A judge in Michigan has a new idea for people who steal from stores. If someone takes things without paying, they have to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot. This is to help stop people from stealing and to help the community. The judge thinks this will make people think twice before stealing. Walmart will give the water and things needed for washing the cars.

The judge started this plan in a town near Detroit. He thinks about 75 to 100 people will wash cars in the spring. The judge was surprised by how many people steal from stores. He hopes that washing cars in public will make people not want to steal. Local leaders like this idea and think it might help stop stealing.

Original news source: Michigan judge sentences Walmart shoplifters to wash cars in the parking lot (AP News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out the actions related to the article, such as “washing a car,” “stealing,” or “judging.” The other students will guess what they are acting out.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will walk around the classroom and ask their classmates if they think washing cars is a good idea for people who steal. They will record their classmates’ opinions and share the results with the class.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Students will draw key vocabulary words from the article, such as “judge,” “steal,” “wash,” and “community.” Their classmates will guess the word based on their drawings.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Students will think about whether they agree with the judge’s idea or not. They will pair up with a partner to discuss their thoughts for a few minutes before sharing their opinions with the whole class.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In groups, students will create a catchy headline for the article. They will write it on a piece of paper and share it with the rest of the class, explaining why they chose that headline.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the judge want people to do if they steal from stores?
2. Where do people wash cars if they take things without paying?
3. Why does the judge think washing cars is a good idea?
4. How many people does the judge think will wash cars in the spring?
5. What city is the judge’s plan near?
6. Who helps give water and things for washing the cars?
7. Do local leaders like the judge’s idea?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A judge in Michigan has a new idea for people who steal from stores. If someone takes (1)______ without paying, they (2)______ to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot. This is to help stop people from stealing and to help the community. The judge thinks this will (3)______ people think twice before stealing. Walmart will give the (4)______ and things needed for (5)______ing the cars.

The judge started this plan in a town near Detroit. He thinks about 75 to 100 (6)______ will wash cars in the spring. The judge was surprised by how many people steal from stores. He hopes that washing cars in public will make people not want to steal. (7)______ (8)______ like this idea and think it might help stop stealing.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is stealing?
2. Do you think stealing is bad? Why?
3. How would you feel if someone stole your toy?
4. What is a judge?
5. Do you like washing cars? Why or why not?
6. How would you feel if you had to wash cars for stealing?
7. Do you think washing cars can help people? Why?
8. What is a Walmart?
9. Have you ever helped in your community? What did you do?
10. Do you think people should help others if they do something wrong? Why?
11. How do you think the judge feels about stealing?
12. Do you think this plan will stop stealing? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. judge
2. steal
3. parking lot
4. community
5. surprised
6. leaders
7. plan
8. public
9. local
10. idea

Meanings:
(A) A place where everyone can see
(B) Nearby or in the same area
(C) A group of people living in the same area
(D) A place where cars are kept when not being used
(E) Feeling when something happens that you didn’t expect
(F) A person who decides what is right or wrong in a court
(G) A thought or suggestion about what to do
(H) To take something that is not yours
(I) People who guide or are in charge of others
(J) A thought about how to do something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What does the judge want people to do if they steal?
(a) Clean houses
(b) Cook food
(c) Wash cars
(d) Plant trees

2. Where do people wash cars if they steal?
(a) School parking lot
(b) Home garage
(c) Walmart parking lot
(d) Park

3. What does Walmart give for washing cars?
(a) Food and drinks
(b) Water and soap
(c) Toys and games
(d) Clothes and shoes

4. How many people does the judge think will wash cars?
(a) 75 to 100
(b) 50 to 70
(c) 10 to 20
(d) 200 to 300

5. Where did the judge start this plan?
(a) Near Chicago
(b) Near New York
(c) Near Miami
(d) Near Detroit

6. What does the judge hope washing cars will do?
(a) Help people find jobs
(b) Stop people from stealing
(c) Make people happy
(d) Teach people to cook

7. Who likes the judge’s idea?
(a) Local leaders
(b) Children
(c) Animals
(d) Tourists

8. What is the judge’s new idea for stealing?
(a) Going to jail
(b) Paying money
(c) Writing a letter
(d) Washing cars in public

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The judge thinks many people will wash cars in spring.
2. Walmart will assist by providing water and supplies.
3. A judge in Michigan has a new idea for stealing.
4. Local leaders like the judge’s idea.
5. The judge hopes washing cars will encourage people to not steal.
6. If someone steals, they should wash cars.
7. The judge aims to prevent people from stealing.
8. People will wash cars in a Walmart parking lot.
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 does the judge want people to do if they steal from stores?
2. Where do people have to wash cars?
3. Why does the judge think washing cars will help?
4. How many people does the judge think will wash cars in the spring?
5. Do local leaders like the judge’s idea?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the judge want people to do if they steal from stores?
The judge wants people to wash cars.

2. Where do people wash cars if they take things without paying?
They wash cars in a Walmart parking lot.

3. Why does the judge think washing cars is a good idea?
He thinks it will help stop people from stealing.

4. How many people does the judge think will wash cars in the spring?
He thinks about 75 to 100 people will wash cars.

5. What city is the judge’s plan near?
The plan is near Detroit.

6. Who helps give water and things for washing the cars?
Walmart helps give water and things.

7. Do local leaders like the judge’s idea?
Yes, local leaders like the judge’s idea.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) things
(2) have
(3) make
(4) water
(5) wash
(6) people
(7) Local
(8) leaders
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. judge
Answer: (F) A person who decides what is right or wrong in a court

2. steal
Answer: (H) To take something that is not yours

3. parking lot
Answer: (D) A place where cars are kept when not being used

4. community
Answer: (C) A group of people living in the same area

5. surprised
Answer: (E) Feeling when something happens that you didn’t expect

6. leaders
Answer: (I) People who guide or are in charge of others

7. plan
Answer: (J) A thought about how to do something

8. public
Answer: (A) A place where everyone can see

9. local
Answer: (B) Nearby or in the same area

10. idea
Answer: (G) A thought or suggestion about what to do
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What does the judge want people to do if they steal?
Answer: (c) Wash cars

2. Where do people wash cars if they steal?
Answer: (c) Walmart parking lot

3. What does Walmart give for washing cars?
Answer: (b) Water and soap

4. How many people does the judge think will wash cars?
Answer: (a) 75 to 100

5. Where did the judge start this plan?
Answer: (d) Near Detroit

6. What does the judge hope washing cars will do?
Answer: (b) Stop people from stealing

7. Who likes the judge’s idea?
Answer: (a) Local leaders

8. What is the judge’s new idea for stealing?
Answer: (d) Washing cars in public
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The judge thinks many people will wash cars in spring. (Answer: True)
2. Walmart will assist by providing water and supplies. (Answer: False)
3. A judge in Michigan has a new idea for stealing. (Answer: True)
4. Local leaders like the judge’s idea. (Answer: True)
5. The judge hopes washing cars will encourage people to not steal. (Answer: False)
6. If someone steals, they should wash cars. (Answer: False)
7. The judge aims to prevent people from stealing. (Answer: False)
8. People will wash cars in a Walmart parking lot. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