The Standard Topic Outline Form
I. ____________
A.__________
B. __________
C. __________
II. ____________
A.__________
1. ________
a. ______
b. ______
(1) ______
(2) ______
2. ________
B. __________
The figures for burglaries have risen alarmingly over the last few years and are now quite appalling.
Let me quote you a few statistics about break-ins.
Over the past 3 years the number of burglaries reported to the police has risen by approximately 50,000 to well over 400,000 this year.
And I believe one or two companies are refusing to provide burglary cover in what we might call high-risk areas.
It really only requires some basic common sense and a small outlay, combined with a little knowledge of the way a burglar thinks and operates.
Most burglars are opportunists looking for an easy break-in, so don¨t make things simple for them.
Even if you¨re just popping out for a quarter of an hour, don¨t leave doors and windows open or unlocked.
This time element leads me to my second main point, that where a house is hard to get into and will take a long time to do so because you¨ve fitted good locks and bolts on your exterior doors and windows or even burglar alarms, the chances are that the burglar will move on to somewhere easier.
There are plenty of these, I can assure you.
For comparatively little you can buy a programmed time-switch that¨ll turn on and off a light at appropriate times.
You should always be wary of callers at the door who say, for example, that they¨ve come to read the gas meter; always check their credentials, and if in doubt don¨t let them in.
Any further tips I may not have mentioned can always be got from your local police station, where you should ask to speak to the Crime Prevention Officer.
In the final analysis I think I should say that when it comes to fitting security systems and the like you¨ve really got to strike a balance between the cost of what you spend on installing the system and the value of the property you¨re trying to protect.
1. The text is mainly about _____.
a) how serious the problem of burglary is
b) measures against burglary
c) a) and b)
c
2. The number of burglaries reported to the police has risen to _____ this year.
a) 5,000
b) 400,000
c) 50,000
b
3. The insurance companies lost _____ last year to cover household burglary losses.
a) 148.2 million pounds
b) 138.2 billion pounds
c) 138.2 million pounds
c
4. Most burglars look for _____.
a) easy break-ins
b) widely open garage doors
c) unlocked doors
a
5. People are advised to use a programmed time-switch because _____.
a) it will save electricity
b) in this way nobody will know that the owner
of the house is away for a long timec) burglars are often frightened by it
b
6. The last sentence means that _____.
a) your property should be worth the money you
spend on security systemsb) a security system is better than none
c) there¨s no use fitting security system
a
Title: Burglaries
I. The figures for burglaries have risen alarmingly.
A. A house is burgled in Britain about every
2 minutes.B. Over the past 3 years no. of burg. rise by
about 50,000 to 400,000 this y.C. Insurance companies last y. household burg.
losses rose by 27% over the prev. y. to
138.2 mn. pounds.II. Measures against burglaries.
A. Don¨t advertise when you¨re out or away,
or be careless about security.1. When out even for a short time, lock or
close doors & windows.2. A burglary can take less than 10 minutes.
B. Don¨t leave marks that you¨re away for a
long time.1. Marks:
a. milk bottles left on the door-step
b. papers by the front door
c. garage doors wide open
d. curtains drawn in the daytime & undrawn
at night2. Way to avoid:
Buy a programmed time-switch
C. Be wary of strangers at the door
1. Check their cred.
2. If in doubt don¨t let them in.
D. Make a note of your properties.
1. Keep a record of serial nos. on elect.
equip., radios, TVs.2. Take photographs of valuable jewl., antique
or pictures.E. Speak to the Crime Prevention Officer for any further tips.
III. Strike a balance between cost of security systems & value of property to be protected.