Mafia boss Matteo Denaro's henchmen 'used sheep code'

Before you read: some questions to help you think about the topic and the words you might need.

What do you know about the Italian Mafia?

What words do you already know about hiding from police?

Mafia boss on the run since 1993 communicated with fellow criminals using a code based around sheep, Italian police say.

Officers arrested 11 men they say are linked to the fugitive head of the Sicilian Mafia, Matteo Messina Denaro.

They said Mr Denaro communicated with his henchmen using scraps of paper left at a farm in western Sicily.

Phone messages used to alert the men to new bits of paper or "pizzini" often referred to sheep, police say.

Officers do not believe that the alleged criminals were really discussing agricultural matters.

"The sheep need shearing," "The shears need sharpening" and "The hay is ready" were among the messages passed between mafiosi, police say.

Another said: "I've put the ricotta cheese aside for you, will you come by later?"

La Stampa said (in Italian) that the men were filmed by police over several months. La Repubblica said cameras had been installed in trees to film the men.

They were arrested in raids across Sicily early on Monday. Three of those arrested were over 70 years old.

Mr Denaro has been on the run since 1993 and is seen as the successor to two jailed Mafia godfathers. He once boasted he could "fill a cemetery" with his victims.

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi praised investigators in a post on his Facebook page, adding: "Italy is united against organised crime."

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=2, B=8, C=1, D=7, E=4, F=6, G=3, H=5

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. He was described as the Devil’s henchman because he would do the bad things required of bad people.

2. He didn’t pay the money back, and now he is on the run.

3. Some Americans who commit crimes become fugitives in Mexico where they can hide.

4. The people in the house were alerted about the fire because of the smoke.  

5. It was alleged that he took a bribe, but nobody can prove it.

6. My mother said she would come by later to help me prepare for the Lunar holiday.

7. Immigration did raids on the factory and found ten illegal workers.

8. They boasted that they were the best team, but then they lost the championship.

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. What kind of people would use henchmen? Do you think you could use the word “henchmen” in business English? Where and how?

2. What is a movie you have seen where someone was on the run since?

3. If you were a fugitive from North Korea, what do you think it would be like?

4. Have you ever had to alert the police about something? When would you alert the police?

5. Do you think it is fair that someone alleged of a crime should have their name in the newspaper? Why or why not?

6. Give an example of when you might say to someone ’I will come by later”

7. Do you think being a special type of policeman doing raids on criminals would be exciting?

8. How do you feel if you hear someone boastful? What could they be boasting about?