around £2.8 million.

Michael Jones, a 39-year-old from Oxford, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft. He is joined by two (9)______ defendants, Frederick Sines (also known as Frederick Doe) and Bora (10)______, who have denied conspiracy charges about the stolen (11)______. The court learned that the thieves left their sledgehammers behind, showing that they were in a hurry but had planned the operation well.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC explained how the burglary was carefully planned. The thieves (12)______ at Blenheim Palace in two stolen cars, drove past locked gates, and went straight to where the toilet was located. They broke down the door to the bathroom and took the toilet, causing water to spill everywhere as they (13)______. Even though the crime was bold, the gold toilet has never been found. Prosecutor Christopher believes it was taken apart and sold in smaller pieces. One of the defendants, James (14)______, has already admitted to (15)______ and (16)______ charges, which means the investigation is still going on. The trial continues as jurors look at the evidence and witness statements about this strange theft.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on art that is also functional, like the gold toilet in the article?
2. How would you feel if a piece of art you loved was stolen?
3. Do you think stealing art is different from stealing other valuable items? Why or why not?
4. What is a piece of art you would consider valuable?
5. How would you react if you were a witness to a bold crime like the one described?
6. Do you like the idea of having unusual art pieces in public places? Why or why not?
7. What do you think motivates people to steal valuable items like the gold toilet?
8. How would you feel if you were an artist and your work was stolen?
9. Do you think the punishment for theft should be different for art compared to other items? Why?
10. What is a famous artwork or sculpture you admire, and why do you like it?
11. How would you feel if you found out that a piece of art was actually worth millions?
12. Do you think the value of an artwork is determined by its materials or its meaning? Why?
13. What is your opinion on the idea of art being insured for such high amounts?
14. How would you react if you learned that a friend was involved in a crime like this?
15. Do you think this strange theft will change how people view art in the future? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. unusual
2. prosecution
3. bold
4. functional
5. defendants
6. conspiracy
7. burglary
8. carefully
9. gates
10. spill
11. escaped
12. investigation
13. jurors
14. evidence
15. statements

Meanings:
(A) Spoken or written accounts that describe an event or situation
(B) To accidentally let a liquid flow out of its container
(C) Working or operating; able to be used
(D) Not common or ordinary; different from what is usual
(E) People accused of a crime in a court case
(F) Information or facts that help prove something is true or false
(G) The process of trying to find out the truth about something
(H) A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful
(I) Barriers that can be opened or closed to control entry or exit
(J) Got away from a place where you were being held or trapped
(K) The crime of breaking into a building to steal things
(L) The legal team that tries to prove someone is guilty in court
(M) Showing a willingness to take risks; daring
(N) Members of a jury who decide the outcome of a court case
(O) Done with attention and thought to avoid mistakes
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the 18-carat gold toilet that was stolen?
(a) Italy
(b) Churchill
(c) America
(d) Blenheim

2. Who created the gold toilet artwork?
(a) Banksy
(b) Damien Hirst
(c) Jeff Koons
(d) Maurizio Cattelan

3. How much was the gold toilet insured for?
(a) $6 million
(b) $4 million
(c) $2 million
(d) $1 million

4. When did the theft of the gold toilet occur?
(a) October 14, 2019
(b) September 14, 2019
(c) August 14, 2019
(d) November 14, 2019

5. How much did the gold in the toilet weigh?
(a) 50 kilograms
(b) 75 kilograms
(c) 100 kilograms
(d) 98 kilograms

6. Who is one of the defendants in the theft case?
(a) John Smith
(b) Michael Jones
(c) Robert Brown
(d) David White

7. What did the thieves leave behind at the scene of the crime?
(a) Gloves
(b) Masks
(c) Sledgehammers
(d) Tools

8. What did the prosecutor believe happened to the gold toilet after it was stolen?
(a) It was taken apart and sold in smaller pieces
(b) It was hidden in a secret location
(c) It was melted down for gold
(d) It was returned anonymously

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The theft took place on September 14, 2019, when a group of musicians broke in with sledgehammers.
2. The toilet was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.
3. The artwork weighed about 98 kilograms and was insured for $6 million.
4. The burglars managed to steal the toilet in just twenty minutes.
5. An 18-carat gold sink named “America” was stolen from Blenheim Palace in September 2019.
6. One of the defendants, James Sheen, has admitted to burglary and conspiracy charges.
7. The gold toilet has never been found, and it is believed to have been taken apart and sold in smaller pieces.
8. The gold toilet was not fully functional, making it even more unique and valuable.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What makes the gold toilet called “America” so special and valuable?
2. How did the thieves manage to steal the toilet so quickly?
3. What evidence did the prosecution present to show that the theft was well-planned?
4. What do you think happened to the gold toilet after it was stolen?
5. Why do you think this unusual theft gained a lot of attention from the public?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of the gold toilet that was stolen from Blenheim Palace?
The name of the gold toilet is “America.”

