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The Seabrook Café Mystery

Students investigate a missing recipe book in a coastal café by reading clues, listening to witness statements, and comparing alibis. They also practice past simple, past continuous, and deduction language to explain what happened and build a final case report.

B1 Intermediate60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Image

Welcome to Seabrook. Look at the café scene and notice any clues.

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2. Vocabulary

  • alibi
    a reason and proof that you were somewhere else during a crime. *Example: Daniel said his alibi was washing pans in the kitchen.*
  • suspect
    a person who may have done something wrong. *Example: Tomas became a suspect after he acted nervously.*
  • motive
    the reason someone may have done the crime. *Example: A festival prize can be a strong motive.*
  • timeline
    the order of events from start to finish. *Example: The team built a timeline from 5:30 to 6:15.*
  • clue
    a piece of information that helps solve a mystery. *Example: A torn note was an important clue.*
  • contradiction
    information that does not match another fact. *Example: Priya’s statement had a contradiction with the schedule.*
  • evidence
    facts or objects that help prove something. *Example: The floor plan was useful evidence.*
  • missing
    not there when you expect it to be. *Example: The recipe book was missing from the counter.*
  • stolen
    taken illegally. *Example: The book was stolen before the festival.*
  • witness
    a person who saw or heard something. *Example: Mia was the witness who noticed movement near the counter.*
  • recipe book
    a book with cooking instructions. *Example: Mina’s recipe book contained the café’s best dishes.*
  • festival prize
    the reward for winning a competition. *Example: The festival prize gave someone a clear reason to steal the book.*
  • must have
    used to say something is very likely true. *Example: The thief must have known the café layout.*
  • might have
    used to say something is possible. *Example: Tomas might have hidden the book near the back room.*
  • can’t have
    used to say something is impossible. *Example: Daniel can’t have taken the book if he stayed in the kitchen.*
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3. Text

Case File: Mina’s Lighthouse Café

The annual food festival in Seabrook begins tomorrow, and Mina’s Lighthouse Café has the best chance of winning the prize for the town’s signature dish. This morning, Mina opened the café and found something alarming: the handwritten recipe book was gone from the shelf behind the counter.

A few small details made the staff uneasy. The counter gate was not locked, a flour-covered footprint led toward the back corridor, and a torn corner of paper was found near the till. No one saw the book leave the café, but someone clearly had time, access, and a reason to act before the festival.

The first witness statements do not agree. One person says the kitchen door was open. Another says a staff member was near the storage shelf. A third mentions a quiet argument about the festival menu. For now, the team must build a timeline, compare the alibis, and decide which clue matters most.

Context note: In a whodunit, an alibi is the explanation a person gives for where they were when something happened.

Discussion questions

  1. Which detail seems most useful at first: the footprint, the torn paper, or the open gate? Why?
  2. What kind of person would care most about the recipe book before a food festival?

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4. Listening

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Listening: Mia’s statement

Listen carefully to the witness statement. Focus on the time, where people were, and any unusual details. Then answer the questions below.

  1. What time does Mia mention?
  2. Where was Mia working when she noticed the activity?
  3. Who did she see near the service area?
  4. What was one person doing near the entrance?
  5. What detail suggests someone was behaving strangely?
  6. What happened a few minutes later?
  7. What does Mia say she did not see?

Tip: Listen for location words, time expressions, and actions in progress.

Teacher audio script
Mia: I was clearing the tables by the front window at about six o'clock. The café was already busy because the food festival had started early. I noticed Daniel in the kitchen, carrying plates toward the service area. Priya was near the entrance, checking the order sheet with a supplier. Tomas came in for a quick coffee, but he kept turning around and watching the room. A few minutes later, I went back to the counter and saw that the recipe book was gone. I did not see anyone leave the café with it.

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5. Multiple choice

Listen to the witness statement and choose the best answer for each question.

1.

Where was Mia when she noticed the unusual activity?

  • By the window tables

  • In the office

  • Outside the café

  • In the storage room

2.

Who did Mia see in the kitchen area?

  • Daniel

  • Tomas

  • Priya

  • The delivery driver

3.

Who was Mia speaking to near the entrance?

  • Daniel

  • Priya

  • A delivery driver

  • Tomas

4.

What detail did Mia mention about the timing?

  • It happened before five o'clock

  • It happened at about six o'clock

  • It happened after closing time

  • It happened the next morning

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1A. By the window tables
  • Q2A. Daniel
  • Q3C. A delivery driver
  • Q4B. It happened at about six o'clock

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6. Image

Use the floor plan to track where each person could have gone.

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7. Listening

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Listening: The staff schedule

Listen carefully to the short conversation. Focus on the time, where each person was working, and what is said about the back room and Tomas’s story.

