Teenagers charged with stealing subway train in New York

Nick's ESL News Lessons

A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.

Date: 2025/02/04

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Teenagers charged with stealing subway train in New York

Vocabulary Match

charged •• people
incident •• control
suspects •• physical ID
operate •• accused
biometrics •• metro
subway •• event

Vocabulary Answers

chargedaccused
incidentevent
suspectspeople
operatecontrol
biometricsphysical ID
subwaymetro

Article

Two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, have been charged with stealing a subway train in New York City. The incident happened on January 25 in Queens. Police found the younger boy at his school in Brooklyn and the older boy at home. They are still searching for four more suspects.

The teenagers took the train from a station where out-of-service trains are kept. They drove it a short distance, broke some windows, and then returned it. Videos on social media show them inside the train, with one of them operating it.

This isn't the first time a train has been stolen. In the past, other teenagers have taken trains for joyrides. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said it's time to use modern technology, like biometrics, to control who can operate trains.

Quiz

  1. How old are the teenagers charged with stealing the train?
  2. Where did the incident happen?
  3. What did the teenagers do with the train?
  4. What does MTA Chair Janno Lieber suggest using to control train operation?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. The teenagers are 15 and 17 years old.
  2. The incident happened in Queens, New York City.
  3. The teenagers drove the train a short distance, broke some windows, and then returned it.
  4. Using modern technology like biometrics to control train operation.

Conversation

A:Did you hear about those kids who took the subway train?
B:Yeah, I can't believe they actually drove it!
A:I know, right? They even broke some windows.
B:I wonder how they got inside the station.
A:Maybe they watched too many action movies!
B:Or maybe they just wanted a free ride around the city.

Discussion

  1. Why do you think the teenagers stole the subway train?
  2. How would you make sure only trained people can drive trains?
  3. What modern technology do you use every day?
  4. Have you ever done something adventurous like the teenagers?

Source Material

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/subway-joyride-2-teens-charged-nypd-says/


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