Word List: Robbery, Extortion, Embezzlement, Forgery, Counterfeiting, Fraud, Larceny, Pilferage, Burglary, Theft

The Diamond Museum was renowned for its collection of rare and valuable diamonds. But one day, the museum was hit by a daring robbery. The thieves made off with millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds, leaving the authorities scrambling to catch them. But as the investigation progressed, it became clear that this was no ordinary robbery.

The thieves had connections to a powerful criminal organization, and they were using the stolen diamonds to fund their illegal activities, including extortion, embezzlement, and forgery. The authorities soon found themselves in a race against time, as the criminals continued to elude capture and commit more crimes.

And when a key witness was found dead, it seemed like the case was hopeless. But then, a brilliant detective stepped forward, determined to bring the criminals to justice. Despite the danger and the odds against him, the detective persisted, uncovering evidence of counterfeiting, fraud, and larceny.

In the end, the detective managed to catch the criminals and recover the stolen diamonds, but not before they had committed countless crimes and left a shadow of fear over the city.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Robbery	the crime of taking something from someone using force or the threat of force	Robbery of a bank, Robbery of a store, Robbery of a citizen
Extortion	the crime of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats	Extortion of a businessman, Extortion of a family, Extortion of a community
Embezzlement	the crime of illegally taking money or property that has been entrusted to someone	Embezzlement of funds, Embezzlement of assets, Embezzlement of a company
Forgery	the crime of making a false document or changing a real document in order to deceive someone	Forgery of a signature, Forgery of a passport, Forgery of a will
Counterfeiting	the crime of making fake money or other documents that are intended to be used as if they were real	Counterfeiting of currency, Counterfeiting of stamps, Counterfeiting of certificates
Fraud	the crime of deceiving someone in order to gain an advantage or to cause harm	Fraud of a corporation, Fraud of an individual, Fraud of a government
Larceny	the crime of taking someone else’s property without their permission and with the intention of keeping it permanently	Larceny of jewelry, Larceny of a vehicle, Larceny of data
Pilferage	the act of stealing small amounts of something over a period of time, especially from one’s employer	Pilferage of supplies, Pilferage of money, Pilferage of food
Burglary	the crime of breaking into a building with the intention of stealing something or committing a crime	Burglary of a home, Burglary of a business, Burglary of a museum
Theft	the act of stealing something, especially without using force	Theft of a wallet, Theft of a smartphone, Theft of a bicycle

Word List: Smuggling, Assassination, Arson, Intimidation, Blackmail, Kidnapping, Bribery, Money laundering, Tampering, Perjury

The city was in the grip of fear, as rumors of the mafia’s return spread like wildfire. For years, the mafia had been inactive, but now, they were back with a vengeance. Their methods were brutal and effective. They engaged in smuggling, assassination, and arson, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The citizens of the city lived in constant fear, afraid to speak out against the mafia for fear of intimidation and blackmail. And when the daughter of one of the city’s most prominent citizens was kidnapped, the city was thrown into chaos.

The authorities were powerless to stop the mafia, and it seemed like there was no hope for the city. But then, a lone detective stepped forward, determined to bring the mafia to justice. Despite the danger and the odds against him, the detective persisted, uncovering evidence of bribery, money laundering, and tampering.