After listening, answer the questions below:

  1. What time does Priya mention first?
  2. Where was Daniel working when the book went missing?
  3. What detail shows that the back room was not completely closed?
  4. What does Tomas say he was doing at the counter?
  5. Which part of Tomas’s account sounds doubtful?
  6. What can you infer about who had access to the back room?
Teacher audio script
Priya: At half past five, Daniel was setting up the dessert tray in the kitchen, and I was sorting the festival orders in the office. Tomas arrived a little after six and stood near the counter for a few minutes.
Daniel: I was washing pans when it happened, and I stayed in the kitchen the whole time.
Priya: The back room door was open for part of the evening, but only staff were allowed inside.
Daniel: Tomas said he was just buying coffee, but he kept looking toward the shelves and he left very quickly.
Priya: Yes, and that is strange, because he told me he was waiting for a friend outside.
Daniel: So his story does not match.
Priya: Exactly. We need to check the timeline again.

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8. Grammar

Grammar Focus: Past Simple, Past Continuous, and Deduction Modals

In this mystery, we often need to describe what happened, what was happening, and what we think is true based on the evidence.

1) Past Simple

Use the past simple for finished actions in the past.

Form: subject + past verb

Examples:

  • Daniel locked the kitchen door at 5:45.
  • Priya checked the festival orders before dinner.
  • Tomas entered the café with a paper bag.
  • Mia noticed the empty counter at six o’clock.

2) Past Continuous

Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a specific time in the past.

Form: subject + was/were + verb-ing

Examples:

  • Daniel was washing the pans when the book disappeared.
  • Priya was speaking to a supplier while customers waited.
  • Tomas was standing near the counter at the same time.
  • The staff were preparing for the festival all afternoon.

3) Modals of Deduction

Use these modal forms to say what you think happened.

must have

Use must have when you are very sure.

  • The thief must have known the café layout.
  • Priya must have seen the schedule before anyone else.

might have

Use might have when something is possible, but you are not sure.

  • Tomas might have taken the book while people were busy.
  • The recipe book might have been moved to the back room.

can’t have

Use can’t have when something is impossible or very unlikely.

  • Daniel can’t have left the kitchen at 6:00 if he was washing pans.
  • The book can’t have disappeared by accident if it was hidden carefully.

4) How the meanings work in a mystery

  • Past simple = a completed fact in the timeline.
  • Past continuous = background action or an action in progress.
  • Deduction modals = your logical conclusion from the clues.

Compare these sentences:

  • Priya checked the orders. (finished action)
  • Priya was checking the orders when Mia walked past. (action in progress)
  • Priya must have known about the festival prize. (strong deduction)
  • Tomas might have seen the book near the counter. (possible deduction)
  • Daniel can’t have taken the book through the dining area. (impossible deduction)

5) Common mistakes

  • Wrong: Daniel was wash the pans.
    Correct: Daniel was washing the pans.
  • Wrong: Mia notice the missing book.
    Correct: Mia noticed the missing book.
  • Wrong: He must to have taken it.
    Correct: He must have taken it.
  • Wrong: She might took it.
    Correct: She might have taken it.
  • Wrong: They can’t have lefted quietly.
    Correct: They can’t have left quietly.

6) Quick memory tip

  • Use past simple for the event.
  • Use past continuous for the background.
  • Use must have / might have / can’t have for your detective conclusion.

In this case, the evidence helps you say not only what happened, but also who probably did it and why.

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9. Grammar practice

Choose the best grammar form for each sentence.

1.

At 5:45, Priya ___ the festival invoices in the office.

  • checked

  • was checking

  • is checking

  • checks

2.

While the customers were talking near the counter, Daniel ___ plates in the kitchen.

  • washed

  • was washing

  • is washing

  • has washed

3.

The recipe book ___ on the shelf because Mina found the shelf empty five minutes earlier.

  • must have been

  • might have been

  • can’t have been

  • was being

4.

Tomas ___ a coffee when Mia saw him by the front door.

  • bought

  • was buying

  • is buying

  • buys

5.

The back room light was on, so someone ___ inside recently.

  • must have been

  • might have been

  • can’t have been

  • must be

6.

Daniel said he ___ the sink when the alarm started.

  • cleaned

  • was cleaning

  • is cleaning

  • cleans

7.

Mina heard footsteps in the hallway, but she ___ anyone leave the café.

  • saw

  • was seeing

  • didn’t see

  • hasn’t seen

8.

The torn note was under the sugar jar, so the thief ___ it there by accident.

