Room 13: Mystery at the Motel

October 15, 2025
mystery esl lesson b1

Room 13: Secret of the Motel is a spooky B1 ESL lesson perfect for Halloween. Students read about a missing guest at a haunted motel and try to solve the mystery. They learn and practice new vocabulary like haunted, clue, and confess. Step by step, they discuss clues, form theories, and guess who is responsible. The lesson ends with a fun reveal and group reflection on how fear can play tricks on the mind.

Student's Version (Light/Dark)

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Teacher's Version (Answer Keys)

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Printable Classroom Version (A4)

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LevelVocabularyLesson Time
B1 /Intermediate10 words60 min

Room 13 mystery at the Motel Image1
Room 13 mystery at the Motel Image2

Vocabulary

  • motel 
  • haunted 
  • security camera 
  • flashlight 
  • basement 
  • keycard 
  • candle wax 
  • suspicious 
  • disappear 
  • confess

Contents

  • Lead-in
  • Vocabulary match
  • Case intro 
  • Characters
  • Timeline of events
  • Clues 1-10
  • The truth
  • Questions
  • Quote

Oksana

Teaching for 10+ years has taken me across cultures, from living in Asia to working with diverse students worldwide. Now, I focus on general and business English for adults, crafting lessons that are engaging, practical, and inspired by my love for travel, photography, and culture.