Maharashtra Board Class 7 English Unit 4 Chapter 4.3 The Red Headed League Poem Solutions

Question 1. Find and write the descriptions of different people given in this story.
Answer:
Character Sketch:
a. Sherlock Holmes: A private detective and the story's protagonist. His keen observations and ability to reason allowing him to solve puzzles that astonish everyone. Sometimes quiet and contemplative, other times bursting with energy, he uses methods that can confuse and frustrate others. He is somewhat a mystery, rarely letting his thoughts known until he has already solved the crime.
b. Dr. John Watson: Sherlock Holmes' partner and the story's narrator. Good natured, brave and down-to-earth, Watson is Sherlock Holmes' sidekick, even though he rarely helps Holmes actually solve any mysteries and Watson often mirrors the reader's own confusion.
c. Jabez Wilson: A London pawn-broker, Jabez Wilson is an average man whose only remarkable feature is his lock of fiery red hair. His slow and trusting nature prevented him from seeing anything suspicious about either Vincent Spaulding or the preposterous Red-headed League.
d. John Clay / Vincent Spaulding: A notorious criminal working at Jabez Wilson's pawnshop under the name of Vincent Spaulding. He is evil and haughty. John Clay catches the attention of Sherlock Holmes in spite of his clever plot.
e. Duncan Ross: John Clay's partner-in-crime. Duncan's red hair prompts John Clay to devise the Red-headed League to lure Wilson out of his pawnshop for four hours everyday.
In simple words: This answer provides a character sketch for the main individuals in "The Red-Headed League," detailing their roles, key traits, and their significance in the story's plot, from the brilliant detective to the various criminals and their victim.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing characters, focus on their key traits, their role in the story, and any unique characteristics that make them memorable or central to the plot.

Question 2. Present Mr. Wilson's story as it would be shown in a comic strip.
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र एक कॉमिक स्ट्रिप के तीन फ्रेम दिखाता है जिसमें एक दुकान के मालिक, श्री विल्सन, और उनके सहायक, स्पाउल्डिंग, के बीच बातचीत चल रही है। पहले फ्रेम में, स्पाउल्डिंग श्री विल्सन को आधी मजदूरी पर सहायक के रूप में काम करने की पेशकश करते हैं। दूसरे फ्रेम में, स्पाउल्डिंग कहते हैं कि कोई काम नहीं है और वह तहखाने में तस्वीरें विकसित करने जा रहे हैं। तीसरे फ्रेम में, स्पाउल्डिंग श्री विल्सन को लाल सिर वाले लोगों के लिए एक विज्ञापन दिखाते हैं और उन्हें नौकरी के लिए आवेदन करने का सुझाव देते हैं।
Answer:
Frame 1.
Mr. Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson: Sir, why don't you try for this job?
Frame 2.
Mr. Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson : It is to help the red-heads.
Frame 3.
Mr. Wilson's shop
Spaulding to Wilson: They are paying handsomely. It will be an additional income for you.
Frame 4.
Mr. Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson: Sir, I will go along with you. Let's give it a try.
Frame 5.
At Fleet Street:
Wilson to Spaulding: Just see! It is crowded with red-headed people. I don't stand a chance.
Frame 6.
At Fleet Street:
Spaulding to Wilson: Sir, don't be disheartened.
Frame 7.
At Fleet Street:
Spaulding to Wilson: Sir, stay by my side. I'll push you into the office.
Frame 8.
At the office:
Wilson to Spaulding: At last, we are in the office, but there is no one except one man.
Frame 9.
At the office:
Spaulding to Wilson: Sir, you don't worry. Just answer his questions confidently.
Frame 10.
Mr. Duncan Ross to Wilson:
I'm pleased with your confidence. I'm glad to announce that you have got the job.
Frame 11.
At Fleet Street:
Wilson to Ross: Thank you so much, Sir. I'm highly obliged.
Frame 12.
At the office:
Wilson to Ross: Sir, what am I supposed to do? How much will I be paid?
Frame 13.
At Fleet Street:
Ross to Wilson: You will have to copy the encylopedia Britannica. You will be paid four pounds a week. And: your timings will be from 10 am to 2 pm.
Frame 14.
At the office:
Wilson to Ross: Wonderful Sir, when do I start?
Frame 15.
At the office:
Ross to Wilson: Mr. Wilson, you begin from tomorrow.
Frame 16.
At the office:
Wilson to Ross: Sir, I will put my heart and soul into my job.
Ross to Wilson: You will have to begin with one letter A and go alphabetically.
Wilson to Ross: Ok, Sir.
Frame 17.
At Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson: How is your job going?
Wilson to Spaulding: Well I am enjoying it. Mr. Ross is visiting the office every day. He is very much particular about my timings.
Frame 18.
At the office:
Ross to Wilson: How are you finding your work? This is your salary.
Wilson to Ross: Thank you, Sir.
Frame 19.
At Wilson's office:
Spaulding to Wilson: How are you Sir and how is your job going?
Wilson to Spaulding: It's been 8 weeks and 1 am really enjoying. Now Mr. Ross has stopped coming to the office.
Frame 20.
At Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson: Good morning. What happened today? You did not go out?
Wilson to Spaulding: The office of the League is shut and locked. There is a note nailed on the door saying the League is dissolved.
Frame 21.
At Wilson's shop:
Wilson to Spaulding: Do you know anything about the League?
Frame 22.
At Wilson's shop:
Spaulding to Wilson: 1 am unaware about what happened.
Frame 23.
Wilson to himself:
I should find out more about the League. This is a mystery and I want to know why they played this prank upon me.
Frame 24.
Wilson to himself:
Sherlock Holmes will be the best person to solve this mystery. I will go to him.
In simple words: This answer reconstructs Mr. Wilson's initial experience with the Red-Headed League in a comic strip format, detailing the dialogues and key events from Spaulding's convincing Mr. Wilson to apply for the job, to their visit to Fleet Street where many red-headed people were gathered, and finally Mr. Wilson's decision to seek Holmes's help after the league dissolves.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting narrative into a comic strip, focus on extracting pivotal dialogues and actions to convey the story's progression clearly in short, sequential frames, ensuring key plot points are highlighted.

