Before you read: Key words
- tablecloth a cloth that covers a table, usually for meals скатертина
- cutlery knives, forks, and spoons used for eating столові прилади
- napkin a small cloth or piece of paper used to wipe your mouth at meals серветка
- linen a type of smooth, high-quality cloth made from flax льняна тканина
Match the word to its meaning
Mrs Hudson walked into the room with a smile. She spread a white tablecloth over the table.
On the table: shiny silver cutlery — knives, forks, and spoons, all in a straight line. The glasses were clear and elegant, ready to be filled. Soft linen napkins were folded beside each plate.
Mrs Hudson carefully placed the food: Holmes’s Full English Breakfast, with bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, and toast; Victor’s pancakes, topped with syrup and berries; and my vegetarian omelette with fresh vegetables and cheese. She also set a pot of tea on the table, filling the air with a warm scent.
The meal was delicious. Holmes, as always, seemed calm, but his eyes watched Victor closely. Victor, for his part, seemed nervous and distracted.
The mystery of the morning — the unspoken story that Victor was about to tell — hung between us. The calm before the storm, if you will.
Once we finished, Holmes leaned back and turned to Victor. “It looks like you’ve had quite an adventure, Mr Hatherley,” he said. “Please, relax and tell us everything when you’re ready.”
“Thank you. I already feel better. I won’t waste your time — I’ll start right away.”
Holmes and I listened closely as our visitor began his unusual story.
After you read
1. What did Mrs Hudson put on the table before the food?
She spread a white tablecloth and placed silver cutlery, glasses, and linen napkins on the table.
2. How did Holmes behave during breakfast?
Holmes seemed calm, but his eyes watched Victor closely. He said nothing but was already thinking.
3. What does “the calm before the storm” mean in this chapter?
It means that the peaceful breakfast was just a quiet moment before Victor’s shocking story. Something difficult was coming.
Past Simple Practice
Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.
Example: Mrs Hudson walked (walk) into the room with a smile.
Mrs Hudson (spread) a white tablecloth. She (place) the food on the table. Napkins (fold) — wait, who folded them? She (fold) the napkins beside each plate.
Fill in the gaps
Write the Past Simple form of the verb in brackets.
Holmes (watch) Victor closely. Holmes (lean) back and (turn) to Victor. Victor (begin) his unusual story.
Sentence order
Put the sentences in the correct order.
Talk to Holmes
Sherlock Holmes has a few questions for you. Answer using Past Simple.
Holmes:
“We sat in silence and ate before Victor began his story. Did you ever sit at a table with someone and feel that something important was about to be said? What happened?”
Holmes:
“Victor said ‘I won’t waste your time.’ Do you think that’s important to say? Did someone waste your time recently — or did you make good use of your time?”
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. No pressure, no grades. Just you and your English.
- How did Mrs Hudson prepare the table for breakfast?
- How did Holmes behave during the meal?
- What does the phrase “the calm before the storm” mean? Use it in a sentence about your own life.
- What do you think Victor is about to tell Holmes and Watson?
- Do you think Holmes already had some ideas about Victor’s story? Why?