B1 – Intermediate
They are creamy and sweet. They make people feel happiness and pleasure. These things make chocolates a popular choice of sweets.
In the UK, it seems chocolates have become a favorite item of thieves. Store owners have to find a way to stop this problem.
Read the article UK stores locking up chocolate to stop theft.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2603/260309-chocolate-shoplifting-5.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is a “shoplifter”? “Shops in the UK are going to extreme lengths to stop shoplifters from stealing chocolate.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “to go to extreme lengths” mean? “Shops in the UK are going to extreme lengths to stop shoplifters from stealing chocolate.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “to end up in court” mean? “In London, only five per cent of these ended up in the courts.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- How is chocolate theft a “massive issue” for shops in the UK?
- What do you think about the solution to put products that thieves commonly steal in plastic security boxes? How can it affect sales?
- How would you feel if you have to ask a store staff to unlock the box to buy an item at a store? Do you think it will affect your interest in buying that product?
- Why do you think chocolate is now a target by thieves and has become high value product especially in the black market?
- “There were more than 5.5 million reported incidents of shoplifting in the UK last year. In London, only five per cent of these ended up in the courts.” What do you think should the punishment for shoplifting?
- What are your thoughts on this, “There are 1,600 violent attacks against shop workers every day.“?