The Dying Detective (Prose)

Class 10 | English | Unit 7

The Dying Detective

Prose

Arthur Conan Doyle

The detective Sherlock Holmes was seriously ill. He wanted to meet his assistant Watson. He asked his landlady to get him. Watson was surprised to see the condition of his master. Was Watson able to save his master? Read on to know more about the underlying story behind Holmes' sickness.

Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, came to me and said, "Mr. Holmes is dying, Mr. Watson. For three days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last another day. He would not let me get a doctor. I told him I could not stand it anymore and would get a doctor."

He replied, "Let it be Watson then."

I was horrified for I had not heard about his illness before. I rushed for my hat and coat. As we drove back, I asked her about the details.

"There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been working on a case down at Rotherhithe, near the river, and has brought this illness back with him. He took to bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since. For three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips."

"Why did you not call a doctor?" I asked.

"He wouldn't have it, sir. I didn't dare to disobey him."

a. How did Watson feel when he heard of Holmes' illness?

b. Why didn't the landlady call the doctor?

He was indeed a sad sight. In the dim light of a foggy November day, the sick-room was a gloomy spot, but it was the gaunt face staring from the bed that brought chill to my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever, his cheeks were flushed, and his hand twitched all the time. He lay listless.

"My dear fellow!" I cried approaching him.

"Stand back! Stand right back!" he cried.

"But why? I want to help you," I said.

"Certainly, Watson, but it is for your own sake."

"For my sake?" I was surprised.

"I know what is the matter with me. It is the disease from Sumatra. It is deadly and contagious, Watson – that's it, by touch."

"Good heavens, Holmes! Do you think this can stop me?" I said advancing towards him.

"If you will stand there, I will talk. If you don't you must leave the room," said my master.

I have always given in to Holmes' wishes. But now my feelings as a doctor were aroused. I was at least his master in the sick-room.

"Holmes," I said, "you are not yourself whether you like it or not. I will examine your symptoms and treat you."

"If I am to have a doctor," said he, "let me at least have someone in whom I have confidence."

"Then you have none in me?"

"In your friendship, certainly. But facts are facts, Watson. You are a general practitioner, not a specialist of this disease."

"If so, let me bring Sir Japer Meek or Penrose Fisher, or any other best man in London."

"How ignorant you are! Watson!" he said with a groan.

"What do you know about Tarpaunli fever or the black Formosa plague?"

"I have never heard of them," I admitted.

c. What was the condition of Holmes when Watson saw him?

d. What according to Holmes was the disease he was suffering from?

"There are many problems of the disease in the East. I have learnt that much during my recent researches. And during this course I caught this illness," he said.

"I will bring Dr. Ainstree then," I said going towards the door.

Never have I had such a shock when the dying man bolted the door and locked it, shouted in an uncontrolled way and in a moment he was back in his bed.

"You won't have the key by force from me Watson. Be here till 6 o'clock. It is four now".

"This is madness, Holmes," I said.

"Only two hours, Watson. Then you can get a doctor of my choice. You can read some books, over there. At six we will talk again."

Unable to settle down to reading, I walked slowly round and round, looking at the pictures. Finally I came to the mantle piece, where among other things I saw a small black and white ivory box with sliding lid. As I held it in my hand to examine it, I heard a dreadful cry. "Put it down! Down at once, Watson," he said, "I hate to have my things touched. Sit down man, and let me have my rest!"

Then I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time had passed.

"Now Watson," he said, "Have you any change?"

"Yes," I replied.

"How many half-crowns? Put them in your watch – pocket. And all the rest in your trouser pocket. You will light the gas lamp, but it must be half on. You will have the kindness to place some letters and paper on the table within my reach. Now place the ivory box on the table within my reach. Slide the lid a bit with tongs. Put the tongs on the table. Good! Now you can go and fetch Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke Street''.

I was hesitant to leave him now. He was delirious.

"I have never heard of the name,'' I said.

"Well, he is the man who has the knowledge of this disease but he is not a medical man. He is a planter. He lives in Sumatra, now visiting London. I didn't want you to go before six, because you wouldn't have found him in his study. I hope you will be able to persuade him to come. You will tell him exactly how you have left me." He said, "You must tell him that I'm dying – plead with him, Watson."

"I'll bring him in a cab,'' I said.

"No. You will persuade him to come and return before him. Make any excuse. Remember this, Watson."