In the end, the detective managed to gather enough evidence to bring down the mafia, but not before they had committed countless crimes and left a shadow of fear over the city.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Smuggling	the act of illegally bringing goods or people into a country or out of a country	Smuggling of drugs, Smuggling of weapons, Smuggling of immigrants
Assassination	the killing of a famous or important person, usually for political reasons	Assassination of a leader, Assassination of a celebrity, Assassination of a diplomat
Arson	the crime of deliberately starting a fire in order to cause damage or destruction	Arson of a building, Arson of a vehicle, Arson of a forest
Intimidation	the act of frightening someone in order to make them do something	Intimidation of a witness, Intimidation of a victim, Intimidation of a competitor
Blackmail	the act of demanding money or something else from someone in exchange for not revealing damaging information about them	Blackmail of a celebrity, Blackmail of a politician, Blackmail of a businessperson
Kidnapping	the crime of illegally taking someone and holding them as a prisoner, usually in exchange for ransom	Kidnapping of a child, Kidnapping of a millionaire, Kidnapping of a politician
Bribery	the act of giving or receiving money or something else of value in order to influence the actions of an official or other person in power	Bribery of a judge, Bribery of a police officer, Bribery of a government official
Money laundering	the act of making illegally obtained proceeds appear legal	Money laundering scheme, Money laundering operation, Money laundering network
Tampering	the act of interfering with something in order to change it, damage it, or make it work differently	Tampering with evidence, Tampering with a device, Tampering with a vote
Perjury	the act of lying or making false statements while under oath in a court of law	Perjury of a witness, Perjury of a defendant, Perjury of a juror

Word List: Swindle, Con artist, Forgery, Embezzlement, Larceny, Extortion, Racketeering, Burglary, Robbery, Espionage

It was a daring and audacious plan, one that would go down in history as the heist of the century. A group of con artists, led by the cunning and charismatic mastermind, had set their sights on the largest diamond repository in the city. With their intricate knowledge of the security systems and the use of clever forgeries, they managed to gain access to the repository, undetected.

Once inside, they used their skills of embezzlement and larceny to make off with a fortune in diamonds, leaving the authorities and the owners of the repository stunned. But the heist was just the beginning. The group continued to engage in a series of daring and illegal activities, including extortion and racketeering. They became unstoppable, and soon the city was at their mercy.

Detective Green was tasked with bringing the group to justice, but he soon realized that he was up against a formidable adversary. As the case continued, Green uncovered evidence of burglary, robbery, and even espionage. In the end, Green managed to track down the con artists and bring them to justice, but not before they had caused a wave of crime and terror throughout the city.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Swindle	to trick someone out of their money or possessions by using a deceptive scheme	Swindle someone out of their money, Swindle someone out of their inheritance, Swindle a company
Con artist	a person who cheats or tricks people in order to get their money	Con artist scams, Con artist tricks, Con artist scheme
Forgery	the act of producing a copy or imitation of something, with the intent to deceive	Forgery of a document, Forgery of a signature, Forgery of a painting
Embezzlement	the act of stealing money or property that has been trusted to one’s care	Embezzlement of company funds, Embezzlement of public funds, Embezzlement of client funds
Larceny	the act of stealing something, especially in a secret or quiet way	Larceny of a vehicle, Larceny of a purse, Larceny of a store
Extortion	the act of forcing someone to do something or give something, especially money, by using threats or violence	Extortion of money, Extortion of information, Extortion of a company
Racketeering	the illegal and organized activities of a group, especially those involving blackmail and other forms of coercion	Racketeering operation, Racketeering ring, Racketeering enterprise
Burglary	the act of illegally entering a building with the intention of stealing something	Burglary of a home, Burglary of a store, Burglary of a museum
Robbery	the act of taking something, especially money or valuables, by force or threat	Robbery of a bank, Robbery of a convenience store, Robbery of a jewelry store
Espionage	the act of obtaining secret or confidential information without the permission of the person who owns it	Espionage of a government, Espionage of

Word List: Smuggle, Contraband, Illicit, Bootleg, Underground, Undercover, Infiltration, Interception, Contraband trade, Underground market

For years, rumors had been circulating about the lost treasures of the underworld, hidden deep within the secret underground markets of the city. Detective Brown was tasked with investigating these rumors, and he went undercover, infiltrating the world of illicit trade and smuggling.

As he delved deeper into the case, he discovered that the rumors were true, and that there was indeed a vast network of bootleg dealers who were trading in valuable artifacts and priceless treasures. But the deeper Detective Brown went, the more dangerous the case became.

