B2 Reading: True Crime Podcasts (Upper-Intermediate English)
- Alex
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Download the PDF for self-study or for the ESL classroom.
Level B2 Intermediate English Reading Practice: True Crime Podcasts
People have long been fascinated by crime, especially by the minds and motives of criminals. From Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty to John Wick and the assassins of the High Table, we seem drawn to stories of murder and mystery. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that true crime podcasts have exploded in popularity. But what is it about these bone-chilling stories that draws people in? Why do so many people enjoy accounts of disturbed and violent criminals? The answers may be tied to our most basic human instincts.
Thrills and Chills
True crime podcasts naturally provide an immersive sensory experience. We hear leaves crunching as a reporter walks through a forest, or laboured breathing as a detective runs to their next clue. Just as we imagine how a story will end, we imagine what is happening based on what we hear. This sensory experience activates one of our most primal instincts: fear. Because even though we know we are safe, our bodies react to the horror and tension of the story in our ears. Our hearts beat faster. Our nerves grow tenser. And yet, we can't stop listening because the thrills and chills make us feel alive. We enjoy the journey even if—perhaps especially if—the journey is dark and dangerous.
Mystery
Another reason people listen to audio crime stories is because we enjoy solving mysteries. Most people like puzzles, and everyone likes to feel smart. In the case of true crime podcasts, we think we can outsmart the storyteller by guessing how a mystery is going to end, or trying to figure out if the authorities missed something in an old murder case. Maybe we can't decide what we are going to have for dinner, but if we can work out what happened in Baltimore in January 1999, we can still have a sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, these podcasts satisfy our desire to play detective and find answers to problems.
Justice
Finally, people who listen to true crime shows want to see justice done. We want to believe that there is order in the world and that people who do bad things will get what they deserve. While most people (hopefully!) believe in kindness and mercy, the primal desire for just punishment is hard to ignore. We feel cheated, disappointed, and perhaps even angry if a criminal gets away with it. When it comes to crime, "It's not fair!" is not something that only children say.
Conclusion
Like all forms of entertainment, true crime podcasts provide an escape from the everyday. We love the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of the solve, and the balancing of the scales of justice. In the end, these stories engage and entertain us because they activate some of our most human desires and instincts.
Extra Reading
8 true crime podcasts that helped crack real life crimes
https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/articles/5-true-crime-podcasts-helped-crack-real-life-crimes
Why are we fascinated by true crime?
Comprehension Questions
True or False
Humans' fascination with crime is a recent development.
True crime podcasts appeal to basic human feelings and emotions.
Audio stories can activate our senses.
We like scary stories when we feel safe and know there is no danger.
Humans like scary stories more than all other types of stories.
True crime listeners like to feel smarter than the narrator.
True crime podcasts activate our problem-solving skills.
Everyone believes that people should be kind and merciful.
Most people want to believe that the world is not chaotic.
People like true crime podcasts because the criminal is always punished.
Answers
F - People have long been fascinated by crime.
T - These stories engage and entertain us because they activate some of our most human desires and instincts. (example: desire for justice, fear instinct)
T - True crime podcasts naturally provide an immersive sensory experience.
T - Because even though we know we are safe, our bodies react to the horror and tension of the story in our ears...we can't stop listening because the thrills and chills make us feel alive.
F - We enjoy the journey even if—perhaps especially if—the journey is dark and dangerous.
T - Most people like puzzles, and everyone likes to feel smart. In the case of true crime podcasts, we think we can outsmart the storyteller by guessing how a mystery is going to end.
T - Another reason people listen to audio crime stories is because we enjoy solving mysteries. Most people like puzzles...Ultimately, these podcasts satisfy our desire to play detective and find answers to problems.
F - While most people (hopefully!) believe in kindness and mercy,...
T - We want to believe that there is order in the world.
F - We feel cheated, disappointed, and perhaps even angry if a criminal gets away with it.
This upper-intermediate English text is ideal for B2 learners who can talk easily about everyday topics, as well as a variety of social issues. They can use most tenses with consistent accuracy and have a high level of fluency with almost no hesitation when connecting ideas, but they need more exposure to authentic English materials to boost their knowledge of idioms and cultural references.
Read the text and answer the comprehension questions. You can also listen to the audio to practice your listening and speaking skills.
For Teachers
You can follow up this reading by asking students these questions:
Have you listened to any true crime podcasts or watched any crime dramas?
Do you enjoy murder mystery stories? Why or why not? Do you have any favourites?
Do you agree with this text? Do you think it's missing anything?
In your opinion, what are the principal causes of crime?
English Reading Practice
Note: This text was written by Alex, a human. It was not generated by AI.