INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1 Students own answer. Sample answer: Is the man with the gun Sherlock Holmes? Why is he pointing the gun at the man on the other boat? Who are the men on the other boat? What have they done? Which river are they on? What happens next? 2 (a) Students own answer. (b) Sample answer: Why is he famous? What is his job? Is he a real person or a fictional character? 3 Students own answer. Things to consider: Someone is going to meet Miss Morstan, Holmes and Watson. This person could be a criminal because they do not want the police to come. This person will give some information for Miss Morstan and claims to be a friend. Perhaps the person is connected to the pearls. Perhaps the person is connected to her father. Perhaps it is her father. 4 Students own answer. Details needed: Sherlock Holmes Notes: Bartholemew Sholto murdered poisoned thorn in skin near ear/in locked room/2 men involved in murder: footprint and round mark found on window-sill and floor a man with a wooden-leg/footprints of very small, bare feet in room above BSs room pygmy who got in through door from roof/killed BS with poisoned thorn/threw down rope for wooden-legged man to climb up/stole treasure together. Inspector Jones Notes: Thaddeus Sholto murdered his brother, Bartholemew/was with his brother last night/ discovered treasure together/TS last person to see brother alive/killed his brother/ran off with jewels/ went up some steps and out of door which leads onto roof and escaped. (Thorn belongs to TS/paper not important perhaps a trick.) 5 Students own answer. 6 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) Jonathan Small Inspector Jones The Indian Servant Tonga Mr Sherman Miss Morstan Thaddeus Sholto Toby

Worksheet
ANSWER KEY s

7 Students own answer. 8 Students own answer: List of characters: Sherlock Holmes, Holmes housekeeper, Dr Watson, Miss Morstan, a small dark man (T. Sholtos servant), the Indian Servant, Thaddeus Sholto, Bartholemew Sholto (dead), his housekeeper, Inspector Jones, Mr Sherman, Toby (dog), Mrs Smith, Mordecai Smith, Jonathan Small, Tonga, 12 children. Actors Names: Characters could be important actors and could be people at school/college/in the class. Reasons for Choosing Each Actor: Appearance, age, usual type of part played, can be given as reasons for choices.

Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd 1996 Published by Heinemann English Language Teaching

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