The smugglers were a ruthless bunch, and they would stop at nothing to protect their trade in contraband. As Brown continued his investigation, he found himself facing numerous obstacles, including interceptions by the smugglers and attempts at infiltration by rival gangs.

But Brown was determined to crack the case, and he finally managed to uncover the location of the lost treasures. In a daring raid, Brown and his team were able to intercept the contraband trade and recover the lost treasures, bringing an end to the reign of the underground market.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Smuggle	to bring something into or out of a country secretly and illegally	Smuggle drugs, Smuggle weapons, Smuggle contraband
Contraband	goods that are banned or illegal to trade or possess	Contraband trade, Contraband goods, Contraband weapons
Illicit	illegal or unauthorized	Illicit trade, Illicit activities, Illicit drugs
Bootleg	illegally made or sold goods	Bootleg alcohol, Bootleg DVDs, Bootleg CDs
Underground	hidden or operating secretly, especially because it is illegal or subversive	Underground market, Underground network, Underground organization
Undercover	working secretly for a police or government agency, in order to gather information or catch criminals	Undercover agent, Undercover operation, Undercover investigation
Infiltration	the act of infiltrating a group or organization, especially in order to gather information or influence its activities	Infiltration of a gang, Infiltration of a political organization, Infiltration of a company
Interception	the act of intercepting or stopping something before it reaches its destination	Interception of a shipment, Interception of a message, Interception of a trade
Contraband trade	the illegal trade of goods that are banned or restricted	Contraband drug trade, Contraband weapon trade, Contraband artifact trade
Underground market	a secret market or trade that operates outside of the law or outside of government regulation	Underground drug market, Underground weapon market, Underground black market

Word List: Pilfer, Larceny, Burglary, Thievery, Robbery, Purloin, Swindle, Embezzlement, Plunder, Heist

The small town of Riverdale was rocked by a string of burglaries, and it seemed like the thief was always one step ahead of the police. Detective Johnson was called in to solve the case, and as he delved deeper into the investigations, he discovered that the thief was not your average burglar.

He was a master of pilferage, and his skills in larceny were unparalleled. The thief would strike in the dead of the night, and before anyone knew it, he was gone, leaving behind a trail of missing jewels and valuable artifacts. But little did the thief know that Detective Johnson was hot on his trail, and he was determined to bring him to justice.

As the chase continued, Johnson discovered that the thief was also involved in robbery, and he had used his skills to purloin money from banks and wealthy individuals. It was then that Johnson realized that he was dealing with a criminal mastermind, who was not only involved in thievery but also in elaborate swindles and embezzlement schemes. In the end, Johnson caught up with the thief, who had been planning his biggest heist yet, and he was finally brought to justice for all his crimes of plunder.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Pilfer	to steal small amounts of something, especially over a long period of time	Pilfer food, Pilfer money, Pilfer supplies
Larceny	the crime of stealing something that belongs to someone else	Grand larceny, Petty larceny, Larceny charges
Burglary	the crime of breaking into a building in order to steal something	Home burglary, Office burglary, Attempted burglary
Thievery	the act of stealing something that belongs to someone else	Petty thievery, Grand thievery, Organized thievery
Robbery	the crime of taking something from someone by using force or the threat of force	Bank robbery, Armed robbery, Street robbery
Purloin	to steal something, especially something that is valuable	Purloin money, Purloin documents, Purloin jewelry
Swindle	to deceive someone in order to get their money or property	Investment swindle, Charity swindle, Real estate swindle
Embezzlement	the crime of taking money that you have been trusted with for your own use	Corporate embezzlement, Bank embezzlement, Government embezzlement
Plunder	to steal things of value from a place, especially during a war or a raid	Plunder a city, Plunder a temple, Plunder a museum
Heist	a carefully planned and organized crime, especially one in which a large amount of money or property is stolen	Bank heist, Diamond heist, Art heist

