Farm Worker Jailed for Starting Eleven Fires in France
Listen to the story
A man in France started eleven fires in fifteen days. He worked on a farm. A court in the city of Niort sent him to prison for two years.
The man used a small blowtorch to burn grass. He said, "I don't know why I did this. I don't like fire."
Police called the man an arsonist. An arsonist is a person who starts fires on purpose. This is a crime.
The judge gave him a sentence of two years. This means he must stay in prison for two years. The court said the sentence is firm. This means he cannot avoid it.
The man's job was in agriculture. This means work on farms with plants and animals. Many fires happen near farms and fields.
The eleven fires were very dangerous. Fires can destroy plants, trees, and homes. They can also hurt people and animals.
The court in Niort decided the punishment. A court is a place where judges decide about crimes.
This story shows that starting fires is a serious crime. People who do this can go to prison.
Vocabulary6 words
- blowtorch
- a small tool that makes a hot flame
- burn
- to destroy something with fire
- arsonist
- a person who starts fires on purpose
- sentence
- the punishment a judge gives
- firm
- sure; cannot be changed
- agriculture
- work on farms
Quiz
Answer key
1. A blowtorch 2. Eleven 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A man in France started _____ fires in fifteen days. He worked on a _____. A court in the city of Niort sent him to prison for two _____.
The man used a small _____ to burn grass. He said, "I don't know why I did this. I don't like _____."
Police called the man an _____. This is a _____.
The judge gave him a _____ of two years. The court said the sentence is _____.
The man's job was in _____. Many fires happen near farms and fields.