In a remarkable case that has captured public attention, an 18-carat gold toilet named “America,” created by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in September 2019. This unique piece of art, which weighed around 98 kilograms, was insured for an impressive $6 million (£4.75 million). The prosecution presented these details during a trial at Oxford Crown Court, highlighting the audacity of the theft and the value of the artwork.

The theft occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2019, when a group of thieves armed with sledgehammers broke into Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. According to the prosecution, the burglars managed to steal the gold toilet in a mere five minutes. The toilet was not only a work of art but also fully functional, adding to its uniqueness and value. At the time of the theft, the gold itself was estimated to be worth approximately £2.8 million.

Michael Jones, a 39-year-old from Oxford, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft. Alongside him, two other defendants, Frederick Sines, also known as Frederick Doe, and Bora Guccuk, have denied conspiracy charges linked to the transfer of stolen property. The court was informed that the thieves left their sledgehammers at the scene, indicating a hasty but well-planned operation.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC described how the burglary was meticulously orchestrated. The thieves arrived at Blenheim Palace in two stolen vehicles, bypassing locked gates and driving across the grounds. They knew exactly where to find the toilet, breaking down the door to the cubicle where it was installed. The entire operation was executed with precision, leaving water gushing from the broken pipes as they made their escape.

Despite the audacity of the crime, the gold toilet has never been recovered. Prosecutor Christopher indicated that it is believed the artwork was dismantled and sold off in smaller quantities. One of the defendants, James Sheen, has already pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy charges, suggesting that the investigation is ongoing. The trial continues as jurors examine the evidence and testimonies surrounding this extraordinary 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: Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns acting out key terms from the article without speaking, while their teammates guess the words. Terms can include “gold toilet,” “theft,” “Blenheim Palace,” and “prosecution.”

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose questions related to the article, such as “Do you think art should be insured for millions?” or “Is stealing art a serious crime?” Students will walk around the room asking their classmates for their opinions and tallying the results to share later.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Have students work in pairs to come up with catchy headlines for the article. They should focus on making it intriguing and informative. Afterward, they will share their headlines with the class.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a large piece of paper or whiteboard, students will create a mind map based on the article. They should start with the central idea (the theft of the gold toilet) and branch out into related topics, such as the artists involved, the location, and the court case details.

– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will write down three statements about the article: two that are true and one that is false. They will then share their statements with a partner, who must guess which one is the lie. Afterward, they can reveal the correct answer and discuss the details.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the gold toilet that was stolen from Blenheim Palace?
2. Who is the artist that created the 18-carat gold toilet?
3. How much was the gold toilet insured for?
4. What was the estimated value of the gold itself at the time of the theft?
5. Describe the method the thieves used to break into Blenheim Palace.
6. What actions did the prosecution take during the trial at Oxford Crown Court?
7. How did the thieves execute their operation according to Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC?
8. What is known about the current status of the gold toilet following the theft?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a remarkable case that has captured public attention, an 18-carat gold toilet named “America,” created by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was (1)______ from Blenheim Palace in September 2019. This unique piece of art, which weighed around 98 kilograms, was insured for an impressive $6 million (£4.75 million). The prosecution presented these details during a trial at Oxford (2)______ Court, highlighting the audacity of the (3)______ and the value of the artwork.

The theft occurred in the (4)______ hours of September 14, 2019, when a group of thieves armed with sledgehammers broke into Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. According to the (5)______, the burglars managed to steal the gold toilet in a mere five minutes. The toilet was not only a work of art but also fully (6)______, (7)______ to its uniqueness and value. At the time of the theft, the gold itself was estimated to be worth approximately £2.8 million.

Michael Jones, a 39-year-old from Oxford, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft. Alongside him, two other (8)______, Frederick Sines, also known as Frederick Doe, and Bora Guccuk, have denied conspiracy charges linked to the transfer of stolen property. The court was (9)______ that the thieves left their sledgehammers at the scene, indicating a hasty but well-planned operation.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC described how the burglary was meticulously orchestrated. The thieves arrived at Blenheim Palace in two stolen vehicles, bypassing locked gates and driving across the grounds. They knew exactly where to find the (10)______, (11)______ down the door to the (12)______ where it was installed. The entire operation was executed with precision, leaving water gushing from the broken pipes as they made their escape.