I saw Mrs. Hudson was waiting outside, trembling and crying. Below, as I waited for the cab, I met Inspector Morton of the Scotland Yard. He was not in his uniform.

"How is he?" asked Inspector Morton.

"He is very ill," I answered.

I reached Mr. Culverton Smith's house. The butler appeared at the doorway. Through the half-open door I heard a man's voice telling the butler, "I am not at home, say so." I pushed past the butler and entered the room. I saw a frail man with bald head sitting. "I am sorry," I said, "but the matter cannot be delayed. Mr. Sherlock Holmes…………."

The mere mention of his name had a different effect on the man.

"Have you come from Holmes? How is he?" he asked.

"He is very ill. That is why I have come. Mr. Holmes has a high opinion of you and thought you are the only man in London who can help him."

The little man was startled.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because of your knowledge of the Eastern diseases," I replied.

"How did he get it?" he asked.

I told him everything. He smiled and agreed to come. Pretending that I had some other appointment. I left him. With a sinking heart I reached Holmes' room. I told him that Mr. Smith was coming.

"Well done! Watson!" he said. "You have done everything that a good friend could do. Now you disappear to the next room. And don't speak, or come here."

e. Who did Watson see when he entered the room?

f. What were the instructions given by Holmes to Watson?

I heard the footsteps. I heard a voice say, "Holmes! Holmes! Can you hear me?"

"Is that you Mr. Smith?" Holmes whispered. "You know what is wrong with me. You are the only one in London who can cure me."

"Do you know the symptoms?" asked Smith.

"Only too well, Mr. Smith," and he described the symptoms.

"They are the same, Holmes," Smith said, "Poor Victor was a dead man on the fourth day -a strong and healthy young man. What a coincidence indeed!"

"I know that you did it," said Holmes.

"Well, you can't prove it."

"Give me water, please," Holmes groaned.

"Here." I heard Smith's voice.

"Cure me, please. Well, about Victor Savage's death. You did it. I'll forget everything, but cure me. I'll forget about it."

"You can forget or remember, just as you like. It doesn't matter to me how my nephew died. Watson said you got it from the Chinese sailors. Could there be any other reason?"

"I can't think. My mind is gone, help me," pleaded Holmes.

"Did anything come by post? A box by chance? On Wednesday?"

"Yes I opened it and there was a sharp spring inside it. A joke perhaps. It drew blood," said Holmes.

"No, it was not a joke, you fool, you've got it. Who asked you to cross my path? You knew too much about Victor's death. Your end is near, Holmes. I'll carry this box in my pocket. The last piece of evidence!"

"Turn up the gas, Smith," said Holmes in his natural voice.

"Yes I will, so that I can see you better." There was silence. Then I heard Smith say, "What's all this?"

"Successful acting," said Holmes, "for three days I didn't taste anything – neither food nor drink."

g. Why did Holmes plead with Smith?

h. Who was responsible for Victor Savage's death? What was the evidence for it?

There were footsteps outside. The door opened and I heard Inspector Morton's voice. "I arrest you on charge of murder," he said.

Do You Know?

Joseph Bell (1837-1911) was born in Edinburgh. He was a lecturer in medicine whose detective approach to diagnosis inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes. The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline.

"If so, let me bring Sir Jaspet Meek or Penrose fisher, or Holmes".

There was a sudden rush and scuffle, followed by the clash of iron and sudden cry of pain. There was a click of handcuffs.

Holmes asked me to come in.

"Sorry, Watson, I was rude to you. I undermined your capability as a doctor. It was just to get Smith here. And I didn't want you to know that I was not ill."

"But your appearance--?" I said.

"Three days, fasting and the make-up did the trick."

"The coins?"

"Oh! That was only to prove that I was delirious," he laughed. "I need to eat now, Watson. Mr. Smith killed his nephew and he wanted to kill me the same way to avoid imprisonment. I need to eat now, Watson. I think that something nutritious at Simpsons' would not be out of place. And thank you, Watson," he said.

i. What explanation did Holmes give for speaking rudely to Watson?

j. How was Holmes able to look sick?

About the Author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the character of Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction. Doyle wrote short stories featuring the famous detective. The story is narrated by the character, Dr.Watson, originally a physician. In 1887, he published A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels about Holmes and Dr. Watson. His notable works include Stories of Sherlock Holmes and The Lost World.

