The Dying Detective class 10th supplementary book

The Dying Detective
Class X
Lesson – 5
English Literature Book (Supplementary Reader)
SHORT- ANSWER TYPE TEXTUAL QUESTIONS (25-30 WORDS)

Q.1. Who was Mrs. Hudson? Why did she go to Watson’s house?
Ans. Mrs. Hudson was a land lady. She went to Watson's house to tell him that his friend,  Sherlock Holmes, was critically ill. She wanted Watson to come and save his friend's life.

Q. 2. Where did Holmes get the illness from? When did he get it?
Ans. Holmes got the illness from some Chinese sailors. He got it when he was working on a case at a place near a river. But as we know , it was all a made up story.

Q. 3. What was Holmes’s condition when Watson saw him?

Ans. Holmes  eyes had the brightness of fever. There was red flush on his cheeks. His thin hands were twitching all the time.

Q. 4. Why did Holmes not let Watson examine him?

Ans. Holmes illness was a feigned one . Watson was a doctorby profession. He would have known the truth if he had examined Holmes. That was why , Holmes did not let Watson examine him.

Q. 5. Till when was Watson asked to stay in Homes’ house?

Ans. Watson was asked to stay till six o’clock.

Q. 6. Why did Holmes not let Watson touch his things? What did Watson think about Holmes then?

Ans. There was a poisonous spring in a box. Watson thought that Holmes was really very sick.

Q. 7. What did Holmes ask Watson to do before leaving his room?

Ans. He asked Watson to light the  gas lamp, but only half on. Then he asked him to put on the table some letters, paper and the ivory box and the tongs.

Q. 8. Who was Culverton Smith? Why did Holmes want him for the treatment of his disease?

Ans. Culverton Smith was resident of Sumatra  and a tea planter. Holmes wanted him for the treatment of his disease only to have him in his trap. 

Q. 9. What did Holmes ask Watson to say to Mr. Smith?

Ans. Holmes asked Watson to tell Mr. Smith how critically Holmes was  ill and was at the point of death . Holmes wanted Watsonto persuade Mr. Smith to come to Holmes house

.Q.10. Did Smith welcome Watson calling on him? How do you know?

Ans. He did not welcome Watson calling on him. His butler said that Smith was not at home.

Q. 11. Why did Watson not come back with Smith?

Ans. Watson did not come with Smith because Holmes had asked him to do so. Watson pretended that he had some other appointment. 

Q. 12. Why did Smith ask Watson when he finally met him?

Ans. Smith asked him about the health of Holmes.

Q. 13. Did Smith go near Holmes to examine him? How do you know?

Ans. He did not go near Holmes to examine him. He well knew what had happened and only wanted Holmes to die.

Q. 14. Who was Victor Smith? What had happened to him and how?

Ans. He was nephew of Culverton Smith. Culverton had murdered him with poisonous spring.

Q.15. "You did it. I will forget everything." Holmes said to Smith. What did Smith do and how? Did Holmes really mean what he said? Give examples in support of your answer. 

Ans. Smith had conspired to kill Holmesby sending him a poisoned spring box by post. Holmes did not really mean what he said . He was not I'll at all. He was only laying trap for Smith and trying to make him confess his crime.

Q. 16. Why did Smith send an infected sharp spring in an ivory box?

Ans. Holmes knew that Smith had killed Victor. So he wanted to kill him.

Q. 17. Why did Holmes ask Smith to turn up the gas?

Ans. It was a signal for Inspector Morton to come in and arrest Smith.

Q. 18. Who arrested Smith? What were the charges against him?

Ans. Inspector Morton arrested Smith. He had killed Victor Smith and the attempted murder of Sherlock Holmes.

Q. 19. Why did Holmes pretend to be ill? What did he do and say to appear ill?

Ans. He wanted to arrest Smith. He did not eat anything for three days and applied makeup to his face. He also talked deliriously.

Q. 20. Should Holmes have spoken so rudely to Watson? Why?

Ans. Holmes show of rudeness was a dramatic necessity. It was necessary to make Watson believe taht Holmeswas really critically ill and at the point of death .