Despite the audacity of the crime, the gold toilet has never been (13)______. (14)______ Christopher indicated that it is believed the artwork was dismantled and sold off in smaller quantities. One of the defendants, James (15)______, has already (16)______ guilty to burglary and conspiracy charges, suggesting that the investigation is ongoing. The trial continues as jurors examine the evidence and testimonies surrounding this extraordinary 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 the value of art? Do you think it should be measured in monetary terms?

2. How would you feel if you were the owner of a valuable artwork that was stolen?

3. Do you think that functional art, like the gold toilet, is more or less valuable than traditional art? Why?

4. What is a memorable experience you have had related to art or creativity?

5. How do you think society reacts to thefts of high-value art pieces compared to everyday thefts?

6. Do you believe that art should be protected in the same way as other valuable items? Why or why not?

7. How would you feel if you were a witness to a crime like the one described in the article?

8. Do you think the audacity of the theft adds to the story of the artwork? Why or why not?

9. What is a unique piece of art you have encountered, and what impact did it have on you?

10. How do you think the media influences public perception of art thefts?

11. Do you like the idea of art being functional? Why or why not?

12. How would you feel if you had to pay a high price for an artwork that was later stolen?

13. Do you think the thieves had a clear understanding of the value of the gold toilet, or were they driven by something else? Why?

14. What is a lesson that society could learn from this theft about security measures for valuable items?

15. How do you think the trial and investigation will affect the perception of the artwork and its creator?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. remarkable
2. audacity
3. prosecution
4. conspiracy
5. meticulously
6. orchestrated
7. precision
8. dismantled
9. defendants
10. burglary
11. testimonies
12. extraordinary
13. insured
14. functional
15. jurors

Meanings:
(A) A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful
(B) Very unusual or remarkable
(C) The quality of being exact and accurate
(D) Covered by a policy to provide financial protection against loss or damage
(E) Designed to be practical and useful, rather than just attractive
(F) Individuals accused in a court of law
(G) Worthy of attention; striking
(H) The legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual in a criminal trial
(I) Taken apart into smaller pieces
(J) Boldness or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal safety
(K) Formal written or spoken statements given as evidence in a court of law
(L) Carefully arranged or planned
(M) Members of a jury, who are sworn to give a verdict in a legal case based on the evidence presented to them
(N) The act of illegally entering a building with the intent to commit a crime
(O) In a way that shows great attention to detail; very thoroughly
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the 18-carat gold toilet that was stolen?
(a) America
(b) Freedom
(c) Liberty
(d) Democracy

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

3. Where was the gold toilet stolen from?
(a) Buckingham Palace
(b) Blenheim Palace
(c) The Louvre
(d) The British Museum

4. How much was the gold toilet insured for?
(a) $4 million
(b) $8 million
(c) $6 million
(d) $5 million

5. How long did it take the thieves to steal the gold toilet?
(a) Ten minutes
(b) Five minutes
(c) Fifteen minutes
(d) Twenty minutes

6. What did the thieves use to break into Blenheim Palace?
(a) Crowbars
(b) Hammers
(c) Sledgehammers
(d) Screwdrivers

7. What was the estimated worth of the gold itself at the time of the theft?
(a) £2.8 million
(b) £3 million
(c) £1.5 million
(d) £4 million

8. Which defendant has already pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy charges?
(a) Michael Jones
(b) Frederick Sines
(c) Bora Guccuk
(d) James Sheen

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. A 24-carat gold toilet named “Europe” was taken from Blenheim Palace in September 2019.
2. The robbery occurred on September 14, 2019, when thieves entered Blenheim Palace with crowbars.
3. Michael Jones, one of the defendants, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft.
4. The gold toilet has never been recovered and is believed to have been dismantled and sold off in smaller quantities.
5. The gold toilet weighed around 98 ounces and was insured for $6 thousand.
6. The burglars managed to steal the gold toilet in approximately five minutes.
7. The piece was created by French artist Maurizio Cattelan.
8. The thieves left their sledgehammers at the scene of the crime.
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 details were presented by the prosecution regarding the theft of the gold toilet “America”?
2. How did the thieves manage to execute the burglary at Blenheim Palace so quickly?
3. What charges have been brought against Michael Jones and the other defendants in relation to the theft?
4. What does the prosecution believe happened to the stolen gold toilet after the theft?
5. How has the public reacted to the theft of such a unique piece of art?