  • must have hidden

  • might have hidden

  • can’t have hidden

  • hid

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1B. was checking
  • Q2B. was washing
  • Q3C. can’t have been
  • Q4B. was buying
  • Q5A. must have been
  • Q6B. was cleaning
  • Q7C. didn’t see
  • Q8B. might have hidden

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10. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Team Investigation: Who Looks Most Suspicious?

Work in pairs or small groups. Use the witness statement, the floor plan, and the staff schedule to build your case. Your goal is to decide which suspect looks most suspicious and explain your reasoning clearly.

Step 1: Compare the facts

Take turns answering these prompts:

  • What was each person doing when the book disappeared?
  • Which places in the café seem important for the theft?
  • Which detail from the evidence does not fit a story or alibi?
  • What does the timeline show about the moment of the theft?

Step 2: Test the alibis

Discuss each suspect one by one:

  • Daniel: What was he doing, and does his story fit the evidence?
  • Priya: Where was she, and is there anything unusual in her account?
  • Tomas: What makes his movements interesting or doubtful?

Step 3: Make deductions

Use these sentence starters in your discussion:

  • He / she must have ...
  • He / she might have ...
  • He / she can’t have ...
  • That could be a contradiction because ...
  • The strongest evidence is ...
  • The alibi is weak / strong because ...

Step 4: Reach a team verdict

Choose one suspect and explain:

  • why you think this person is the most suspicious
  • which two clues support your decision
  • which detail is the biggest contradiction

Useful speaking challenge

If another student disagrees, ask for proof:

  • What makes you say that?
  • Which clue supports your idea?
  • How does that fit the timeline?
  • Can you show me the evidence on the floor plan?

Final speaking task

Give a 30-second team conclusion to the class: name your suspect, describe the motive, and say what you think happened in the café.

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11. Board game

Student's turn

Student
Teacher

Move through the clue board and collect evidence before making your accusation.

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12. Matching

Match each clue to the suspect or place it supports.

Column A

  • Was polishing glasses in the office area
  • Stayed by the counter after six o'clock
  • Was cleaning pans in the kitchen
  • The book was gone from here
  • Staff paperwork was checked here
  • The open storage area behind the café

Column B

  • Priya
  • Tomas
  • Daniel
  • counter
  • office
  • back room

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • 1. Was polishing glasses in the office areaPriya
  • 2. Stayed by the counter after six o'clockTomas
  • 3. Was cleaning pans in the kitchenDaniel
  • 4. The book was gone from herecounter
  • 5. Staff paperwork was checked hereoffice
  • 6. The open storage area behind the caféback room

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13. Writing task

Students write a short detective case report about the Seabrook café mystery. They must name the most likely culprit, explain the motive, describe at least two clues, and use past simple, past continuous, and deduction language such as must have, might have, and can’t have. Keep the tone clear and adult-friendly.

Aim for at least 70 words.

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14. Voice message

Record a voice message of 45–90 seconds as if you are reporting your conclusion to Mina, the café owner.

In your message:

  • say who you think took the recipe book
  • explain the motive
  • mention two pieces of evidence from the investigation
  • use deduction language such as must have, might have, and can’t have
  • speak in complete sentences and try to sound clear and confident

Tip: Organise your message like a mini case report: verdict, motive, evidence, and final conclusion.

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15. Text

The Solution

The recipe book was taken by Tomas. He had a clear motive: winning the festival prize for his own bakery. The evidence points to him because he was near the counter at the right time, and his story does not fully fit the timeline. He said he left quickly, but the witness noticed movement toward the back of the café. That means he must have known where to hide the book. He might have used the busy counter area to distract staff, but he can’t have left the café empty-handed in front of everyone.

The book was hidden in a surprising place: inside the dry-goods cupboard behind the sugar bags. Mina found it there later, wrapped in a tea towel.

Grammar in the report

  • Past simple: for finished actions — Tomas took the book.
  • Past continuous: for actions in progress — Mia was clearing tables when she noticed the movement.
  • Deduction modals: for logical conclusions — He must have planned it. / He might have waited for the right moment. / He can’t have expected Mina to check the cupboard first.

Quick discussion

  1. Which clue was the strongest proof?
  2. What contradiction made Tomas look guilty?
  3. Why was the hiding place clever?
  4. How would you explain the verdict in one sentence?

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16. AI conversation

Roles chosen for this lessonTopic-based chat

Who is responsible for what

Stay in your role during the live voice chat. The AI partner follows the other role.

You (student)

Lead investigator

AI partner

Investigation partner

What to do

  • Use your microphone and talk for about 5 minutes.
  • Stay in role and stay on the mystery topic.
  • Explain the clues, alibis, and contradictions using past simple, past continuous, and deduction words like must have, might have, and can’t have.
  • Finish by saying who took the recipe book and why, with proof.

Students connect here for a live 5-minute AI voice conversation.

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