Year 7 - English
Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'
Sherlock Holmes: short stories
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read and explore two famous Sherlock Holmes stories. They start by reading and analysing 'The Speckled Band' before using it as inspiration to write a newspaper article. They then read and analyse 'The Boscombe Valley Murder' before writing a comparison of the two stories.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to comprehend and summarise 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.
Key Notes
- Holmes and Watson have set out to solve the Boscombe Valley mystery.
- It is believed Charles McCarthy was murdered.
- McCarthy was seen arguing with his son prior to his death.
- McCarthy's son's gun was found near McCarthy's dead body.
- McCarthy's son is the main suspect in McCarthy's death.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Paradoxical: If something is paradoxical, it seems to contradict itself.
- Conjecture: A conjecture is a conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
- Singularity: If something has singularity, you could say it is one of a kind.
- Quarrel: A quarrel is a heated argument or disagreement.
- Circumstantial: Pointing indirectly towards someone's guilt but not proving it.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- McCarthy's son is definitely guilty.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Holmes and Watson have set out to solve the Boscombe Valley mystery. It is believed Charles McCarthy was murdered.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Paradoxical'
If something is paradoxical, it seems to contradict itself.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: McCarthy's son is definitely guilty. Correction: It is suspected that McCarthy's son is responsible for the murder of McCarthy, however Holmes still has a lot of investigating to do.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery': a written comparison Study Guide
- 'The Speckled Band' case: concluding newspaper articles Study Guide
- 'The Speckled Band' case: writing a newspaper article body Study Guide
- Analysing atmosphere and character in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing Dr. Roylott in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing Helen Stoner's presentation in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Analysing John Turner from 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Comparing 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Comparing the victims in 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings Study Guide
- Investigating Julia's death in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Making predictions about 'The Speckled Band' mystery Study Guide
- Making predictions about Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Planning a newspaper article about the solved case of 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Reading and summarising the conclusion of 'The Speckled Band' mystery Study Guide
- Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' Study Guide
- Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles Study Guide
- Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from 'The Speckled Band' Study Guide
- Writing the opening of an article on 'The Speckled Band' case Study Guide
- Writing your own newspaper article about Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
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