Word List: Counterfeit, Forgery, Duplicate, Impersonate, Fabricate, Alter, Imitate, Deception, Ruse, Scam

The city was in awe as a new art gallery opened its doors. It promised to showcase some of the finest works of art from all around the world, but little did they know that not everything was as it seemed. Detective Sarah was called in to investigate when one of the art collectors claimed that a painting he purchased from the gallery was a counterfeit. Further investigation revealed that the gallery was filled with forgeries and duplicates of famous paintings. The mastermind behind the operation was a man named David, who was not only an expert in impersonating famous artists but was also skilled in fabricating and altering documents to prove the authenticity of the paintings. He had used his skills of deception and ruse to fool art collectors and experts into believing that the paintings were genuine, and had made millions from the sales. When Sarah finally caught up with David, she discovered that this was just the tip of the iceberg, as he was part of a larger operation that specialized in art-related scams and deceptions.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Counterfeit	a copy of something, especially a fake copy of a valuable item such as money or a work of art, made in order to deceive people	Counterfeit money, Counterfeit goods, Counterfeit painting
Forgery	a copy of a document, signature, or work of art that is made in order to deceive people	Art forgery, Signature forgery, Document forgery
Duplicate	a copy of something	Duplicate key, Duplicate document, Duplicate painting
Impersonate	to pretend to be someone else, especially in order to deceive people	Impersonate an officer, Impersonate a celebrity, Impersonate a doctor
Fabricate	to make something, especially something that is not true, in order to deceive people	Fabricate evidence, Fabricate a story, Fabricate a history
Alter	to make small changes to something in order to deceive people	Alter a document, Alter a painting, Alter the truth
Imitate	to copy or try to copy someone or something else	Imitate a famous actor, Imitate a famous painting, Imitate a style
Deception	the act of deceiving someone by making them believe something that is not true	Deception tactics, Deception plan, Deception scheme
Ruse	a trick that is used to deceive someone	Clever ruse, sneaky ruse, cunning ruse
Scam	a dishonest plan or scheme for making money, especially by tricking people	Internet scam, Investment scam, Charity scam

Word List: Heist, Robbery, Con Artist, Fence, Pawn Shop, Swindle, Embezzlement, Extortion, Larceny, Burglary

There was a buzz in the air as the grand opening of the new art museum approached. Everyone was excited to see the collection of priceless artifacts and paintings, but the excitement was short lived as the museum was robbed on the opening night. The police had no leads and the investigation seemed to have hit a dead end, until a small-time con artist named Jack was caught trying to fence one of the stolen items at a local pawn shop. The police were shocked to discover that Jack was only a small part of a much larger operation run by a notorious gang of thieves who specialized in heists and robberies of museums and art galleries. Further investigation revealed that the ringleader, a man named Frank, was an expert in embezzlement, swindle and extortion. The police finally caught up with Frank and the rest of the gang and recovered all the stolen artifacts. The museum was finally able to open to the public and the crowds returned, but this time with a heightened sense of security and a newfound appreciation for the value of the priceless artifacts that were nearly lost to larceny and burglary.

Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Collocations
Heist	a robbery, especially one carried out in a planned and organized way	Bank heist, Gold heist, Diamond heist
Robbery	the crime of stealing from someone using violence or the threat of violence	Armed robbery, Convenience store robbery, Bank robbery
Con Artist	a person who cheats or deceives others, especially by exploiting their confidence	Confidence artist, Scam artist, Fraudster
Fence	a person who buys stolen goods in order to sell them	Black market fence, Illegal fence, Thief’s fence
Pawn Shop	a business that lends money in exchange for personal items that are left as security	Pawnbroker, Pawn shop owner, Pawn shop loan
Swindle	to cheat someone out of money or property by using a trick	Investment swindle, Charity swindle, Real estate swindle
Embezzlement	the crime of stealing money or other assets that have been trusted to one’s care	Corporate embezzlement, Financial embezzlement, Public funds embezzlement
Extortion	the crime of obtaining money or property from someone by threatening to harm them or someone they care about	Cyber extortion, Protection extortion, Blackmail extortion
Larceny	the crime of stealing someone’s property without using violence or threats	Grand larceny, Petit larceny, Shoplifting larceny
Burglary	the crime of breaking into a building in order to steal something	Residential burglary, Commercial burglary, Attempted burglary

