Before you read: Key words
- agile able to move quickly and easily спритний
- deliberately done on purpose, not by accident навмисно
- provoked made someone or something angry on purpose спровокований
- furious extremely angry скажений / дуже злий
Match the word to its meaning
That night, Holmes, Watson, and Mr Bennett decided to follow the professor to observe his strange behaviour. They saw him standing in the doorway in his dressing gown. He looked normal at first. But then, he suddenly crouched down, moving on his hands and feet like an animal. He was very agile, climbing up the wall of the house, acting almost as if he was enjoying it.
After climbing the wall, he went to the stables, where his wolfhound was tied up. The professor deliberately provoked the dog, using a stick to make it angrier. The dog, already furious, broke free from its chain and attacked the professor.
The attack was terrifying. The dog went straight for the professor’s throat and bit him deeply. Holmes, Watson, and Mr Bennett rushed to separate them. It was difficult and dangerous, but with Bennett’s help, they managed to get the dog under control.
The professor was badly hurt, with a deep wound near his throat, but they managed to carry him back to his room. Bennett helped Watson treat the professor’s injuries. It was a very serious situation, but after some treatment, the professor fell into a deep sleep.
Holmes, after observing the events, believed the professor needed proper medical attention, especially from a surgeon, to fully assess his injuries.
After you read
1. How did the professor move? Describe it in your own words.
He crouched down and moved on his hands and feet like an animal. He was very agile and climbed up the wall of the house as if it was easy and fun for him.
2. Did the dog attack the professor by accident or on purpose?
The professor provoked the dog on purpose, using a stick to make it angrier. It was not an accident — the professor seemed to want the dog to attack him.
3. What happened after the attack?
Holmes, Watson, and Bennett rushed in to separate the dog from the professor. The professor was badly hurt with a wound near his throat. They carried him to his room and Watson treated his injuries.
Past Simple Practice
Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets. Press Enter or click Check.
Holmes, Watson, and Bennett (decide) to follow the professor. They (see) him in the doorway. Then he suddenly (crouch) down and (go) to the stables.
Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.
The professor (provoke) the dog with a stick. The dog (break) free and (bite) the professor deeply. Holmes and Watson (rush) in and (manage) to separate them.
Sentence order
Put the events in the correct order. Click what happened first, then second, and so on.
Talk to Watson
Dr Watson wants to ask you a few questions. Answer using Past Simple, just like in the story.
Watson:
“Holmes, Bennett and I rushed to help when the dog attacked. Did you rush to help someone last week? What happened?”
Watson:
“That night we decided to follow the professor and watch him in the dark. Did you decide to do something difficult or unexpected last week? What did you decide?”
Watson:
“After everything, the professor fell into a deep sleep. Did you sleep well last night? How did you feel when you woke up?”
Listening Practice
Listen to the audio above. Then fill in the missing words in the text and check your answers.
Speaking Practice
Record your answers
Press record and answer the questions out loud, just like in a real conversation. Watch it back to hear your own progress. No pressure, no grades. Just you and your English.
- How did the professor move that night? Describe it in your own words.
- Did the dog attack the professor by accident, or did the professor provoke it? Explain what happened.
- What happened after the attack? Who helped the professor, and what did they do?
- Why do you think the professor deliberately made the dog angry? What was he trying to do?
- Imagine you are Mr Bennett. How would you feel watching the professor act like this? What would you do?
- After this night, do you think the professor’s family will finally understand what is happening to him?