Reading Comprehension: Sherlock Holmes in the Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes?

In ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’, Holmes’ great detective skills and Watson’s faithful support of his friend are at their most admirable. The disappearance of the famous blue jewel is easily explained . . . or is it? Set at Christmastime in old London, Holmes solves this case with his usual flair - and also, perhaps, saves a man from a life of crime. For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this is an excellent tale to start with!

Contents:
• The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’, divided into ten short sections

Following each section:
o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook
o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read
o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as hats of the time period, how people lit their homes, the difference between supper and dinner, what betting is, keeping warm in old London, etc. (with pictures)

Directions:
• Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery!

Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!