English Learning Content: Law Vocabulary
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, what’s with the long face? You look like you just got a ticket for jaywalking a snail.
Bob: Alice, you won’t believe the new rule at my apartment building! My life is over!
Alice: Oh? Is it about putting the recycling out on the wrong day again? Did they finally catch you?
Bob: Worse! They said, “No loud singing in the shower after 9 PM.” My operatic career is doomed before it even began!
Alice: (Giggles) So, you’re a shower-singing criminal now? Better watch out for the police!
Bob: Hey! It’s not a crime! It’s a fundamental human right to serenade my shampoo bottle with my powerful baritone!
Alice: Well, if a neighbor complains, you might have to face a tiny, mini judge! “Your Honor, the water pressure was too inspiring!”
Bob: A judge for my bathroom concert? Do I need a lawyer? Maybe I’ll just represent myself. “Your Honor, the acoustics are just too good in there!”
Alice: And then they’ll give you a fine for disturbing the peace! Imagine, “Singing Fine: $50.” Better start saving those coins.
Bob: No way! I’ll just whisper my ballads. No arrest for me! My dreams of a clean record remain intact.
Alice: So, are you guilty or innocent of this heinous shower-singing act? The jury (me!) is waiting.
Bob: Innocent! Absolutely! It’s not even a real law! Just a silly rule from the building manager, who clearly has no appreciation for musical talent.
Alice: Real laws are for important things, like stopping actual serious crimes, not your rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” You won’t end up in court for it.
Bob: Phew. So no court appearance then? No dramatic trial? I was already practicing my closing statement.
Alice: Definitely not for that! A court is for serious cases where justice needs to be served.
Bob: Good. I’ll just make a contract with myself: quiet singing after nine. Alice, you’re the best! Thanks for clearing that up.
Alice: Just trying to keep you out of… *shower jail*, Bob! Now, about that opera…
Current Situation
Laws and rules are everywhere in our daily lives, even if we don’t always think about them! From the traffic lights that tell us when to stop and go, to the signs in a park asking us to keep dogs on a leash, these rules help everyone live together safely and smoothly. In a big country, city, or even a small community, laws are official rules made by the government. They are important because they protect people, ensure fairness, and keep order. When someone breaks a law, it’s called a crime, and there can be serious consequences, like fines or even arrest. Understanding basic legal words helps us understand the world around us, know our rights, and act responsibly, even if we’re just talking about apartment rules like Bob’s shower-singing dilemma!
Key Phrases
- What’s with the long face?
- Meaning: Why do you look sad or unhappy?
- Example: My friend looked sad, so I asked, “What’s with the long face? Is everything okay?”
- You won’t believe…
- Meaning: This is used to introduce something surprising or shocking.
- Example: “You won’t believe what happened today! I saw a cat wearing a tiny hat!”
- To face a [judge/fine/trial, etc.]
- Meaning: To have to deal with or experience something difficult, often related to a legal issue.
- Example: If you park your car illegally, you might face a fine.
- To represent myself
- Meaning: To speak for yourself in a formal setting, like a court, instead of having a lawyer do it.
- Example: He didn’t have money for a lawyer, so he decided to represent himself in the small claims court.
- To keep a clean record
- Meaning: To avoid having any criminal history or negative marks against your name.
- Example: She always follows the rules because she wants to keep a clean record.
Grammar Points
1. The Simple Present Tense
We use the Simple Present Tense to talk about:
- Facts or general truths: Real laws are for important things.
- Habits or routines: I always sing in the shower.
- Rules and regulations: They said, “No loud singing.”
Structure: Subject + Base Verb (or Verb + -s/-es for he/she/it)
Examples from the dialogue:
- Alice: You look like you just got a ticket. (Habit/description)
- Bob: My operatic career is doomed! (Fact/state)
- Alice: Real laws are for important things. (General truth)
2. The Verb “To Be” (am, is, are)
The verb “to be” is one of the most important verbs in English. We use it to:
- Identify people or things: He is Bob. It is a rule.
- Describe qualities or states: You are a criminal. I am innocent. The acoustics are good.
Structure:
- I + am
- You/We/They + are
- He/She/It + is
Examples from the dialogue:
- Bob: My life is over!
- Alice: So, you are a shower-singing criminal now?
- Bob: It is not a crime!
- Alice: Real laws are for important things.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Vocabulary Match
Match the vocabulary word with its definition.
- Rule
- Crime
- Judge
- Lawyer
- Fine
- Arrest
- Guilty
- Innocent
a. A person in court who decides if someone has broken the law.
b. A sum of money paid as punishment for breaking a rule or law.
c. A person who helps people with legal problems and speaks for them in court.
d. Not responsible for a crime.
e. An action that is against the law.
f. Responsible for breaking a law.
g. To take someone to a police station because they might have broken a law.
h. A statement that says what is allowed or not allowed.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Use the words from the box to complete the sentences.
[ lawyer, fine, crime, rule, innocent, court, judge ]
- Breaking a window is a serious ___________.
- The school has a __________ that says “no running in the hallways.”
- She needed a good ___________ to help her in the trial.
- The ____________ decided that the defendant was not guilty.
- If you park there, you will get a __________ of $20.
- He said he was ____________ and did not do anything wrong.
- The case went to ___________ last week.
Exercise 3: Simple Present Tense – Complete the Sentences
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
- Bob often ___________ in the shower. (sing)
- Alice ___________ that loud singing is a crime. (not / think)
- The building manager ___________ new rules. (make)
- Real laws ___________ people. (protect)
- I ___________ my apartment neighbors. (like)
Exercise 4: The Verb “To Be” – Choose the Correct Form
Choose the correct form of “to be” (am, is, are) to complete the sentences.
- I _________ innocent!
- Alice and Bob _________ friends.
- The rule _________ about singing.
- You _________ very funny today.
- We _________ learning English.
Answers
Exercise 1: Vocabulary Match
- Rule – h. A statement that says what is allowed or not allowed.
- Crime – e. An action that is against the law.
- Judge – a. A person in court who decides if someone has broken the law.
- Lawyer – c. A person who helps people with legal problems and speaks for them in court.
- Fine – b. A sum of money paid as punishment for breaking a rule or law.
- Arrest – g. To take someone to a police station because they might have broken a law.
- Guilty – f. Responsible for breaking a law.
- Innocent – d. Not responsible for a crime.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
- Breaking a window is a serious crime.
- The school has a rule that says “no running in the hallways.”
- She needed a good lawyer to help her in the trial.
- The judge decided that the defendant was not guilty.
- If you park there, you will get a fine of $20.
- He said he was innocent and did not do anything wrong.
- The case went to court last week.
Exercise 3: Simple Present Tense – Complete the Sentences
- Bob often sings in the shower.
- Alice does not think that loud singing is a crime.
- The building manager makes new rules.
- Real laws protect people.
- I like my apartment neighbors.
Exercise 4: The Verb “To Be” – Choose the Correct Form
- I am innocent!
- Alice and Bob are friends.
- The rule is about singing.
- You are very funny today.
- We are learning English.
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