Do the Preparation task first. Then watch the first minute of the video. Next go to the first Task and complete it. Then watch the rest of the video and do the remaining activities. If you need help, you can read the Transcript at any time.
Preparation
Think about the following questions:
- Do you enjoy mystery novels and films?
- Who is your favourite detective?
Watch as Stephen and Ashlie begin a Murder Mystery weekend.
Transcript
Stephen: Er, Ashlie, what are you doing?
Ashlie: Looking for clues of course.
Stephen: But we haven’t started yet. We’ve come away for a Murder Mystery Weekend. It’s a fun game. We’re going to be detectives and we’re going to try and solve a pretend murder.
Ashlie: I know it’s only a game, but I’m going to be the first to solve the murder mystery. Like my hero, the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. I’m going to solve the mystery in record time and find out who the killer is.
Stephen: Well, before we do that I think we should go and register, you know, meet the other people that are playing.
Ashlie: I can’t wait to get started. Look! Stephen! What’s that? It’s a clue.
Stephen: Er, Ashlie, I don’t think so. That is not a clue. The game hasn’t started yet. Come on, let’s go and find Pete.
Stephen: Hi, Pete.
Pete: Hi.
Stephen: So, how does this game work? I’ve never done anything like this before.
Pete: Well, it’s really easy. Someone will be chosen as the murderer – the organisers will decide. Then there will be a murder and the first victim will be found. So you’ll get the chance to try to figure out who did it.
Stephen: OK – by following the clues?
Pete: Yes, that’s right. But don’t forget, as the game continues there will be more murders and fewer and fewer guests.
Stephen: Really?
Woman: And you must be Stephen Walker.
Stephen: Yes.
Woman: This way, please.
Ashlie: Hi, Pete.
Pete: Hi, Ash.
Ashlie: So, er, what have you found out so far? Found any clues?
Pete: Er – the game hasn’t started yet, Ash. I’m just having a cup of tea.
Woman: Look! Out there. A body. There’s been a murder!
Ashlie: Aha! The game is afoot! Come on everybody, follow me!
Ashlie: So, just as I suspected. Someone must have poisoned the tea.
Stephen: Ashlie, I don’t think it was the tea that killed her. There’s a gun on the floor. Maybe someone shot her?
Ashlie: Well, yes. Just as I was about to say, Stephen. The murderer wanted us to think the tea was poisoned but in fact the murder weapon was that gun. Or maybe the poison was in that gun?
Woman: Look! A muddy footprint. Maybe that’s a clue.
Ashlie: Aha, this must be a clue.
It’s wet. It could be tea. Some sugar, some tea and now a teaspoon. Interesting. We could be looking for a tea drinker. To the house!
OK, Stephen, so let’s start at the beginning. The first clue was… Look! Another murder.
Stephen: I’m not sure, Ashlie.
Ashlie: He’s still warm. The murderer might be close. He could have just left.
Ashlie, Stephen and man: Arghh!
Man: What are you doing?
Ashlie: Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you’d been murdered.
Man: What?
Stephen: We’re looking for clues. We’re looking for a murderer.
Man: Well, really!
Ashlie: Sorry.
Stephen: I can’t believe you did that, Ashlie.
Ashlie: Well, he did look dead. Look! Another clue!
Hi there,
I have used this video for a couple of years and it does not seem to be online anymore. Do you know why?
Thanks in advance
Laurie
Hi Laurie,
I'm sorry to hear you can't see the video. It is working correctly for me and I don't see any errors on our end.
If you're still not able to see it, I'd suggest trying with a different device or browser.
If you still can't see it, please let us know what operating system, browser and browser version you're using. This might help us identify the issue.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Dear Team,
for a few days now all the ''Video Series'' courses cannot be opened and played whatever I do. In all the other stuff of ''General English '', I can easily enter. I there any problem?
Thanks a lot
Nikos
Hello Nikos,
I'm sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for alerting us. Have you tried using a different browser or device?
I've looked around and can't see any problems myself, but will ask our technical team to have a look as well.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello aleksandra,
The video is working for me. Is it still missing for you? If so, please check other Word on the Street pages to see if you can see videos on them. If you cannot, I'd suggest trying a different web browser or, if possible, a different device. If you still don't see the videos, please let us know what browser version you are using.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello Joel-0505
Thanks for letting us know!
The auxiliary verb 'do' can be used in the present simple ('do' or 'does') and the past simple ('did', as in this case) to give emphasis to the verb it goes with (in this case, 'look'). It doesn't mean anything different from 'he looked', it's just a way of emphasising. Ashlie could have also said 'Well, he certainly looked dead' and that would have meant the same thing.
You can read a little more about this in the Cambridge Dictionary (go down to the Emphatic forms section) if you'd like to see other examples.
All the best
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team