Question 3. Form groups of five. Discuss how you can complete the rest of the story without referring to Part II of the story.
Answer: Mr. Holmes and Watson try to think out why the League shut so abruptly. Holmes feels he should meet Wilson at home to ask some questions that were bothering him. When he reached Wilson's house, he notices someone leaving the house. Mr. Holmes enquires about that person and understands that he was Wilson's assistant. Mr. Holmes feels that he has seen the assistants face before.
Later, he checks on records and finds out that the assistant is none but a notorious criminal Clay who was absconding. Mr. Holmes already had a sketch of Mr. Ross. On enquiring he came to know that Ross and Spaulding were very close. Mr. Holmes goes to Mr. Ross' house and threatens him. Mr. Ross spills the beans, that he and Spaulding were going to rob Mr. Wilson the very next day. Mr. Holmes informs the police and both Spaulding and Ross are caught and put behind bars.
In simple words: This answer provides a hypothetical continuation of the story where Sherlock Holmes investigates the sudden closure of the Red-Headed League, uncovers the true identities and criminal intentions of Spaulding and Ross, and eventually apprehends them before they can execute their robbery.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing tasks, focus on logical plot progression, character consistency, and a satisfying resolution that aligns with the established genre (detective story).

4. Language Study.

Modal auxiliary: You have read about main verbs and auxiliary verbs in Sid VI. You know that auxiliary verbs are helping verbs. Modal auxiliary verbs or modal verbs are also helping verbs. They are used with main verbs to show changes/modifications in the meaning of the main verb. They show possibility, ability, permission, intention, etc.
The modal auxiliaries are:
1. can, may, shall, will
2. could, might, should, would
3. must, ought to, used to, need, dare .........
Remember the following:
1. We do not use 'to' before a modal.
2. We do not add '-ed' or '-Ing' to a modal.
3. We can form questions and negative sentences using modals without using the auxiliaries be, have, or do.
Examples:
1. They can swim.
2. May I come In?
3. We shall sing.
4. Can he swim?
5. You may go.
6. She ought to play.
7. He cannot swim.
8. You must go.
9. They might come.

