Sherlock Holmes: Getting Young Again · Easy Reading B1 · Episode VI of VII
The professor crawls in the dark
Before you read · Key vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Ukrainian |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Exercise 1 · Match the word to its meaning
Write the correct letter (A–D) in the box next to each word.
| 1. agile | A.done on purpose, not by accident | |
| 2. deliberately | B.extremely angry | |
| 3. provoked | C.able to move quickly and easily | |
| 4. furious | D.made someone or something angry on purpose |
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
That night, Holmes, Watson, and Mr Bennett to follow the professor to observe his strange behaviour. They him standing in the doorway in his dressing gown. He 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 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, free from its chain and the professor.
The attack was terrifying. The dog straight for the professor’s throat and him deeply. Holmes, Watson, and Mr Bennett to separate them. It was difficult and dangerous, but with Bennett’s help, they 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 Watson treat the professor’s injuries. After some treatment, the professor into a deep sleep.
Holmes believed the professor needed proper medical attention, especially from a surgeon, to fully assess his injuries.
After you read · Comprehension questions
Answer in full sentences.
1. How did the professor move? Describe it in your own words.
2. Did the dog attack the professor by accident or on purpose? Explain what happened.
3. What happened after the attack?
Grammar Practice · Past Simple
Exercise 2 · Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.
Holmes, Watson, and Bennett (decide) to follow the professor. They (see) him in the doorway. Then he suddenly crouched down and (go) to the stables.
Exercise 3 · 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.
Exercise 4 · Put the events in the correct order
Write 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the box.
Speaking Practice · Tell the story
Answer aloud or write short notes.
1. How did the professor move that night? Describe it in your own words.
2. Did the dog attack the professor by accident, or did the professor provoke it?
3. What happened after the attack? Who helped the professor?
4. Why do you think the professor deliberately made the dog angry?
5. Imagine you are Mr Bennett. How would you feel watching the professor act like this?
6. After this night, do you think the family will finally understand what is happening to him?
Talk to Watson · Personal questions (Past Simple)
“Holmes, Bennett and I rushed to help when the dog attacked. Did you rush to help someone last week? What happened?”
“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?”
“After everything, the professor fell into a deep sleep. Did you sleep well last night? How did you feel when you woke up?”
Answer Key · Episode VI: A Man or a Monkey?
Exercise 1 · Matching
1–C 2–A 3–D 4–B
Exercise 2
decided · saw · went
Exercise 3
provoked · broke · bit · rushed · managed
Exercise 4 · Order
1 crouched+climbed · 2 went to stables+provoked · 3 dog broke free+attacked · 4 Holmes+Watson rushed
Listening gaps (in order)
decided · saw · looked · went · broke · attacked · went · bit · rushed · managed · helped · fell
Comprehension
1. He crouched down and moved on his hands and feet like an animal. He was agile and climbed up the wall.
2. The professor provoked the dog on purpose, using a stick. It was not an accident.
3. Holmes, Watson, and Bennett rushed in to separate the dog. Watson treated the professor’s injuries and he fell into a deep sleep.