Available Answers

1. 1.

   Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

   Holmes: (Holmes walks to the front of the stage) Over here Watson! What do you make of this? (points to something on the floor)

   Watson: (excitedly) Why, it's a carpet Holmes!

   Holmes: No idiot! On the carpet.

   Watson: Goodness me! a footprint in the shape of a boot!

   Holmes: Yes! And a strange yellow footprint at that. Notice that it is quite small and more pointed at the front and, if I'm not mistaken, has been repaired at least 3 times in the last year. (leans down and sniffs the footprint) Hmmm.

   Watson: What is it Holmes, another clue?

   Holmes: Can you smell anything Watson? Apart from Lady Aquilla's boots that is?

   Watson: Why, yes! What on Earth is it?

   Holmes: Garlic Watson! The overpowering smell of fresh garlic! (turns to Lady Aquilla) I would like to speak to the maid if you please.

   1. Where does this scene take place? Who or what are they looking for?
   2. What clues did Holmes come upon? What is the significance of these observations?
   3. Who does Sherlock attribute these observations to? Why do you think he is suspicious?
   4. Why do you think Holmes tells Lady Aquilla to call the maid? Do you think he is feeling hungry?
   5. What are the things Holmes sees in the footprint on the carpet?
   6. Based on this extract, what can you say about the character of Watson?
2. 2.

   Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

   Holmes: Quite straight forward! You have a ridiculously expensive hairdo covered by an extremely sad hat, and your picture is in tonight's paper under the headline 'Famous Aquilla Diamond stolen from Lady Aquilld. It is this that has brought you in such a fervour and so quickly to 221b Baker St!

   1. When and to whom does Holmes speak these lines?
   2. What does Holmes feel is 'quite straightforward'? Explain.
   3. What else did Holmes know about Lady Aquilla?
   4. From the extract what character traits can you attribute to Holmes? What is his full name?
   5. What is the event that Lady Aquilla had left? Where had she come? What was her purpose in doing so?
3. 3.

   Explain the following phrases/words in your own words. You may refer to the play.

   1. smarty pants _______________________________________
   2. the game is afoot _______________________________________
   3. trusty sidekick _______________________________________
   4. I spy with my magnified eye _______________________________________
   5. polished off _______________________________________
   6. savaged by wild wombats _______________________________________
   7. perchance _______________________________________
   8. see through _______________________________________
   9. modus operandi _______________________________________
   10. paid the price _______________________________________

   Using the same words/phrases given in upper task, construct sentences of your own.

4. 4.

   Pick out the adverbial clauses in the following sentences and, state their function.

   1. I need to speak to you immediately because it is of the utmost importance.
   2. Let's go to wherever the scene of the crime is.
   3. I need to see the maid in order that I verify the clues I found.
   4. While they were still in the study, they heard a scream from the library.
   5. Watson stand by the door, if you please.
5. 5.

   Underline the adverbial clauses in the following sentences and identify whether it is an adverbial clause of concession/contrast, result/effect, comparison, manner/extent, or proportion.

   1. Holmes was so observant that nothing escaped his magnified eye.
   2. Gertie, the famous thief, behaved as if she were a bumbling cook.
   3. The more lies she told, the nearer she was to getting caught.
   4. Crumpton's crime was no less than Cookie's crime.
   5. Although Holmes knew who the murderer was, he had to prove her guilt.
6. 6.

   Given here are two riddles. Solve them. Hint: you might need to exercise your decoding

   1. Ganpat is found dead in his office, at his desk Sherlock Holmes was working on this case and had narrowed down the suspects to three people: his friend, Mr. Rakesh Gupta; Ganpat's wife, Bhawna; and his secretary, Jason Kumar. All three suspects visited Ganpat on the day of his murder for various reasons, as reported to Sherlock. Holmes found a note on the corner of a wall # '7B91011'. He wasted no time in announcing the killer. Who was the killer?
   2. Sherlock, the detective, was a mere few days from cracking an international smuggling ring when he suddenly went missing. While inspecting his last-known location, you find a note: '710 57735 34 5508 51 7718'. Currently, there are three suspects - Bill, John and Todd. Can you break the detective's code and find the criminal's name?