Question. Frame simple sentences – statements, questions, requests. orders, permissions, etc. using the modals listed above.
Answer:
1. Take an umbrella. It may rain today.
2. You should not leave objects lying on the floor.
3. Drivers must stop when the traffic light is red.
4. Can you speak French?
5. I could not solve the problem.
6. May I ask you a question?
7. You may take a holiday today.
8. You should see a doctor.
9. I could run fast when I was young.
10. Can I go out?
11. You need not buy any vegetables.
12. Students shall not enter this room.
13. What should I do to get rid of this pain?
In simple words: This answer provides a list of example sentences demonstrating the correct usage of various modal verbs (like may, should, must, can, could, need, shall) in different contexts, including statements, questions, and advice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice forming sentences with different modals to understand their nuanced meanings and appropriate usage for expressing possibility, obligation, ability, and permission.

The Red Headed League Question Answer Part – II

Question 1. Holmes and others go to the bank.
Answer: The bank received a lot of gold from the Bank of France.
In simple words: Holmes and his team went to the bank because it had recently received a significant amount of gold from the Bank of France, making it a target for the criminals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the motivations behind the characters' actions is key to comprehending the plot development and scoring well.

Question 2. Clay digs a tunnel.
Answer: Clay digs a tunnel.
In simple words: Clay's objective was to dig a tunnel, which was a crucial part of the plan to break into the bank vault.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note how specific actions like digging a tunnel are central to the criminal plot, showing the detail required for detection.

Question 3. Ross closes the office of the 'Red-headed League'.
Answer: Ross closes the office of the 'Red-headed League'.
In simple words: Duncan Ross closed the Red-headed League office, signaling that their fraudulent scheme had served its purpose and they were ready for the next phase of their crime.

🎯 Exam Tip: The closing of the office is a critical turning point in the story, indicating the criminals' next move and raising suspicion.

Question 4. Holmes catches the criminal Clay.
Answer: Holmes visits the area around Mr. Wilson's shop.
In simple words: To catch Clay, Holmes first visited the area around Mr. Wilson's pawnshop to gather clues and observe the surroundings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize Holmes's methodical approach in gathering preliminary evidence before taking direct action against criminals.

Question 5. Clay and Ross enter the cellar to steal the gold.
Answer: Holmes and others go to the bank.
In simple words: Holmes and his companions went to the bank to intercept Clay and Ross, who were attempting to break into the cellar to steal gold.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the interconnectedness of events; one action often directly leads to a counter-action by the detective.

Question 6. The bank received a lot of gold from the Bank of France.
Answer: Clay and Ross enter the cellar to steal the gold.
In simple words: The criminals, Clay and Ross, planned to enter the cellar to steal the gold because the bank had recently received a large shipment from the Bank of France.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the motive behind the crime (the gold shipment) is crucial for understanding the criminals' actions and Holmes's investigation.

Question 7. Holmes visits the area around Mr. Wilson's shop.
Answer: Holmes catches the criminal Clay.
In simple words: Holmes's visit to Mr. Wilson's shop area was a key step that led to him catching the criminal Clay, as it helped him understand the layout and the criminals' plan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the importance of Holmes's reconnaissance and careful observation in unraveling the mystery and apprehending the culprit.

Question 2. From the passage, find adverbs that end with '-ly'.

Question. From the passage, find adverbs that end with '-ly'. Find the adjective in each of the adverb
Answer:

In simple words: This question asks to identify adverbs ending in '-ly' from the passage and then provide their corresponding adjective forms, demonstrating the relationship between these two parts of speech.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice identifying adverbs and their root adjectives; understanding word formation helps in vocabulary building and grammar exercises.