Word List: Genome, DNA, Chromosome, Gene, Geneset, Genetech, Hybridization, Mutations, Evolution, Synthesis

Story: A team of brilliant geneticists had dedicated their lives to unlocking the secrets of the genome. They had made remarkable progress in decoding the complex information contained within each strand of DNA. But one day, all of the scientists vanished without a trace. The police searched the lab and found no signs of foul play. The only clue was a strange message on the computer about a breakthrough in chromosome manipulation.

As the investigation continued, a theory emerged that the scientists had discovered a way to alter the very building blocks of life through the manipulation of specific genes. But when a rival corporation claimed to have acquired the missing team’s geneset and promised to revolutionize the world with their new genetech, the police realized they were dealing with a sinister plot.

Further investigation revealed that the corporation had used the stolen geneset to create a new breed of organisms through hybridization and forced mutations, leading to unforeseen consequences in the delicate balance of evolution.

The police raced against time to stop the corporation before they could release their dangerous creation into the world, but the missing geneticists remained a mystery. In the end, the truth about the scientists’ disappearance was even stranger than anyone could have imagined, involving a mysterious and advanced form of synthesis that threatened to change the world forever.

Vocabulary

1. Genome

• Meaning: The complete set of genetic material in a living organism
• Collocations: Human genome, Genome mapping, Genome sequencing

2. DNA

• Meaning: The molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living things
• Collocations: DNA replication, DNA fingerprinting, DNA evidence

3. Chromosome

• Meaning: A long, coiled DNA molecule that contains many genes and other DNA segments
• Collocations: Chromosome number, Chromosome mutations, Chromosome analysis

4. Gene

• Meaning: A unit of hereditary information that controls a particular characteristic in an organism
• Collocations: Gene therapy, Gene expression, Gene editing

5. Geneset

• Meaning: The complete set of genes in a particular organism or species
• Collocations: Human geneset, Animal geneset, Plant geneset

6. Genetech

• Meaning: Technology related to the study of genes and their functions
• Collocations: Genetic engineering, Gene therapy techniques, Genetech research

7. Hybridization

• Meaning: The process of crossing two different species or varieties to produce a hybrid offspring
• Collocations: Plant hybridization, Animal hybridization, Genetic hybridization

8. Mutations

• Meaning: A permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene
• Collocations: Genetic mutations, Cancer mutations, DNA mutations

9. Evolution

• Meaning: The process by which species of living things change over many generations through natural selection
• Collocations: Evolution theory, Darwin’s evolution, Human evolution

10. Synthesis

• Meaning: The process of combining different elements to form a new and more complex whole
• Collocations: Chemical synthesis, DNA synthesis, Protein synthesis

Word List

mountains, majestic, rugged, glistening, snowcapped, summit, peak, sprawling, panoramic, awe-inspiring

Story

The Himalayas, one of the world’s most majestic mountain ranges, is a place of rugged beauty and awe-inspiring panoramas. Stretching across several countries, the Himalayas are a sprawling mass of towering peaks, glistening snowcapped summits, and sprawling valleys.

As you journey through the mountains, you’ll be struck by the rugged, natural beauty of the landscape. With its towering cliffs and craggy ridges, the Himalayas are a true test of nature’s power. And, as you make your way up the slopes, you’ll be met with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

Despite its rugged appearance, the Himalayas are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. From the glistening snowcapped peaks to the lush valleys below, the Himalayas are a place of rich and diverse ecosystems.

