“The Adventure of the Speckled Band”

By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author NotesBorn in ScotlandEnjoyed writing mystery stories in

his early twentiesStudied medicine, and it was

observed that he was more often accurate in guessing the occupations of his patients than in diagnosing their illnesses

More Author Notes

Based the character of Sherlock Holmes on a surgeon in Scotland whose hobby was deducing people’s characters from minor details of their appearance

Who is Sherlock Holmes?

He is the famous detective who is known for deductive reasoning.

He analyzes the evidence and draws specific conclusions.

Author notes continued

Doyle wrote 56 stories and four novels about Sherlock Holmes

He felt his other writings were overlooked because of the popularity of Holmes, so he wrote a story in which the famous detective died.

The public outrage was so overwhelming that Doyle gave in and wrote “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, resurrecting the character of the famous detective.

Mystery Story

A mystery story is a fictional tale that tells how a puzzling mystery is solved.

The leading character is often a detective who matches wits with someone who has committed a crime.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Vocabulary Words – “logy” means “the study of”1. ecology – the study of humans and their

environment

2. biology – the study of life and living organisms

3. psychology – the study of mental processes and behavior

4. theology – the study of religion

5. anthropology – the study of the origin of humans

6. pathology – the study of diseases

7. geology – the study of the earth

Vocabulary Words – from your story…1. defray – to pay or furnish the money for2. manifold – many and varied3. morose – gloomy, ill-tempered4. convulsed – taken over by violent,

involuntary spasms5. imperturbably – unexcitedly, impassively6. reverie – daydream7. tangible – able to be touched or felt

Grammar for the Week: Predicate Nouns A predicate noun is a noun that comes after

a linking verb. It also explains or identifies the subject in a

sentence: Watson was a medical doctor. “Doctor” is the predicate noun.

Find the predicate nouns:

The two men were both bachelors. Watson became a married man. Before last summer, Watson was the

teacher. Edward was the head waiter at Donald’s

new restaurant.