The Heist

1. What heist/bank robbery films have you seen?

2. Do you enjoy this type of movie? Why? Why not?
3. How do people typically rob banks in films? What strategies do they
use?
4. How can heists go wrong?
Read the text about a bank heist, what went wrong?

The plan had been simple. I had been instrumental in drawing it up, I’d worked in that branch for over 5
years and had taken note of all the little intricacies and predicted all the problems we might have to contend
with down to the last detail; I was nothing if not meticulous. I had done everything in my power to make
sure everything went like clockwork. In the lead-up to the big day some doubts had been preying on my
mind to such an extent that I hadn’t got a wink of sleep, but it was nothing out of the ordinary.

We’d stuck to the plan to the letter. Aside from a rocky start, when the getaway driver had kept us waiting
for the best part of an hour, everything had gone smoothly, almost too smoothly. The bank clerk had
offered no resistance, the security guard had admitted defeat pretty quickly, clearly realising that facing off
against armed robbers was above his pay grade. The manager made a bit of a fuss about handing over
the combination to the vault but Tony soon made him see sense. A gun barrel pressed to your forehead can
be very persuasive. I’m not 100% on board with how Tony conducts himself but you can’t make an
omelette without breaking some eggs. He had risen to fame as useful muscle for a tight spot but he
wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.

Barry got to work on the vault without interference and before long we were stuffing the duffle bags with wads
of cold, hard cash, it was a beautiful sight, which did wonders for everyone’s confidence. Maybe that was it,
we got too cocky, little did we know what lay in store for us outside. Tony was the first to catch sight of
the blue lights, I was loath to start shooting but, as always, there was no stopping Tony, they didn't call him
the loose cannon for nothing. All of a sudden it was like a warzone, Tony didn’t stand a chance, neither did
Barry. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I got out alive. It was obvious that the game was up, it must have
been a set-up but who had ratted us out? I guess that’s something I’ll be pondering for the next 25 years. It
ain’t so bad, running water, 3 square meals a day and a roof over my head. I guess I should spare a
thought for those who were not so lucky.

1. How had they planned for the robbery?

2. What was the first problem they encountered?
3. How did the staff in the bank react?
4. What are the pros and cons of the way Tony behaves?
5. What happens to Tony and Barry?
6. Where is the narrator at the end of the story?

Language Focus
Look at the expressions in bold.
1. Discuss their meaning with your partner.
2. How familiar are the expressions to you? Mark them with:
a. A tick if you’ve heard them before
b. A wavy line if they ring a bell
c. A cross if they’re completely new to you.
Version 2:
Read this version and try to recall the expressions using the words in brackets.
The plan had been simple. I had been instrumental in (1) creating it (DRAWING), I’d worked in that branch for
over 5 years and had (2) written down (NOTE) all the little intricacies and predicted all the problems we
might have to (3) face (WITH) down to the last detail; I was (4) extremely (NOTHING) meticulous. I had (5)
done all I could (POWER) to make sure everything (6) worked properly (CLOCKWORK). In the lead-up to
the big day some doubts had been (7) worrying me (MIND) to such an extent that I had(8) not slept at all
(WINK), but it was (9) normal (NOTHING).

We’d (10) followed the plan (TO) (11) precisely (LETTER). Aside from a (12) difficult beginning (START),
when the getaway driver had (13) made us wait (KEPT) for (14) almost an hour (PART), everything had
gone smoothly, almost too smoothly. The bank clerk had offered no resistance, the security guard had (15)
given up (DEFEAT) pretty quickly, clearly realising that (16) combatting (FACING) armed robbers was (17)
too much for his salary (GRADE). The manager (18) protested (FUSS) about (19) giving (HAND) the
combination to the vault but Tony soon made him see sense. A gun barrel pressed to your forehead can be
very persuasive. I’m not 100% (20) in agreement (BOARD) with how Tony (21) behaves (HIMSELF) but (22)
sometimes you have to upset people to make progress (EGGS) He had (23) become famous (FAME) as
useful muscle for (24) a difficult situation (TIGHT) but he was (25) not very clever. (TOOL)

Barry got to work on the vault without interference and (26) soon (LONG) we were stuffing the duffle bags with
(27) packs of money (WADS). It was a beautiful sight, which (28) was very good for (WONDERS)
everyone’s confidence. Maybe that was it, we got too (29) overconfident, (30) we had no idea (LITTLE) what
(31) was waiting for (STORE) us outside. Tony was the first (32) to see (SIGHT) the blue lights, I (33) really
didn’t want to (LOATH) start shooting but, as always, there was no stopping Tony, they didn't call him the
(34) dangerously unpredictable person (LOOSE) for nothing. (35) Suddenly (SUDDEN) it was like a
warzone, Tony didn’t stand a chance, neither did Barry. (36) It’s miraculous that (NOTHING) I got out alive. It
was obvious that (37) it was finished (GAME), it must have been (38) a trap (UP) but who had (39) told the
police (RATTED)? I guess that’s something I’ll be pondering for the next 25 years. It ain’t so bad, running
water, 3 square meals a day and a roof over my head. I guess I should (40) consider (THOUGHT) those who
were not so lucky.