Question 3. Discuss the following elements of a detective or mystery story.
1. a mystery
2. strange happenings
3. a smart detective who investigates the happenings
4. a crime/possibility of a crime
5. preventing the crime and catching the criminal.
6. characteristics of the victim
7. characteristics of the criminal
8. characteristics of the detective
Use the elements to prepare outlines of detective stories using your imagination. Write a story using any one of the outlines.
Answer:
Outline:
1. Disappearance of the 'Will'.
2. Death of the head of the family.
3. Wife and two sons left behind.
4. 'Will' to be read before family members.
5. The elder brother in charge of the 'Will'.
6. He makes excuses of misplacing the 'Will' and shows the photocopy of the 'Will'.
7. The family lawyer insists on the original 'Will'.
8. The elder brother keeps insisting on having lost the 'Will'.
9. Mr. Karamchand, a clever and intelligent detective called.
10. The detective makes the necessary enquiries.
11. The elder brother, a gambler, a revelation.
12. The detective catches the elder brother in his own act.
13. The elder brother owns up.
14. The lawyer with the help of the detective prevents a big crime from being executed.
Caught in his own act:
The disappearance of the 'Will' was a mystery in the Patwardhan family. The disappearance of the 'Will' came to light when it had to be read by the family members after the death of senior Mr. Patwardhan. Mr. Patwardhan had left behind a lot of property and wealth. Mr. Patwardhan had left behind his wife and two sons. When the family lawyer enquired about the 'Will', Mrs Patwardhan said that she had given it to her elder son who had said that he would keep it safely. The younger son was unaware of the 'Will' made by his father.
When the lawyer of the family asked him if he had read his father's ‘Will', he realised what they were saying and asked his mother to show the 'Will', she said that it was with her elder son. When the elder son was asked about the 'Will', he started making excuses by saying he had misplaced the 'Will' and could not find it. The family lawyer insisted that the 'Will' be shown to the younger son.
The elder son brought a photocopy of the 'Will'. The younger son and the family lawyer demanded the original ‘Will'. The elder son kept on making excuses and also said that the original 'Will' was lost. There was something in this situation which was a mystery. This is when the younger son hires a smart and intelligent detective, Mr. Karamchand. Mr. Karamchand makes a lot of enquiries and comes to know that the elder son was in the habit of gambling and was in a lot of debts.
Mr. Karamchand also came to know that the elder son was a very sweet talker and could twist and turn situations to his advantage. On the other hand, the younger brother was quite a simpleton who was happy with what he had, making it easier for the elder brother to manipulate him.
Their mother being quite old, had bouts of memory loss. This was another good reason for the elder son to do as he pleased. Mr. Karamchand, very cleverly got the truth out from the elder son. Mr. Karamchand informed the family lawyer, who in turn, demanded the original copy of the 'Will' from the elder son.
The lawyer also told him that it was a crime not to show the 'Will' to the family members. The elder brother showed the ‘Will' to the younger brother. The younger brother read the 'Will' and handed it to the family lawyer without suspecting anything. The family lawyer went through the 'Will' and found out that the 'Will' had been tampered with. The dates and certain words were changed for the benefit of the elder brother.
After a lot of interrogation, the elder brother accepted the crime committed by him. The family lawyer rectified the changes made and now the younger brother got his share of property and wealth.
In simple words: This story, based on the provided outline, describes a detective solving the mystery of a disappeared will. The elder brother, a gambler, attempts to tamper with the will to secure more inheritance, but a clever detective, Mr. Karamchand, uncovers his deception, leading to the rectification of the will and fair distribution of wealth.

🎯 Exam Tip: When crafting a mystery story, ensure a clear plot, logical investigative steps by the detective, and a conclusive resolution where the criminal is identified and justice is served.

Question 4. Use the following outline to develop a story as a group activity. Then write the story individually.
Question a.
Family returns home late at night - hear conversation between thieves
from inside the locked house - family gets ready to counter
attack - father opens the - door - all enter - no one is
seen - but T.V. is on detective serial midway.
Answer:
A Family Drama:
After attending the reception cum dinner of their close friend's daughter, at the famous five star hotel 'The Oberoi', Mr. Pai and his family were returning home discussing the evening. Mr. and Mrs Pai along with their two children Suhani and Soham had attended the function. It was quite late at night, and to add to it, it began to rain making the surroundings dark and scary.
Mr. Pai drove the car cautiously and reached their colony safely. Mr. Pai parked the car while the others waited for him at the entrance of their building. It was still raining and the watchman was nowhere in sight. The common light in the building was not on. The way leading to their house was in darkness. Somehow they gropped their way to the second floor, where they lived. As they reached their house, Mr. Pai felt that he heard footsteps and whispering coming from inside their house. He asked his wife to listen carefully and she too agreed that there was whispering. The conversation indicated robbers searching for valuables. There was no light in their house.
Mr. Pai was an army officer. He asked his family members to stand behind him and he opened the main door very slowly. He could hear conversation and movements too. He slowly went towards the bedroom from where the conversation was coming. The door was closed.
He took out his revolver and pushed the door open quickly only to understand that the conversation was from the T.V. serial 'Crime Patrol'. He then remembered that he had been watching T.V. before leaving home and had forgotten to switch it off. The other family members who had followed him gave a huge sigh of relief.
In simple words: This story follows a family's tense return home, believing they've encountered burglars, only to discover the sounds were from a TV detective serial they'd left on, leading to a humorous resolution.