Vocabulary

• gaunt (adj.) - lean, especially because of suffering, hunger or age.
• twitched (v) - gave short, sudden jerking movements.
• contagious (adj.) - spreading of a disease from one person to another by direct contact
• groan (v) - a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain or despair.
• plague (n) - a contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever.
• bolted (v) - closed the door with a bar that slides into a socket.
• mantle piece (n) - a structure of wood or marble above or around the fireplace.
• half-crown (n) - a former British coin equal to two shillings and sixpence (12 1/2p).
• tongs (n) - a device used for picking up objects consisting of two long pieces free at one end and pressed together at the other end.
• delirious (adj.) - disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness.
• frail (adj.) - weak and delicate.
• startled (v) - felt sudden shock or alarm.
• scuffle (n) - a sudden short fight

A. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

1. Who was Mrs. Hudson? Why was she worried?
2. Why didn't Holmes let Watson examine him?
3. Why did Holmes warn Watson against touching his things? What was Watson's reaction?
4. What did Watson find on the table near the mantlepiece?
5. Who is Mr. Culverton Smith?
6. What did Holmes ask Watson to do before leaving his room?
7. What instructions did Holmes give Watson to get Mr. Smith?
8. Why did Holmes want Smith to treat him?
9. How did Holmes get the disease, according to Smith?
10. Who arrested Smith? What were the charges against him?

B. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100-150 words.

1. How did Holmes trap Mr. Culverton Smith to confess the murder?
2. How did Watson help his friend to arrest the criminal?

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meaning and spellings. The text has many homophones such as : see-sea, hear-here, knew-new.

C. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct options given.

1. Niteesh bought a ________ (knew/ new) cricket bat.
2. The shepherd ________ (herd/heard) the cry of his sheep.
3. Lakshmi completed her baking ________ (course/coarse) successfully.
4. Priya has broken her ________ (four/ fore) limbs.
5. Leaders of the world must work towards the ________ (peace/piece) of human race.

Commonly confused words

English has a lot of commonly confused words. They either look alike or look and sound alike, but have completely different meanings and usage. Here are some examples from the text.

brought (v) - past participle of bring. E.g. Anitha had brought a book from the library.

bought (v) - past participle of buy. E.g. Lalitha had bought a new dress last week.

affect (v) - to have an effect on. E.g. The pet's death affected his master.

effect (n) - anything brought about by a cause or agent; result. E.g. Both El Nino and La Nina are opposite effects of the same phenomenon.

D. Complete the tabular column by finding the meaning of both the words given in the boxes. Use them in sentences of your own.

pocket(n) - a small bag sewn into or on clothing to keep carry small things
Santa filled his pocket with candies.

packet (n) - a paper or cardboard container, typically one in which goods are sold
Maheswari carried a packet of ribbons.

fond(adj.) - having an affection or liking for
Puppies are fond of soft balls.

found(v) - having been discovered by chance or unexpectedly
Rosalin found a 100 rupee note on her way back home.

• lost (v)
• last (adj.)
• paused (v)
• passed (v)
• pitcher (n)
• picture (n)

E. * Listen to the story and answer the questions given below

1. Where does this story take place?
   • a. in a bakery
   • b. at the police station
   • c. in Ms. Gervis' house
   • d. in Ms. Gervis' apartment
2. "Ms. Gervis' eyes are full of tears. Her hands are shaking." How does Ms. Gervis probably feel?
   • a. She is upset. b. She is tired.
   • c. She is hungry. d. She is confused.
3. What makes the detective sure that the robber did not come through the windows?
   • a. The windows are locked.
   • b. The windows face the police station.
   • c. The windows have not been used in months.
   • d. The windows are too small for a person to fit through.
4. What else was stolen from the apartment?
   • a. crystal b. jewellery
   • c. money d. nothing
5. "And the robber definitely did not use the front door." Which is the best way to rewrite this sentence?
   • a. "And the robber may not have used the front door."
   • b. "And the robber probably did not use the front door."
   • c. "And the robber was not able to use the front door."
   • d. "And the robber certainly did not use the front door."
6. What does Ms. Gervis do with her cakes?
   • a. She eats them.
   • b. She sells them.
   • c. She hides them.
   • d. She gives them away.
7. What does the detective seem to think will happen if he solves the mystery?
   • a. Ms. Gervis will start baking cakes again
   • b. Ms. Gervis will bake him extra cakes
   • c. Ms. Gervis will give him her secret recipe
   • d. Ms. Gervis will give him money and jewels
8. Do you like mysteries? What is your favourite kind of story? Explain.

