English Refresher

R
Speaking Roleplay · Level B1 · No sign-up

Murder at Ravenwood Manor

Sir Edmund Ravenwood is dead, and one of his five guests is the killer. Question the suspects, search the manor and read the evidence — then say who did it, and why. A full crime-scene investigation that gets even quiet classes talking.

01

Whole class

Investigate together on the big screen.

02

Level B1

Clear, everyday English for teens.

03

You practise

Past tenses, questions & deduction.

04

About 30 min

Five suspects. Ten clues. One culprit.

Case File 1894 · Level B1
Murder at Ravenwood Manor
Police report · the night of the storm

The body of Sir Edmund Ravenwood was found in the library at 9:15 p.m.

Last night, the rich and famous Sir Edmund invited five guests to dinner at his manor. At nine o’clock, the storm cut the electricity and the house went dark. When the lights came back, Sir Edmund was dead on the library floor.

Nobody left the manor. That means the killer is still inside — and it is one of the five guests. Your job, detective, is to find out who did it.

Victim
Sir Edmund
Time of death
About 9:10 p.m.
Suspects
Five guests
How to play
  1. Question the suspects. Open each of the five guests and ask them questions. Read their answers carefully — some people are telling the truth, and some are lying.
  2. Search the manor. Look in the four rooms to find evidence. Every clue you find goes into your detective’s notebook.
  3. Talk it through. As a class, decide for each suspect: must have done it, might have done it, or can’t have done it. Give your reasons out loud.
  4. Name the killer. When you are ready, make your accusation and explain the evidence. Then the truth is revealed.
Detective language — useful phrases
Asking questions
  • Where were you at nine o’clock?
  • What were you doing?
  • Did you see anyone?
  • Why did you argue with him?
Talking about the past
  • I was reading when the lights went out.
  • She left the room at 9 p.m.
  • He didn’t see anybody.
Modals of deduction (guessing)
  • He must have done it.
  • She might have done it.
  • They can’t have done it.
The Investigation
Clues found: 0 / 10

Question the suspects

Search the manor

Detective’s Notebook

Every clue you have found so far. Read them together and look for connections.

Weigh the suspects

Before you accuse anyone, decide on each guest. Use the evidence and say your reasons out loud as a class.
Can’t have — impossible Might have — possible Must have — almost certain

Detective, who killed Sir Edmund?

Choose one suspect. Then choose the evidence that proves it. Be sure — you only get one accusation.
What is your strongest proof?