🎯 Exam Tip: When developing a story from an outline, ensure that all elements of the outline are incorporated and that the narrative flows smoothly from setup to climax to resolution.

5. Language Study.

Synonyms, antonyms, homonyms: Synonyms are the words from the same language that have the same or more or less the same meaning.
Examples:
1. good - nice - pretty
2. shut - closed - sealed
3. intelligent - bright
Antonyms are words from the same language that have opposite meanings.
Examples:
1. strong - weak
2. right - wrong
3. hard - soft
4. up - down
Homonyms are words that are spelt and pronounced in the same way but have different meaning.
Examples
1. round adjective. - round noun.
2. walk noun. - walk verb.
Question. Start a collection of synonyms, antonyms and homonyms. Collect at least 50 each. Keep adding to your selection.
Answer:
Examples of Synonyms:
1. advice - help - guidance - aid
2. argument - dispute - squabble
3. aromatic - fragrant
4. backbone - spine
5. choosy - picky
6. constant - fixed
7. defective - faulty
8. enormous - huge - immense
9. famous - popular - renowned
10. fantastic - great - brilliant
Examples of Antonyms:
1. predator x prey
2. employer x employee
3. former x latter
4. exhale x inhale
5. natural x artificial
Examples of homonyms:
1. bark (n) - bark (y)
2. bow (n) - bow (y)
3. clear (adj) - clear (y)
4. current (adj) - current (n)
5. fair (adj) - fair (n)
In simple words: This answer provides examples of synonyms (words with similar meanings), antonyms (words with opposite meanings), and homonyms (words that sound or are spelled alike but have different meanings), as requested for a language study collection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Expanding your vocabulary by collecting synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms improves linguistic precision and comprehension for both written and spoken communication.

Answer the following questions:

Question 1. Who was well suited for the job?
Answer: Mr. Wilson was well suited for the job.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson was considered well-suited for the Red-Headed League job because of his red hair, which was the primary requirement, making him an ideal candidate for the criminals' scheme.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about character suitability, identify the specific traits or circumstances that make a character fit a particular role or situation in the story.

Question 2. What would you suggest/advice Mr. Wilson to do in the given situation?
Answer: The best thing to do when you know a crime is being committed or you are being cheated is to go to the lawful authority. I would suggest/ advice Mr. Wilson to go to the police and file a complaint against the people who had cheated him. It is better to do so rather than taking matters into your own hands and make the situation worse.
In simple words: If you suspect a crime or being cheated, immediately report it to the police or legal authorities to avoid making the situation worse.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on identifying appropriate legal actions and the importance of seeking professional help in such scenarios.

Question 3. What did Holmes want to see? Why?
Answer: Holmes wanted to see the knees of Mr. Spaulding's trousers. It was to see if thery were dirty.
In simple words: Holmes wanted to check Spaulding's trouser knees for dirt, which would indicate he had been kneeling and digging.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the subtle clues and observations that Holmes uses to deduce information.

Question 4. Guess where Mr. Merryweather took the others.
Answer: Mr. Merryweather led the others through an iron gate, down a narrow passage, that led through a dark, passage into a huge cellar, full of big boxes.
In simple words: Mr. Merryweather guided them through a narrow, dark passage, ultimately leading to a large cellar filled with boxes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the setting and atmosphere clearly to enhance understanding of the scene.

Question 5. How did Mr. Merryweather come to know about the crime?
Answer: Mr. Merryweather got a hint of the crime from Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
In simple words: Mr. Sherlock Holmes informed Mr. Merryweather about the impending crime.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the key characters involved in solving the mystery and their roles.

