4.14.W - Lesson: "How to Write a Detective Story," G. K. Chesterton

Question 1

Who is the narrator of “The Red-Headed League?”
Mr. Holmes
Mr. Wilson
None of these choices is correct.
Dr. Watson

Answer 1

Dr. Watson

Question 2

How does Mr. Holmes know that Mr. Wilson has done manual labor?
His right hand is larger than his left hand.
He has large biceps.
He looks sweaty and exhausted.
He has his tools with him.

Answer 2

His right hand is larger than his left hand.

Question 3

By observing a tattoo and a coin, Mr. Holmes knows that Mr. Wilson has visited which country?
Japan
China
Spain
France

Answer 3

China

Question 4

Who tells Mr. Wilson about the ad concerning a vacancy in the Red-Headed League?
his housekeeper
Vincent Spaulding
his wife
the bank director

Answer 4

Vincent Spaulding

Question 5

Which choice is Mr. Wilson’s duty for the Red-Headed League?
to sit at the desk and greet visitors
to compile a list of all red-headed men in London
to stay in the office and copy out the Encyclopaedia Britannica
to write articles about the benefits of having red hair

Answer 5

to stay in the office and copy out the Encyclopaedia Britannica

Question 6

Why does Holmes enjoy taking on Wilson’s case?
It involves red-haired people.
He will make a lot of money if he solves the case.
It’s unusual.
None of these choices is correct.

Answer 6

It’s unusual.

Question 7

Why did Wilson hire Vincent Spaulding in particular as an assistant?
He was the most qualified for the job.
He really needed a job.
He was a family friend.
He would work for half wages.

Answer 7

He would work for half wages.

Question 8

Why does Holmes want to see Vincent Spaulding?
to see if Spaulding has a scar on his face
to see the knees of Spaulding’s trousers
to introduce himself to Spaulding
to see if Spaulding has red hair

Answer 8

to see the knees of Spaulding’s trousers

Question 9

Who is Merryweather?
the police chief
a detective
the bank director
Watson’s cousin

Answer 9

the bank director

Question 10

What does the bank have that makes it attractive to thieves?
safe deposit boxes
diamonds
French gold
rubies

Answer 10

French gold

Question 11

Which choice is the atmosphere surrounding Holmes and Watson as they wait for the robber to appear?
neutral
calm
dark and gloomy
bright and cheerful

Answer 11

dark and gloomy

Question 12

Which is the purpose of The Red-Headed League hiring Wilson?
none of the above
to create a full copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
to show off his blazing red hair
to get him out of the house so a tunnel could be dug

Answer 12

to get him out of the house so a tunnel could be dug

Question 13

“The Red-Headed League” is considered a __________ mystery.
foul-play
fair-play
runaway
golden-crime

Answer 13

fair-play

Question 14

Choose the correct pair of words that completes the following sentence. Be sure to pay attention to the order of the words (the first word corresponds to the first blank, etc.).

According to Chesterton, the aim of a mystery story is not ______________ but _____________.

light, darkness
motives, suspense
darkness, light
suspense, motives

Answer 14

darkness, light

Question 15

A diversion intended to distract attention from the real clues is called what?

Answer 15

red herring

Question 16

A ______________ is a recollection or retelling of events that happened before the main storyline.

Answer 16

flashback

Question 17

What does the conclusion of The Red-Headed League teach readers about truth and consequences? Please write one fully developed paragraph (at least 4-5 sentences). Be sure to give details from the story (without looking at the text or notes) to support your answer.

Answer 17

Your Answer:
At the end of the book, we see how Vincent Spaulding is a good example of truth and consequences. We see this because he shows the truth of human nature and how humans can be deceiving. At the beginning of the book, we see Spaulding and how innocent and kind he seems. He works for half wages, finds the advertisement for The Red-Headed League, and offers to take care of Mr. Wilson’s business while he works for The Red-Headed League. However, when Mr. Wilson leaves the house, Spaulding deceives him and digs a tunnel to the bank to steal the gold. In the end, though, we see the consequence of such behavior; since Spaulding tried to steal from the bank, he will be going to jail for a long time.