Murder

at

School

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

During a school reunion a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It's 8:30 p.m. A few minutes later the dead body of Miss Eliza McGowan, a cranky old teacher, is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her ex students, Simon Donnelly, a photograph of one of her fellow teachers, a young man called Saul Sheen, and a handkerchief with the initials I.W. At the moment these are the three main suspects, but everyone who was at the party and saw or spoke to Miss McGowan needs to be questioned.

They'll answer the same questions:

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

WHY WERE YOU AT THE PARTY?

WHAT WAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MISS McGOWAN?

WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE MISS McGOWAN?

WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN YOU HEARD THE SCREAM?

You have to find out:

WHO THE ASSASSIN IS

and

WHY HE/SHE KILLED THE ENGLISH TEACHER

My name is Simon Donnelly; I am an ex-student.

Memories of Miss McGowan: she was a very tough teacher, she made me do extra writing assignments and she said I had talent but I hated all the extra work. But now I’m grateful, I’m a writer, I have just written a new book and I dedicated it to Miss McGowan.

Last time I saw Miss McGowan was at about 7 pm, I gave her a copy of my new book and she was pleased.

When I heard the scream I was talking to Louise King, another ex-student.

My name is Saul Sheen, I am a teacher at the school.

Opinion of Miss McGowan: she was a very serious woman, she wasn't easy to like.

Last time I saw Miss McGowan: nobody at school knows this but Miss McGowan was my mother, she gave me up for adoption when I was a baby. I was having an argument because she wouldn't tell me who my father was. It was about 7:30 pm.

When I heard the scream, I was looking for Mr Green, the headmaster, I knocked on his office door but there was no answer.

My name is Ivan Williams, I am the caretaker at the school.

Opinion of Miss McGowan: I thought that she was a very classy lady; it surprised me that she wasn't married. I wanted to invite her to dinner but I was afraid she would say no.

Last time I saw Miss McGowan she was arguing with Mr. Sheen. I’ve never liked him; he was always upsetting poor Miss McGowan. I went to see if she was okay, I gave her my handkerchief, I always carry one because I have allergies.

When I heard the scream I was cleaning the floor in the men's toilets

My name is Louise King, I am an ex-student.

Memories of Miss McGowan: I thought she was an old witch, I hated her class, she gave too much homework, she made me hate school so I stopped going. I didn't do my exams and now I work in a chicken factory. I think it's all Miss McGowan's fault. I’m glad she's dead!

Last time I saw Miss McGowan was when I went outside for a cigarette at about 8 pm, I saw her with Mr Green, it looked like they were arguing and it seemed serious. Anyway, they were talking about someone called Paul or Raul or something. I couldn't hear very well.

When I heard the scream I was glad for the distraction; I was trying to escape from boring Simon Donnelly.

My name is Lily Simmons, I am an ex-student.

Memories of Miss McGowan: she was a very scary teacher, most of the students worked hard because they were afraid of her. I did very well in English and, because of Miss McGowan, I am training to be a teacher.

Last time I saw Miss McGowan was when I spoke to her briefly at about 7:45. I was telling her about my studies, she didn't seem interested, she kept looking around, then she saw Mr. Green and said she had to go. I thought she was a bit rude.

When I heard the scream I was dancing in the Sports Hall with some of the other ex-students.

My name is Edward Green, I am the headmaster at the school.

Opinion of Miss McGowan: I have known Miss McGowan since we were both students in college, I thought she was a wonderful woman, I will miss her very much.

I was very busy this evening, so I didn't see Miss McGowan at all.

When I heard the scream, I was in my office working on the computer.

My name is Patricia Woods, I am a teacher at the school.

Opinion of Miss McGowan: she was a good teacher but she didn't have very many friends.

Last time I saw Miss McGowan she was walking to her classroom, it was about 8:15 pm and she looked upset. I think she was crying; she was wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

When I heard the scream I was serving drinks with some of the other teachers in the Sports Hall

Well, are you a good detective? If so, answer these questions and send them to your English teacher (who's still alive!!!) on Classroom:

1) Who killed Miss McGowan?

2) Why?

3) How did you find it out?

Credits: onestopenglish.com