1. DRAWING……………………………………… 21. HIMSELF………………………………………..

2. NOTE………………………………………….... 22. EGGS…………………………………………...
3. WITH……………………………………………. 23. FAME…………………………………………….
4. NOTHING………………………………………. 24. TIGHT…………………………………………...
5. POWER……………………………………….... 25. TOOL……………………………………………
6. CLOCKWORK…………………………………. 26. LONG……………………………………………
7. MIND……………………………………………. 27. WADS…………………………………………...
8. WINK……………………………………………. 28. WONDERS……………………………………..
9. NOTHING………………………………………. 29. …………………………………………………...
10. TO……………………………………………….. 30. LITTLE………………………………………….
11. LETTER………………………………………… 31. STORE………………………………………….
12. START………………………………………….. 32. SIGHT…………………………………………..
13. KEPT……………………………………………. 33. LOATH………………………………………….
14. PART……………………………………………. 34. LOOSE………………………………………….
15. DEFEAT………………………………………… 35. SUDDEN……………………………………….
16. FACING………………………………………… 36. NOTHING………………………………………
17. GRADE…………………………………………. 37. GAME…………………………………………..
18. FUSS……………………………………………. 38. UP……………………………………………….
19. HAND…………………………………………... 39. RATTED………………………………………..
20. BOARD…………………………………………. 40. THOUGHT……………………………………...
Speaking - Plan a Bank Robbery
Information about the bank
The bank is open from 9am until 3pm Monday–Friday. The afternoon is the busiest time, while mid-morning
(about 10am–11am) has the least customers. Apart from the money used by the bank clerks, all the money is
stored in the vault. Only the manager and the administrator know the secret code to open the vault.
Underneath the administrator’s desk is a button which starts an alarm ringing and calls the police. The
manager keeps a gun in the drawer of his desk.

Use the picture on the last page to help you.

Choose 3 items from the list: Choose a vehicle:

● large bag ● Van
● pepper spray ● school bus
● large knife ● sports car
● rope ● etc.
● handgun Decide on your roles:
● shotgun ● Leader/negotiator
● 4 masks ● Muscle
● dynamite ● Getaway driver
● a police uniform ● Computer whizzkid
● Demolition expert/safe breaker
● Decoy/plant (actor)

Language:
Expressing opinion Making Suggestions
● To my mind, ● I think we ought to….
● I’m of the mind that… ● Why don’t we….?
● The way I see it, ● How about ….ing?
● As I see it, ● Wouldn’t it be better to...?
● From my point of view/ perspective, ● Have you considered ...ing?
● I look at it like this… ● We could always….
● I’m a firm/big believer in… ● What if we….?
● Look, here’s what I think… ● I suggest that we…
● If you ask me,… ● Here’s an idea, hear me out….
● I hold the view that… ● It’s crucial/essential/paramount that….

Agreeing
● Totally/Absolutely/Exactly
● I think we’re on the same page here.
● I’m with you on that one.
● I couldn’t agree more.
● Hear, hear!
● I’d go along with that.
● I was just going to say that.
● You took the words right out of my mouth.
Disagreeing
● I see what you mean but…
● I take your point but…
● I beg to differ I’m afraid.
● I’m afraid I have to disagree with you there.
● Yes but if we look at it from another angle…
● That’s not exactly how I see it.
● No, you’ve lost me there.
● I’m afraid I just don’t buy it.

Asking for opinion Rephrasing

● What’s your take on this? ● What I mean is...
● Where do you stand on this topic? ● I guess what I'm trying to say is...
● What do you reckon? | wɒdəjə ˈrekən | ● In other words…
● Would you go along with that? ● To put it another way…
● What are your thoughts on this? ● How can I put this?
Key Word Transformations
Complete the second sentence using 3-8 words so that it has a similar meaning to the first.
1. At times like these we should consider people who aren’t as lucky as us.
THOUGHT
At times like these we should…………………………………………………….. fortunate than us.
2. The way Martin behaved was completely unacceptable.
CONDUCTED
The way Martin……………………………………………………………………. line.
3. I couldn’t fix my laptop myself so I gave up and paid someone to fix it.
DEFEAT
I couldn’t fix my laptop so I…………………………………………. repaired.
4. You should start doing yoga, it’ll be really good for your back.
WONDERS
You should take……………………………………………. your back.
5. I’ll do everything I can to make sure everyone follows the plan.
POWER
I’ll do everything ………………………………………………………………..to the plan
6. I’ve been worrying all week about the big presentation I have to do on Friday.
MIND
The big presentation I have to do on Friday has…………………………………… all week.
7. It’s miraculous that nobody was killed in the explosion.
NOTHING
It’s…………………………………...…………………. their life in the explosion.
8. She’s extremely professional.
NOTHING
She’s………………………………………………….. professional.
9. The waiters were so slow, we had to wait for almost an hour for our food.
KEPT
The waiters……………………………………………….……….. part of an hour.
10. To begin with it was difficult, but everything went well in the end.
ROCKY
Despite a……………………………………………………...smoothly in the end.
KEY – KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS
1. Spare a thought for // those less/people who are less
2. Conducted himself was // completely out of
3. Admitted defeat and // got/had it
4. Up yoga // it’ll do/work wonders for
5. In my power // to make sure/ensure everyone sticks
6. Been preying // on my mind
7. Nothing short of a miracle // (that) nobody lost
8. Nothing // if not
9. Kept us waiting for // the best
10. Rocky start // everything went