The man who robbed a bank for $1

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The man who robbed a bank for $1

Warm-up

Have you ever robbed a bank? Why not?

Vocabulary Match

arrive •• stealing
robbery •• employee
insurance •• come
worker •• protection
prisoners •• inmates
medical •• health

Vocabulary Answers

arrivecome
robberystealing
insuranceprotection
workeremployee
prisonersinmates
medicalhealth

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In 2011, James Verone entered a bank in North Carolina in the United States and asked for one dollar. He handed a note to a bank ________ saying that it was a ________. However, he did not have a gun and did not try to run away. After taking the dollar, he sat outside the bank and waited for the police to ________.

Later, Verone said that he had serious health problems and no health ________. He wanted to go to prison because ________ receive free ________ care, meals, and a place to sleep.

His story appeared in newspapers around the world. Many people were surprised by his actions, and some people even sent him money.

In 2011, James Verone entered a bank in North Carolina in the United States and asked for one dollar. He handed a note to a bank worker saying that it was a robbery. However, he did not have a gun and did not try to run away. After taking the dollar, he sat outside the bank and waited for the police to arrive.

Later, Verone said that he had serious health problems and no health insurance. He wanted to go to prison because prisoners receive free medical care, meals, and a place to sleep.

His story appeared in newspapers around the world. Many people were surprised by his actions, and some people even sent him money.

Quiz

  1. What did James Verone ask for at the bank?
  2. What did he do after taking the dollar?
  3. Why did Verone want to go to prison?
  4. How did people react to Verone's story?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. One dollar
  2. He sat outside the bank and waited for the police to arrive.
  3. To get free medical care
  4. They were surprised and some sent him money

True or False

  1. James Verone had a gun during the robbery. T F
  2. Verone waited for the police after the robbery. T F
  3. Verone had health insurance and no health problems. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Conversation

A:So, you really robbed a bank for just one dollar?
B:Yeah, I needed healthcare and prison seemed like a good option.
A:That's quite a plan! Were you scared?
B:Not really. I just wanted to get medical help.
A:Well, you definitely got people's attention!
B:I know, right? Some even sent me money!

Discussion

  1. Do you think James Verone's plan was a good idea?
  2. Do you think healthcare should be free for everyone? Why or why not?
  3. What would you do if you suddenly needed a lot of money?
  4. What would you do if you found a dollar on the street?

Further Reading

https://www.kunc.org/npr-news/2011-06-21/man-says-he-tried-to-rob-bank-of-1-to-get-health-care-in-prison

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