Question 6. Why did Mr. Holmes think the criminals would act that night?
Answer: Mr. Holmes had a strong feeling that the criminals would act that night because it was a Friday and the banks and offices would be closed for the weekend making the work of the criminals easier.
In simple words: Holmes believed the criminals would strike on a Friday night, as the weekend closure of banks and offices would give them more time undetected.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze Holmes's logical reasoning and how he predicts the criminals' actions based on circumstances.

Question 7. How did the criminals enter the cellar?
Answer: The criminals had made a square gash on the wall which separated Mr. Wilson's house and the bank's cellar. They removed a broad stone which left a square hole enabling the criminals to enter into the cellar.
In simple words: The criminals entered the cellar by digging a square hole through the wall connecting Mr. Wilson's house to the bank's cellar, after removing a large stone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the method and tools used by the criminals for their entry into the bank's cellar.

Question 8. Who were the two criminals?
Answer: The two criminals were none other than Mr. Vincent Spaulding alias Clay and Mr. Duncan Ross.
In simple words: The criminals were identified as Mr. Vincent Spaulding, also known as Clay, and Mr. Duncan Ross.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the identities of the antagonists and their aliases in the story.

Question 9. Why did Holmes become suspicious?
Answer: Mr. Holmes became suspicious when he heard that Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Wilson's assistant worked for only half the wages.
In simple words: Holmes grew suspicious upon learning that Mr. Spaulding, despite being Mr. Wilson's assistant, accepted only half the usual wages.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the unusual detail that first triggered Holmes's suspicion.

Question 10. How did Holmes find out that the assistant was a criminal?
Answer: Mr. Holmes used Mr. Wilson's description of his assistant, made further enquiries and found out that Mr. Spaulding was none other than Clay, a criminal.
In simple words: By using Mr. Wilson's description and conducting further investigations, Holmes discovered that Spaulding was actually Clay, a known criminal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize Holmes's investigative process, including using descriptions and follow-up enquiries.

Question 11. How did Mr. Holmes guess that Mr. Spaulding was digging a tunnel?
Answer: Mr. Holmes suspected that Mr. Spaulding was digging a tunnel because when Mr. Spaulding Clay. answered the doorbell, the knees of his trousers were wrinkled and stained and this confirmed his suspicion.
In simple words: Holmes inferred Spaulding was digging a tunnel because his trousers were wrinkled and stained at the knees when he answered the door, suggesting he had been kneeling in dirt.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific physical evidence Holmes observed that led to his key deduction.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar

Question 1. Simple Factual Questions:
Match the columns.

Answer:

In simple words: The task is to correctly pair each character from Column 'A' with their corresponding role or description from Column 'B'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the main characters and their roles to answer matching questions accurately.

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1. Why did Wilson like his assistant Spaulding?
Answer: Wilson liked his assistant Spaulding as he was smart, efficient and worked for only half the normal wages.
In simple words: Wilson appreciated Spaulding because he was intelligent, efficient, and worked for a reduced salary, making him a cost-effective employee.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific traits and circumstances that made Spaulding appealing to Mr. Wilson.

Question 2. Why was Fleet Street full of red-headed people?
Answer: There was an advertisement in the newspaper calling red-headed people in person to apply for a job at the office of the league. As the office was on Fleet Street, it was full of red-headed people.
In simple words: Fleet Street was crowded with red-headed people because a newspaper advertisement had invited them to apply for a job at the Red-headed League office located there.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the advertisement to the large gathering of red-headed individuals at Fleet Street.

Question 3. What did Mr. Wilson think looking at the crowd?
Answer: Seeing the crowd of red-headed people on the street, Mr. Wilson lost all hope of getting the job. Hence he wanted to go back.
In simple words: Upon seeing the massive crowd of red-headed applicants, Mr. Wilson felt discouraged and doubted his chances of securing the job, leading him to consider leaving.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Mr. Wilson's initial reaction and feeling of hopelessness when faced with intense competition.

Question 4. What happened when Mr. Duncan Ross saw Mr. Wilson?
Answer: Mr. Duncan was very pleased to see Mr. Wilson and announced immediately that he was well situated for the job. He sent back all the other candidates.
In simple words: Mr. Duncan Ross was delighted to see Mr. Wilson and promptly declared him suitable for the job, dismissing all other applicants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the swift and unusual decision by Mr. Duncan Ross and its implications.