As you reach the summit of one of the peaks, you’ll be met with a panoramic view that is simply awe-inspiring. With its sprawling vistas and endless skies, the Himalayas are a true masterpiece of nature. And, with its natural beauty and rugged charm, the Himalayas are sure to take your breath away.

So why not take a journey to the Himalayas? With its majestic peaks, rugged landscapes, and awe-inspiring panoramas, the Himalayas are truly a place like no other. And, with its natural beauty and rich ecosystems, the Himalayas are sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Vocabulary Table

Story. The Breathtaking Himalayas

Word	Meaning	Collocations
mountains	a large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level	mountain range, mountain peak, mountain top
majestic	having or showing impressive beauty or grandeur	majestic castle, majestic waterfall, majestic mountain
rugged	rough and rocky, especially as a result of being natural and unspoiled	rugged coast, rugged terrain, rugged mountain
glistening	shining with a bright and sparkling light	glistening snow, glistening stars, glistening ocean
snowcapped	covered with snow	snowcapped mountains, snowcapped peaks, snowcapped ridge
summit	the highest point of a mountain or hill	summit climb, summit view, summit trek
peak	the pointed top of a mountain or hill	mountain peak, hill peak, snow capped peak
sprawling	spread out over a large area in an untidy way	sprawling city, sprawling metropolis, sprawling suburbs
panoramic	a view of a wide area, especially one that includes a large, continuous expanse of scenery	panoramic view, panoramic scenery, panoramic landscape
awe-inspiring	causing awe, inspiring admiration or reverence	awe-inspiring view, awe-inspiring beauty, awe-inspiring majesty

Word List

forest, canopy, towering, ancient, ecosystem, wildlife, towering, serene, picturesque, towering

Story

Nestled in the heart of California lies a truly remarkable forest, the Redwoods. With its towering trees, ancient ecosystem, and diverse wildlife, the Redwoods are a place of serene beauty and unrivaled majesty.

As you enter the forest, you’ll be surrounded by the lush, green canopy of the trees. With trunks so wide you could drive a car through them, the Redwoods are truly awe-inspiring. And, as you look up, you’ll be met with the towering branches of these ancient giants, reaching skyward to touch the clouds.

In addition to its towering trees, the Redwoods are home to a rich and diverse ecosystem. With a wide variety of plant and animal species, the Redwoods are a true wildlife haven. From the busy squirrels darting through the branches to the quiet deer grazing in the meadows, the Redwoods are a place of unrivaled natural beauty.

As you make your way through the forest, you’ll be struck by the serenity of the surroundings. With its quiet, tranquil atmosphere, the Redwoods are the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you’re seeking peace and solitude, or simply a chance to be surrounded by nature, the Redwoods are sure to provide.

So why not take a journey to the Redwoods? With its towering trees, rich ecosystem, and picturesque surroundings, the Redwoods are a true gem of California. And, with their serene beauty and unrivaled majesty, the Redwoods are sure to take your breath away.

Vocabulary Tables

Story 7. The Majestic Redwoods of California

Word	Meaning	Collocations
forest	a large area of land covered with trees and undergrowth, typically uninhabited by human beings	tropical forest, temperate forest, dense forest
canopy	the uppermost layer of branches and leaves of a forest or woodland	forest canopy, jungle canopy, tree canopy
towering	very tall and imposing	towering trees, towering cliffs, towering mountains
ancient	very old, especially in terms of the historical or geological past	ancient civilization, ancient ruins, ancient history
ecosystem	a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment	marine ecosystem, tropical ecosystem, fragile ecosystem
wildlife	wild animals and plants, especially those of an area or habitat that are not normally domesticated or cultivated	wildlife reserve, wildlife park, wildlife conservation
serene	calm, peaceful, and untroubled	serene atmosphere, serene surroundings, serene landscape
picturesque	attractive or charming, especially in a quaint or old-fashioned way	picturesque village, picturesque countryside, picturesque harbor
towering	very tall and imposing	towering trees, towering cliffs, towering mountains