*Listening text is on page-217

REVIEW

A review is a critical assessment of a book, play, film, an event, etc. published in a newspaper or magazine.

Review process: (present it in info graphics)

• First, choose the piece/work (a book, movie, an article or event).
• Read the selected piece (a book/an article) or watch it (a movie/an event) cautiously until you understand it thoroughly.
• Focus on the main idea of the piece and its purpose.
• Critically evaluate the work.
• Make a note of all that is worthy of analysis.
• Summarise it in a brief way.
• Present it orally or in written form.

Read the story carefully and answer the questions asked below

A Mystery Case

For a man of ease, John Mathew kept an arduous schedule. On Wednesdays, for example, he was awakened at 9.00 and served breakfast in bed by Emanuel, his chef. Next came a quick fitness session with Basky, his personal trainer. Then, at 10.30, John Mathew answered his mail, returned phone calls and rearranged his social calendar helped by Louise, his secretary. At noon, John Mathew drove his Jaguar to the station and took a commuter train into Guindy for his weekly lunch with Lalli and Lolly, his two oldest and dearest friends. Then, on to a little shopping. The 4:05 nonstop would bring him back to Tambaram. As John Mathew drove up to the house at 5:00, Basky would have already set up the massage table and warmed the scented oils for a soothing herbal wrap. It was a gruelling life but John seemed to thrive on it. On this Wednesday, however, there was an unexpected change of plans. Today John's shopping errand involved taking his diamond bracelet into the jeweller's for cleaning. He threw the expensive jewel into his purse and proceeded on to lunch.

As John waved his friends good-bye and exited the restaurant, he sensed he was being followed. The feeling continued until he reached Tenth Avenue. Then, as he joined the throng of shoppers, John felt a hug. Within a split-second, a man riding pillion on a bike rode past him, grabbing his purse. He couldn't guess who the culprit was.

F. Exercise

1. Present the review of a movie that you have watched recently.
2. Give the review of a book that has interested you a lot.
3. Review an event which your school has hosted recently.

G. Match the following.

1. A man of ease – Emanuel
2. John's trainer – Lalli and Lolly
3. Mathew's secretary – John Mathew
4. John's chef – Louise
5. Mathew's friends – Basky

H. State whether the given statements are true or false. If false, correct the statements.

1. Mathew is a very busy man.
2. He woke up very late in the morning.
3. He always had lunch with his family.
4. He exercised with Louise every day.
5. He preferred handling mail by himself.

Pamphlet

• A Pamphlet is a small booklet or leaflet containing information or arguments about a single subject.
• They are helpful in presenting information in a more attractive way and also easily accessible and economical to distribute.
• They are generally used for describing the product or instructions, commercial information, promotion of events or promoting tourism.

HOW TO CREATE A PAMPHLET

Step 1: Finalise your text.

Step 2: Choose a layout.

Step 3: Add appropriate images.

Step 4: Ensure your pamphlet is cohesive and appealing.

I. Create a pamphlet for the following:

1. Make a pamphlet on 'Dengue Awareness' (Focus on its causes, preventions, symptoms and precautions).
2. Make an attractive pamphlet for your school Fair organised for raising funds for (any) relief (Specify the date, time, types of stalls and the reasons for the fair).
3. Make a pamphlet on the latest gadgets (Mention the variety of models, uses, need and availability).

Letter of Enquiry

A letter of enquiry is a formal letter, written to get more details / information about something. In this letter the word limit should not exceed 200 words. It is used to enquire and get details to purchase an item, to know about a course for study, a place for a trip, etc It must include sender's details.

Model of Enquiry Letter

Vimala had purchased a laptop last year. She writes the following letter to the shop enquiring about the warranty coverage for the damage caused.

Mrs. Vimala
342, Annai Theresa street
Chennai-16.
vimala1958@gmail.com

4th August 2019

The Manager
Digital Electronics
Chennai-4

Subject: Enquiry about damage replacement–regarding.

