Diamond Necklace

The Diamond Necklace 

Listen to the story fill in the blanks with the words you hear.

Detective Sandra Lewis came to the Gilded Palace Hotel to solve a ________. A special diamond necklace was ________, and it was last seen ________ a fancy party the night before. The owner, Mrs. Abigail Kensington, was very ________ and wanted answers.

Detective Lewis talked to the hotel ________ and guests to find out more. Mr. James Cooper, the ________ of security, said the security cameras stopped working ________ at 9 PM. The necklace was last seen ________ this time, when Mrs. Kensington was wearing it at the party.

A young hotel worker, Harry, said he saw someone ________ in the back hallways around 9:30 PM, but it was too dark to see clearly. Mrs. Kensington’s assistant, Clara, ________ that the necklace was supposed to be locked in the hotel safe ________. She had been busy with other ________ and asked Mr. Cooper to help, but Mr. Cooper did not follow up with Clara to ________ if it had been secured.

Some guests ________ a person in a caterer's uniform who didn't ________ like other staff members. One guest, Mr. Doherty, saw this person going ________ toward the service elevator at the end of the party.

Detective Lewis thought about all this ________. The thief used the busy party to ________ their actions.

Inference and Conclusion Questions:

1. Why do you think the security cameras stopped working, and who might have done it?

2. Why is the person in a caterer’s uniform important in the story?

3. What does it mean that Clara asked Mr. Cooper to help with the necklace, and he didn't check with her later?

4. What can we guess about the person Harry saw sneaking around the hotel?

5. Who do you think stole the necklace, and what makes you think that?

Discussion 

Teacher: Today, we'll talk about the mystery at the Gilded Palace Hotel. What do you think happened to the security cameras?

Student 1: I think someone turned them off. Maybe it was Mr. Cooper because he knows how they work.

Teacher: That's a good point. Why do we think the person in a caterer’s uniform is important?

Student 2: They were different from other staff. Maybe they dressed that way to steal the necklace and not get noticed.

Teacher: Yes, a clever disguise can help a thief. What about the necklace and Clara asking Mr. Cooper to help?

Student 3: Clara was busy, so Mr. Cooper was supposed to put it in the safe. But he didn't check if it was there. Maybe he forgot, or maybe it was part of the plan.

Teacher: Right, communication is important. What do you think about the person Harry saw?

Student 4: That person was sneaking around, maybe hoping no one would see them. They could be the thief.

Teacher: That's possible. So, who do you think took the necklace?

Student 5: I think it could be the caterer because of the strange uniform. But it also might be Mr. Cooper because he didn't check with Clara again.

Teacher: Good thoughts, everyone. Remember, in mysteries, we must consider all the clues and see how they fit together.

***

Expressing Certainty in the Past

Lisa: It's so ______ that Tom didn't come with us. He was really excited about this trip.

Jake: I know! He was the one who kept reminding us to book everything in ______. I wonder what happened.

Emma: He must have had a good reason. I can't imagine he'd just ______ us off without saying anything.

Lisa: Do you think he ______ have forgotten the date? It's not like him, but it's possible.

Jake: Maybe, but he should have at ______ called or texted. I hope everything's okay with him.

Emma: He could have had an emergency. Maybe something came up with his family that he couldn't ______.

Lisa: That's true. But if it was something serious, he would have ______ out to us somehow. 

Jake: You know, he might have misplaced his phone. It's been a while since he ______ that old thing.

Emma: Or he could have caught that nasty ______ that's going around. My cousin was bedridden for days with it.

Lisa: Poor Tom, if that's the ______. We should check on him tomorrow and make sure everything's alright.

Jake: Agreed. Let's send him a message and see if he ______. I hope it's nothing serious.