2. How much was the gold toilet insured for, and how much did the gold itself weigh?
The gold toilet was insured for $6 million (£4.75 million) and weighed about 98 kilograms.

3. What unique feature made the stolen toilet more valuable than just being a piece of art?
The stolen toilet was fully functional, which made it more valuable.

4. Describe how the thieves executed the theft at Blenheim Palace.
The thieves broke into Blenheim Palace with sledgehammers, took the toilet in just five minutes, and caused water to spill everywhere as they escaped.

5. Who are the three defendants involved in the trial, and what charges have they denied?
The three defendants are Michael Jones, Frederick Sines (also known as Frederick Doe), and Bora Guccuk. They have denied conspiracy charges related to the stolen property.

6. What evidence did the prosecution present to show that the theft was planned?
The prosecution presented evidence that the thieves arrived in two stolen cars, drove past locked gates, and had sledgehammers with them, indicating that the operation was well-planned.

7. What happened to the toilet after it was stolen, according to Prosecutor Julian Christopher?
According to Prosecutor Julian Christopher, the toilet was likely taken apart and sold in smaller pieces.

8. How is the trial progressing, and what has one of the defendants admitted to?
The trial is ongoing as jurors review evidence and witness statements. One of the defendants, James Sheen, has admitted to burglary and conspiracy charges.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Cattelan
(2) September
(3) theft
(4) valuable
(5) group
(6) sledgehammers
(7) toilet
(8) functional
(9) other
(10) Guccuk
(11) property
(12) arrived
(13) escaped
(14) Sheen
(15) burglary
(16) conspiracy
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. unusual
Answer: (D) Not common or ordinary; different from what is usual

2. prosecution
Answer: (L) The legal team that tries to prove someone is guilty in court

3. bold
Answer: (M) Showing a willingness to take risks; daring

4. functional
Answer: (C) Working or operating; able to be used

5. defendants
Answer: (E) People accused of a crime in a court case

6. conspiracy
Answer: (H) A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful

7. burglary
Answer: (K) The crime of breaking into a building to steal things

8. carefully
Answer: (O) Done with attention and thought to avoid mistakes

9. gates
Answer: (I) Barriers that can be opened or closed to control entry or exit

10. spill
Answer: (B) To accidentally let a liquid flow out of its container

11. escaped
Answer: (J) Got away from a place where you were being held or trapped

12. investigation
Answer: (G) The process of trying to find out the truth about something

13. jurors
Answer: (N) Members of a jury who decide the outcome of a court case

14. evidence
Answer: (F) Information or facts that help prove something is true or false

15. statements
Answer: (A) Spoken or written accounts that describe an event or situation
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the 18-carat gold toilet that was stolen?
Answer: (c) America

2. Who created the gold toilet artwork?
Answer: (d) Maurizio Cattelan

3. How much was the gold toilet insured for?
Answer: (a) $6 million

4. When did the theft of the gold toilet occur?
Answer: (b) September 14, 2019

5. How much did the gold in the toilet weigh?
Answer: (d) 98 kilograms

6. Who is one of the defendants in the theft case?
Answer: (b) Michael Jones

7. What did the thieves leave behind at the scene of the crime?
Answer: (c) Sledgehammers

8. What did the prosecutor believe happened to the gold toilet after it was stolen?
Answer: (a) It was taken apart and sold in smaller pieces
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The theft took place on September 14, 2019, when a group of musicians broke in with sledgehammers. (Answer: False)
2. The toilet was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. (Answer: True)
3. The artwork weighed about 98 kilograms and was insured for $6 million. (Answer: True)
4. The burglars managed to steal the toilet in just twenty minutes. (Answer: False)
5. An 18-carat gold sink named “America” was stolen from Blenheim Palace in September 2019. (Answer: False)
6. One of the defendants, James Sheen, has admitted to burglary and conspiracy charges. (Answer: True)
7. The gold toilet has never been found, and it is believed to have been taken apart and sold in smaller pieces. (Answer: True)
8. The gold toilet was not fully functional, making it even more unique and valuable. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