Madam / Sir,

Last year, I purchased a new Lenovo laptop in your shop during the New year offer. Now, the laptop's display is damaged. So I need to know whether there is any free replacement coverage or warranty period that covers the cost of repair. Please, let me know the best way to address this issue.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,
Vimala.M

J. Write a letter of enquiry for the following

1. You are a librarian in a newly established school. Write a letter to the book dealer inquiring about the list of newly arrived English children's story books and various subject books relevant to 10-14 age groups.
2. Venkat hails from a remote village of Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu who aspires to become an IAS officer. Currently, he is in class X. He notices an advertisement on free classes for the IAS aspirants by a trust in a newspaper. He writes a letter to the coordinator of the trust inquiring for further details.
3. Write a letter to the head of the BSNL office enquiry about the internet broadband scheme launched recently.

SIMPLE, COMPLEX AND COMPOUND

Let us recall some important points that we learnt in the previous unit.

• Gerunds, Infinitives and Participles are Non Finite Verbs.
• Phrase is a group of words which does not contain a Finite Verb.
• Clause is a group of words which has a Finite Verb.
• Finite Verbs indicate the tense and time of actions.
• Non Finite Verbs do not indicate tense and time of actions.

Now, let us study about the three different kinds of sentences.

1. Simple 2. Complex 3. Compound

• A Simple sentence consists of only one Finite Verb.
• A Complex sentence has one Main Clause and one or more Subordinate Clauses.
• A Compound sentence has two Main Clauses combined by a Coordinating Conjunction.

SIMPLE SENTENCE

Examples

1. Ramu is too poor to buy a bicycle.
2. Despite his old age, Raghav walked fast.
3. In the event of not consulting a doctor, you cannot recover.
4. On seeing the teacher, the children stood up.
5. Due to a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.

COMPLEX SENTENCE

Examples

1. Ramu is so poor that he cannot buy a bicycle.
2. Though Raghav was old, he walked fast
3. Unless you consult a doctor, you cannot recover.
4. As soon as the children saw the teacher, they stood up
5. As there was a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.

COMPOUND SENTENCE

Examples

1. Ramu is very poor and he cannot buy a bicycle.
2. Raghav was old yet he walked fast.
3. You consult a doctor otherwise you cannot recover.
4. The children saw the teacher and they stood up.
5. There was a heavy downpour and the match was cancelled.

(In the above sentences, the words highlighted are conjunctions)

A. Transform the following sentences as instructed.

1. On seeing the teacher, the children stood up. (Change to Complex)
   Answer: As soon as the children saw the teacher, they stood up.
2. Though he was tired, he continued to work. (Change to Simple)
   Answer: Despite being tired, he continued to work.
3. Ramu is very poor and he cannot buy a bicycle. (Change to Simple)
   Answer: Ramu is too poor to buy a bicycle.
4. As there was a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled. (Change to Compound)
   Answer: There was a heavy downpour and the match was cancelled.
5. Unless you consult a doctor, you cannot recover. (Change to Simple)
   Answer: In the event of not consulting a doctor, you cannot recover.

B. Identify whether the following sentences are Simple, Complex or Compound.

No.	Sentence	Type
1	She sang a song and everybody clapped.	Compound
2	He ran fast to catch the bus.	Simple
3	Although it was raining, they went out.	Complex
4	Sita and Gita are good friends.	Simple
5	He was honest but he was punished.	Compound
6	Since she was late, she missed the train.	Complex
7	The dog barked and the thief ran away.	Compound
8	He works hard to earn money.	Simple
9	If you study well, you will pass.	Complex
10	The sun rose and the birds began to sing.	Compound

C. Combine the following pairs of sentences into a Single Compound or Complex sentence.

No.	Sentences	Combined Sentence
1	He was ill. He went to school.	Though he was ill, he went to school. (Complex)
2	She worked hard. She passed the exam.	She worked hard and she passed the exam. (Compound)
3	It was cold. We lit a fire.	As it was cold, we lit a fire. (Complex)
4	He heard the news. He became happy.	When he heard the news, he became happy. (Complex)
5	The rain stopped. The children went out to play.	The rain stopped and the children went out to play. (Compound)

Practice Practice Exercises

a. How did Watson feel when he heard of Holmes illness?

b. Why didn't the landlady call the doctor?

1. A man of ease - Emanuel

2. John's trainer - Lalli and Lolly

3. Mathew's secretary - John Mathew

4. John's chef - Louise

5. Mathew's friends - Basky

1. Mathew is a very busy man.

2. He woke up very late in the morning.

3. He always had lunch with his family.

4. He exercised with Louise every day.

5. He preferred handling mail by himself.

1. Make a pamphlet on 'Dengue Awareness' (Focus on its causes, preventions, symptoms and precautions).

2. Make an attractive pamphlet for your school's Fair organised for raising funds for (any) relief (Specify the date, time, types of stalls and the reasons for the fair).

