Story Timeline
Past Tense Repair
Detective Language
Evidence Vocabulary
Speak & Solve
100
First, the guard arrived at 8:00. Then the alarm rang at 8:10. Finally, everyone checked the gallery.
The guard arrived at 8:00. The alarm rang at 8:10. Retell the events using first, then, and finally.
100
The guard heard a strange noise.
Correct: The guard was hear a strange noise.
100
Example: The visitor might have entered through the garden door.
Use might have to give one possible explanation for the wet footprint.
100
An alibi is proof or a claim that a person was elsewhere; e.g., Her bus ticket supports her alibi.
Define alibi and use it in a sentence about a suspect.
100
Examples: What were you doing? Where did you go next? Why did you leave?
Ask a witness three follow-up questions that cannot be answered yes or no.
200
First, the lights went out. Next, Mia heard glass break. Then the guard called for help.
Put these events in a logical order and explain: the lights went out / Mia heard glass break / the guard called for help.
200
While Leo was looking at the map, the lights went out.
Correct: While Leo looked at the map, the lights went out.
200
Example: Sam cannot have taken the key because he was on camera outside.
Use cannot have to reject an impossible suspect.
200
A clue suggests what may have happened; evidence supports or proves a conclusion.
Explain the difference between a clue and evidence.
200
Example: I see your point, but the timeline does not match the camera record.
Challenge a teammate politely: use I see your point, but…
300
Example: The cleaner left at 7:45. Then the museum closed at 8:00. Finally, someone opened the window at 8:15.
Create a three-sentence timeline: 7:45 cleaner left; 8:00 museum closed; 8:15 window opened.
300
The curator was talking to a visitor when the vase fell.
Complete: The curator ___ (talk) to a visitor when the vase ___ (fall).
300
Example: Someone must have entered or escaped through the window.
Use must have to state your strongest deduction from a broken window.
300
Answers vary; description should include appearance, location, and why it seems suspicious.
Describe a suspicious object without naming it; the class guesses.
300
Answers vary; first accurately restate the partner’s theory, then add evidence or an alternative.
Summarize a partner’s theory before adding your own idea.
400
Example: While the guard was checking the door, the alarm rang. The visitors were leaving when the lights went out.
Explain what was happening when the alarm rang. Use while and when.
400
Past simple presents a completed event; past continuous presents an action in progress.
Explain the difference: The thief opened the window / The thief was opening the window.
400
Answers vary; e.g., Ana may have hidden the key, but Ben may have moved it because he knew the code.
Compare two suspects using may have, but, and because.
400
Answers vary; all four words must be used meaningfully.
Use witness, suspect, motive, and footprint in a short explanation.
400
Answers vary; all three connectors should organize a coherent theory.
Build a 45-second team theory using because, however, and therefore.
500
Answers vary; include four markers such as at first, while, suddenly, after that, and finally.
Give a 30-second witness report with at least four time markers.
500
Answers vary; e.g., The guard was checking the camera when he noticed a shadow.
Create two connected clues using past simple and past continuous.
500
Answers vary; use must have, might have, and cannot have with evidence.
Present a final deduction with three modal verbs and supporting evidence.
500
Answers vary; justification should discuss directness, accuracy, and possible error.
Rank these by reliability and justify: rumor, CCTV image, witness memory, fingerprint.
500
Answers vary; include a timeline, past tenses, deduction language, and evidence.
Final case: choose a suspect, reconstruct the events, and defend your conclusion against one challenge.
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