✅ 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 that was stolen is “America.”

2. Who is the artist that created the 18-carat gold toilet?
The artist who created the 18-carat gold toilet is Maurizio Cattelan.

3. How much was the gold toilet insured for?
The gold toilet was insured for $6 million (£4.75 million).

4. What was the estimated value of the gold itself at the time of the theft?
The estimated value of the gold itself at the time of the theft was approximately £2.8 million.

5. Describe the method the thieves used to break into Blenheim Palace.
The thieves broke into Blenheim Palace by using sledgehammers to bypass locked gates and drove across the grounds in two stolen vehicles.

6. What actions did the prosecution take during the trial at Oxford Crown Court?
The prosecution presented details of the theft, including the audacity of the crime and the value of the artwork, during the trial at Oxford Crown Court.

7. How did the thieves execute their operation according to Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC?
The thieves executed their operation with precision, knowing exactly where to find the toilet, breaking down the door to the cubicle, and leaving water gushing from broken pipes as they escaped.

8. What is known about the current status of the gold toilet following the theft?
The gold toilet has never been recovered, and it is believed that it was dismantled and sold off in smaller quantities.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) stolen
(2) Crown
(3) theft
(4) early
(5) prosecution
(6) functional
(7) adding
(8) defendants
(9) informed
(10) toilet
(11) breaking
(12) cubicle
(13) recovered
(14) Prosecutor
(15) Sheen
(16) pleaded
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. remarkable
Answer: (G) Worthy of attention; striking

2. audacity
Answer: (J) Boldness or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal safety

3. prosecution
Answer: (H) The legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual in a criminal trial

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

5. meticulously
Answer: (O) In a way that shows great attention to detail; very thoroughly

6. orchestrated
Answer: (L) Carefully arranged or planned

7. precision
Answer: (C) The quality of being exact and accurate

8. dismantled
Answer: (I) Taken apart into smaller pieces

9. defendants
Answer: (F) Individuals accused in a court of law

10. burglary
Answer: (N) The act of illegally entering a building with the intent to commit a crime

11. testimonies
Answer: (K) Formal written or spoken statements given as evidence in a court of law

12. extraordinary
Answer: (B) Very unusual or remarkable

13. insured
Answer: (D) Covered by a policy to provide financial protection against loss or damage

14. functional
Answer: (E) Designed to be practical and useful, rather than just attractive

15. jurors
Answer: (M) Members of a jury, who are sworn to give a verdict in a legal case based on the evidence presented to them
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

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

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

3. Where was the gold toilet stolen from?
Answer: (b) Blenheim Palace

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

5. How long did it take the thieves to steal the gold toilet?
Answer: (b) Five minutes

6. What did the thieves use to break into Blenheim Palace?
Answer: (c) Sledgehammers

7. What was the estimated worth of the gold itself at the time of the theft?
Answer: (a) £2.8 million

8. Which defendant has already pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy charges?
Answer: (d) James Sheen
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. A 24-carat gold toilet named “Europe” was taken from Blenheim Palace in September 2019. (Answer: False)
2. The robbery occurred on September 14, 2019, when thieves entered Blenheim Palace with crowbars. (Answer: False)
3. Michael Jones, one of the defendants, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft. (Answer: True)
4. The gold toilet has never been recovered and is believed to have been dismantled and sold off in smaller quantities. (Answer: True)
5. The gold toilet weighed around 98 ounces and was insured for $6 thousand. (Answer: False)
6. The burglars managed to steal the gold toilet in approximately five minutes. (Answer: True)
7. The piece was created by French artist Maurizio Cattelan. (Answer: False)
8. The thieves left their sledgehammers at the scene of the crime. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