Practice English Listening B1 Exercises – Murder mystery

1

a   Joshua Logan’s nephew.

b   Arthur Logan’s uncle and Juliet Logan’s husband.

c   Joshua Logan’s wife (and widow).

d   A friend of Joshua Logan’s. He is in love with Juliet Logan.

2

a   Joshua Logan      b   Arthur Logan

c   Crawford Jarvis      d   Crawford Jarvis

3

a   Arthur Logan      b   Arthur Logan

c   Crawford Jarvis      d   Juliet Logan

e   Arthur Logan      f   Juliet Logan

g   Crawford Jarvis      h   Inspector Wade

i    Inspector Wade

INSPECTOR WADE:   Well, everybody, as you know, Joshua Logan was killed early this morning. He was hit on the head with a blunt instrument – we don’t yet know what. So I need to know what you were all doing last night. We can start with you, Arthur Logan. You are Joshua Logan’s nephew, I think.

AUTHUR LOGAN:   Yes, I’m staying here for a few days.

INSPECTOR WADE:   Can you tell us about your movements?

AUTHUR LOGAN:   Of course. In the middle of the night I was woken by a sound downstairs – a cry, I think. I looked at my watch. It was about a quarter past two in the morning. I pulled on some clothes and went downstairs.

INSPECTOR WADE:   And what did you find downstairs?

AUTHUR LOGAN:   Nothing … at first. You see, just as I was going towards the study I was attacked from behind … hit on the back of the head by a man, I think it was, with dark glasses and a black cap. I don’t know how long I was unconscious. When I woke up I went to the study and there was my poor uncle Joshua … you know … I can’t hear to think about it.

JULIET LOGAN:   Poor Arthur.

INSPECTOR WADE:   Now then, Juliet Logan, you are the dead man’s wife, I believe. This must be very difficult for you. What can you tell me about the events of this morning?

JULIET LOGAN:   Well, Inspector, last night I couldn’t sleep. I have a lot on my mind. So I read until about two in the morning.

INSPECTOR WADE:   You and your husband haven’t been getting on well, I think.

JULIET LOGAN:   Yes, it’s no secret, I wanted a divorce, but he wouldn’t agree.

INSPECTOR WADE:   Some people in your situation might think of killing their husband.

JULIET LOGAN:   Perhaps, but I didn’t do it. I turned my light off at about five past two and went to sleep. I was woken by Arthur with the terrible news.

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   It’s not true.

INSPECTOR WADE:   I’m sorry.

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   It’s not true, Inspector. Juliet’s light was still on at 20 past two. I saw it.

JULIET LOGAN:   Well perhaps I just went to sleep with it on and …

INSPECTOR WADE:   And you are, sir?

AUTHUR LOGAN:   That’s Crawford Jarvis. He’s a friend of my uncle’s but he’s crazy about my aunt. He’s been in love with my aunt for years.

INSPECTOR WADE:   Is that true, Mr Jarvis?

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   Yes, yes, I admit it.

JULIET LOGAN:   Oh, Crawford.

INSPECTOR WADE:   So what were you doing last night?

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   Well, I couldn’t sleep either. I went for a walk in the garden. That’s how I know about Juliet’s light. And, Inspector, I must tell you – I have a black cap, it is true, but I didn’t kill Joshua Logan, honestly.

She knew who killed Joshua Logan because Arthur said he saw the person who hit him from behind. You can’t see someone behind you. He must have lied.

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   And, Inspector, I must tell you – I have a black cap, it is true, but I didn’t kill Joshua Logan, honestly.

INSPECTOR WADE:   I know you didn’t, Mr Jarvis.

CRAWFORD JARVIS:   Well then, who did?

INSPECTOR WADE:   Arthur Logan, I arrest you for the murder of your uncle Joshua Logan. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be taken down and used in evidence.

AUTHUR LOGAN:   But … but … how did you know?

INSPECTOR WADE:   How did I know? Because you’re not very clever. That’s how I knew. Attacked from behind, you said. Hit on the back of the head. Yet you said that you saw the man with a black cap and dark glasses! Even though he was behind you. Really! The most obvious lie in the world. Come on!