Sherlock Holmes: Getting Young Again · Easy Reading B1 · Episode V of VII
Holmes discovers a pattern
Before you read · Key vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Ukrainian |
|---|---|---|
| theory | an idea that tries to explain something | теорія |
| observe | to watch something carefully | спостерігати |
| cycle | a series of events that repeat in the same order | цикл |
| alert | ready and paying close attention | насторожі / уважний |
Exercise 1 · Match the word to its meaning
Write the correct letter (A–D) in the box next to each word.
| 1. theory | A.ready and paying close attention | |
| 2. observe | B.to watch something carefully | |
| 3. cycle | C.an idea that tries to explain something | |
| 4. alert | D.a series of events that repeat in the same order |
Reading & Listening · Fill in the gaps
Listen to the audio and write the missing words. All words are in the word bank below.
scan for audio
Word bank
Holmes and Watson in Cambridge to observe the professor’s strange behaviour. Mr Bennett, his assistant, that things normal for a while. However, Holmes a theory that every nine days, the professor a drug. It him act violently, and it was connected to a mysterious contact in Prague.
Holmes they stay alert, as they believed that the next day, the professor’s behaviour would become strange again. They to follow him quietly if he left his room at night. Holmes also to investigate a small box the professor kept, believing it might hold key information.
The next day, Holmes and Watson outside the professor’s house. Holmes sure that the professor’s strange behaviour, the box, and his visit to Prague were all connected.
That night, just after midnight, the house went completely silent. Then, slowly, a door opened in the dark.
After you read · Comprehension questions
Answer in full sentences.
1. What is Holmes’s theory about the professor?
2. What do Holmes and Watson plan to do that night?
3. What three things does Holmes believe are connected?
Grammar Practice · Past Simple
Exercise 2 · Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.
Holmes and Watson (stay) in Cambridge. Holmes (have) a theory: every nine days, the professor (take) a dangerous drug. It (make) him act violently.
Exercise 3 · Put the events in the correct order
Write 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the box.
Exercise 4 · Answer the questions
Write a short answer, then check with the answer key.
1. What was Holmes’s theory about the professor?
2. What three things did Holmes believe were connected?
Speaking Practice · Tell the story
Answer aloud or write short notes.
1. Why did Holmes and Watson stay in Cambridge?
2. What happened to the professor after he took the drug?
3. What did Holmes plan to do if the professor left his room at night?
4. What did Holmes believe would happen the next day?
5. Where did Holmes and Watson wait the next day?
Talk to Holmes · Personal questions (Past Simple)
“Watson and I waited outside the professor’s house that night. Did you wait for something important this week: a message, an answer, a result?”
“I had a theory and planned our next step carefully. Did you make a plan this week: for work, for home, or for the future?”
“Bennett reported that things seemed normal at first, and then changed. Did something appear to be fine this week, but then turned out differently?”
Answer Key · Episode V: Day Nine
Exercise 1 · Matching
1–C 2–B 3–D 4–A
Exercise 2
stayed · had · took · made
Exercise 3 · Order
1 Holmes suggested stay alert · 2 waited outside · 3 silence at midnight · 4 door opened
Listening gaps (in order)
stayed · reported · seemed · had · took · made · suggested · planned · wanted · waited · was
Comprehension
1. Holmes thinks the professor takes some kind of drug every nine days. It makes him act violently.
2. They plan to wait and watch. If the professor leaves his room, they will follow him quietly.
3. The professor’s strange behaviour every nine days, the small wooden box, and his secret trip to Prague.
Exercise 4
1. He took a dangerous drug every nine days, connected to his trip to Prague. The drug made him behave strangely.
2. The strange behaviour, the wooden box, and the trip to Prague.