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Level 2: Pre-Intermediate >> Conversation Materials/Surveys/Pairwork Activities >> Can be used to practice past simple and past continuous. Students work in pairs to reconstruct an alibi given by a suspect by asking questions to complete their versions.

Student A

London Police Station - Transcript of Witness Interview:

Anthony Jones

Policeman: OK, Mr. Jones. Now just tell us what happened last night and what you were doing between 7 o'clock and 10 o'clock.

Mr. Jones: Well, at 7 o´clock I was (where?) ________________ and I was watching a film called 'Last Chance in Bandit County'. I was sitting next to (who?) ____________ who was wearing a yellow dress. Just after the film started, she (what?) __________________ so I'm sure she will remember me.

The film finished at about 7.30pm and I left the cinema (when?) _______________ later.

Policeman: Why?

Mr. Jones: Because I was seeing what films were on for next week. Anyway, when I got outside into the street, it (what/weather?) _______________ and so I decided to go to a bar. As I was walking to the bar a friend telephoned me on my mobile phone so I stood in a shop doorway to speak to him for a short time.

Policeman: What shop was it?

Mr. Jones: Oh. I think it was a (what?) _________shop. It was called Travers or Trovers or something. I went into the bar at about ten to eight. As I walked in, there were only 2 customers there and they were (what?) _________________________. The barman was watching television also! I ordered a pint of beer and sat down near (where?) ___________.

Policeman: So will these three people remember you being there?

Mr. Jones: Oh yes. As I was drinking my beer, the barman was talking to me about the weather and the football match on Saturday. I left the pub at (what time?) ______________ and went to find my car. When I arrived at my car, there were 2 teenagers leaning on my car talking so I shouted at them to get off. They'll remember me!! I drove home while listening to the radio and got home at about (what time?) ____________________.

Policeman: Who did you see at home?

Mr. Jones: When I arrived home, my wife was cooking dinner and my two sons were (what?) _______________________ in the living room. We all ate dinner together and that finished at about 10 o'clock. Now I really must telephone my lawyer...

Student B

London Police Station - Transcript of Witness Interview:

Anthony Jones

Policeman: OK, Mr. Jones. Now just tell us what happened last night and what you were doing between 7 o'clock and 10 o'clock.

Mr. Jones: Well, at 7 o'clock I was in the Empire cinema and I was watching a film called (what?) __________________. I was sitting next to an old woman who was wearing (what?) _______________. Just after the film started, she asked me the time so I'm sure she will remember me.

The film finished at about (what time?) __________ and I left the cinema about 10 minutes later.

Policeman: Why?

Mr. Jones: Because (why?) ________________________________________. Anyway, when I got outside into the street, it was raining and so I decided to go to a bar. As I was walking to the bar a friend (what?) ___________________________so I stood in a shop doorway to speak to him for a short time.

Policeman: What shop was it?

Mr. Jones: Oh. I think it was a book shop. It was called Travers or Trovers or something. I went into the bar at about (what time?) _________________. As I walked in, there were only 2 customers there and they were playing pool in the corner. The barman was (what?) __________________ also! I ordered a pint of beer and sat down near the jukebox.

Policeman: So will these three people remember you being there?

Mr. Jones: Oh yes. As I was drinking my beer, the barman (what?) ________________ _________________________________. I left the pub at about 9 o'clock and went to find my car. When I arrived at my car, there were 2 teenagers (what?) _____________________ so I shouted at them to get off. They'll remember me!! I drove home while listening to the radio and got home at about 9.30.

Policeman: Who did you see at home?

Mr. Jones: When I arrived home, my wife was (what?) _______________ and my two sons were playing a computer game in the living room. We all ate dinner together and that finished at about (what time?) ______________. Now I really must telephone my lawyer...