3. Make a pamphlet on the latest gadgets (Mention the variety of models, uses, need and availability).

1. Your a librarian in a newly established school. Write a letter to the book dealer inquiring about the list of newly arrived English children's story books and various subject books relevant to 10-14 age groups.

2. Venkat hails from a remote village of Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu who aspires to become an IAS officer. Currently, he is in class X. He notices an advertisement on free classes for the IAS aspirants by a trust in a news paper. He writes a letter to the coordinator of the trust inquiring for further details.

3. Write a letter to the head of the BSNL office enquiring regarding the internet broadband scheme launched recently.

1. On seeing the teacher, the children stood up. (into Complex)

2. At the age of six, Varsha started learning music. (into Complex)

3. As Varun is a voracious reader, he buys a lot of books. (into Simple)

4. Walk carefully lest you will fall down. (into Complex)

5. Besides being a dancer, she is a singer. (into Compound)

6. He is sick but he attends the rehearsal. (into Simple)

7. If Meena reads more, she will become proficient in the language. (into Compound)

8. He confessed that he was guilty. (into Simple)

9. The boy could not attend the special classes due to his mother's illness. (into Compound)

10. He followed my suggestion. (into Complex)

1. Radha was ill. She was not hospitalised

2. The students were intelligent. They could answer the questions correctly

3. I must get a visa. I can travel abroad

4. I saw a tiger it was wounded

5. There was a bandh. The shops remained closed

c. What was the condition of Holmes when Watson saw him?

d. According to Holmes what was the disease he was suffering from?

e. Who did Watson see when he entered the room?

f. What were the instructions given by Holmes to Watson?

g. Why did Holmes plead with Smith?

h. Who was responsible for Victor Savage's death? What was the evidence for it?

i. What explanation did Holmes give for speaking rudely to Watson?

j. How was Holmes able to look sick?

1. Who was Mrs. Hudson? Why was she worried?

2. Why didn't Holmes let Watson examine him?

3. Why did Holmes warn Watson against touching his things? What was Watson's reaction?

4. What did Watson find on the table near the mantlepiece?

5. Who is Mr. Culverton Smith?

6. What did Holmes ask Watson to do before leaving his room?

7. What instructions did Holmes give Watson to get Mr. Smith?

8. Why did Holmes want Smith to treat him?

9. According to Smith how did Holmes get the disease?

10. Who arrested Smith? What were the charges against him?

1. How did Holmes trap Mr. Culverton Smith to confess the murder?

2. How did Watson help his friend to arrest the criminal?

1. Niteesh bought a (knew/ new) cricket bat.

2. The shepherd (herd/heard) the cry of his sheep.

3. Lakshmi completed her baking (course/coarse) successfully.

4. Priya has broken her (four/fore) limbs.

5. Leaders of the world must work towards the (peace/piece) of human race.

1. Where does this story take place?

a. in a bakery

b. at the police station

c. in Ms. Gervis' house

d. in Ms. Gervis' apartment

2. Near the beginning of the story, “Ms. Gervis' eyes are full of tears. Her hands are shaking.” How does Ms. Gervis probably feel?

a. She is upset.

b. She is tired.

c. She is hungry.

d. She is confused.

3. What makes the detective sure that the robber did not come through the windows?

a. The windows are locked.

b. The windows face the police station.

c. The windows have not been used in months.

d. The windows are too small for a person to fit through.

4. What else was stolen from the apartment?

a. crystal

b. jewelery

c. money

d. nothing

5. “And the robber definitely did not use the front door.” Which is the best way to rewrite this sentence?

a. “And the robber may not have used the front door.”

b. “And the robber probably did not use the front door.”

c. “And the robber was not able to use the front door.”

d. “And the robber certainly did not use the front door.”

6. What does Ms. Gervis do with her cakes?

a. She eats them.

b. She sells them.

c. She hides them.

d. She gives them away.

7. What does the detective seem to think will happen if he solves the mystery?

a. Ms. Gervis will start baking cakes again

b. Ms. Gervis will bake him extra cakes

c. Ms. Gervis will give him her secret recipe

d. Ms. Gervis will give him money and jewels