39965 becoming a millionaire

“BECOMING A MILLIONAIRE”

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Having something stolen is a very unpleasant feeling, but how would you feel if someone stole your
identity? This is exactly what happened when a kitchen worker from a New York restaurant stole the identities of
several wealthy people. He collected information about them and then impersonated them on the Internet,
buying things and even making money transfers from their bank accounts. It seems that it is quite easy to
become another person on the Internet. In about six months, he managed to steal millions of dollars from film
directors, businessman and even from former US presidential candidate.
The identity thief’s methods of working were simple. He used a computer with access to the Internet at
his local library and copies of Forbes Magazine (which publishes the “Richest People in America’s list”) to
gather information about rich celebrities. When he impersonated them, he did his identity by using post office
boxes, Web-enabled mobile phones, online voice mail services and by sending couriers to pick up goods. He
also used false letterheads and company stamps in order to trick the banks into believing him.
The police finally arrested this identity thief after a bank became suspicious when one of its customers
sent an e-mail requesting the transfer of $10 million. When the customer denied sending such a request, the
bank informed the police, who then set up a trap to catch the impostor. After his arrest, the police searched the
impostor’s home, where they found a list of victims with personal information including home addresses, mobile
phone numbers and bank account information.
This particular thief chose rich people as his victims, but anyone can become a victim of identity theft,
which is now becoming very widespread. All a thief needs is enough information about a person and access to
the Internet. Something must be done to protect innocent people from falling victim to these crimes!
(A) COMPREHENSION (4 points)

a) ANSWER QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR WORDS.
1. What sources of information did the identity thief use to learn about his victims?

2. Why did he use couriers?

3. What kind of information did he gather?

b) ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH WORDS FROM THE TEXT.
4. It isn’t difficult to take on someone else’s identity on the Internet.

5. After the customer complained to the police, the thief was arrested.

(B) USE OF ENGLISH (3 points)
6 Find words or expressions in the text that mean:
Rich
……………………………………….
so as to ……………………………………….
7 Find in the text the word which has the following definition:
“a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it”
……………………………………….


8) PUT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO REPORTED SPEECH:
a) ‘I’m going to meet my girlfriend.’ he told his parents.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
b) ‘Can you phone us later?’ he asked his mum.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
c) ‘I’ll take my mobile phone.’ he said.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
d) ‘Don't try this at home’, the stuntman told the audience.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
e) ‘Why are you so worried?’ he asked his father.

……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
9) JOIN THE SENTENCES WITH RELATIVE PRONOUNS. OMIT THE PRONOUN WHEN POSSIBLE
a) He went to a concert. He didn’t like the concert at all.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
b) Jeanette is going to marry a man. His brother is in my class.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
c) The park is a great place to spend the day. They sometimes play concerts there.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………
d) The sweets are delicious. I bought them yesterday.
……………………………..……………………………..……………………………..………………………………………………

(C) PRODUCTION (3 points)
10) Write a composition (100-120 WORDS) Choose ONE of the following options. Specify your option.
a. Advantages and disadvantages of shopping on the Internet.
b. “Everyone who commits a crime should go to prison.” What do you think?