Question 5. Why did Mr. Wilson accept the job?
Answer: Mr. Wilson accepted the job because the pay was not only very good but also Spaulding assured Mr. Wilson that he would look after Mr. Wilson's business in his absence.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson took the job due to its excellent pay and Spaulding's promise to manage his pawnshop during his working hours.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the dual motivations – financial gain and business security – that influenced Mr. Wilson's decision.

Vocabulary.

Question 1. Make 4 words of minimum 4 letters from the given words.
1. advertisement
2. representative
Answer:
1. adverse, verse, meant, said
2. present, pretest, native, resent
In simple words: The task is to form new words of at least four letters using only the letters available in the given longer words.

🎯 Exam Tip: When forming words, ensure each new word uses only the letters from the source word and meets the minimum length requirement.

Question 2. Give nouns form.
1. smart
2. efficient
3. develop
4. sat
5. announce
6. explain.
Answer:
1. smartness
2. efficiency
3. development
4. seat
5. announcement
6. explanation
In simple words: Convert the given verbs and adjectives into their corresponding noun forms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice identifying different parts of speech and their transformations (e.g., verb to noun, adjective to noun).

Grammar.

Question 1. There was nothing in the office but a couple of chairs and a table. Remove negative.
Answer: There were only a couple of chairs and a table in the office.
In simple words: To remove the negative, rephrase the sentence to state what was present in a positive way.

🎯 Exam Tip: When removing a negative, use words like "only" or "just" to convey the limited presence of items.

Personal Response:

Question 1. Who do you think is smarter – Mr. Wilson or his assistant?
Answer: I think Mr. Wilson's assistant, Spaulding was smarter. It was he who showed the advertisement to Mr. Wilson and urged and encouraged him to apply for the job. Seeing the large number of people trying to get the job, Mr. Wilson wanted to go back but spaulding pushed through the crowed and took him inside the office and saw to it that he got the job.
In simple words: Spaulding was smarter; he skillfully manipulated Mr. Wilson into taking the job, ensuring his participation despite Wilson's initial reluctance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Support your opinion with specific actions and decisions made by the characters in the story.

Question 2. Would you like to do such a job?
Answer: I would not like to do such a meaningless mundane and uninteresting job. Jobs should be interesting, challenging and provide scope for further learning and application of different skills which is totally absent in the job taken up by Mr. Wilson.
In simple words: I would not like this job because it lacked challenge, interest, and opportunities for learning or skill development, which are important aspects of a fulfilling career.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state your preference and provide solid reasons based on the characteristics of the job and your personal values.

Question 3. Why would anyone want to copy an encyclopedia?
Answer: No one in their right sense would copy an encyclopedia/ However, for reference in some study, students as well as teachers could copy down specific matter they need. In the same very, someone who is challenging some matter given or want to upgrade it can copy relevant portion of an encyclopedia.
In simple words: Normally, one wouldn't copy an entire encyclopedia, but specific sections might be copied by students or teachers for research, or by someone looking to challenge or update particular information.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider various legitimate reasons for copying specific information from an encyclopedia, not just the criminal motive in the story.

Question 4. What would we do today, if we needed copies of text from a big book?
Answer: Today, one would just take a photocopy xerox. of the required material.
In simple words: Today, we would simply photocopy the necessary text from a large book.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the question to modern technology and efficiency in information reproduction.

Question 5. What is the difference between a dictionary and an encyclopedia?
Answer: An encyclopedia is a set of books with a collection of information about various topics and subjects while a dictionary contains meanings of different words. Both are arranged in alphabetical order.
In simple words: A dictionary provides word meanings, whereas an encyclopedia offers detailed information across various subjects; both are alphabetically organized.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish the primary function of each resource – defining words versus providing comprehensive factual information.

Question 6. Suggest a few words that may appear under 'A' after 'Archery' in an encyclopedia.
Answer: Words that may appear under 'A' after 'Archery' in an encyclopedia could be as follows: architect, aromatics, asparagus, assassinator, astrobiologist, astrophysical, etc.
In simple words: Words appearing after 'Archery' in an encyclopedia would be alphabetically subsequent, such as architect, aromatics, or asparagus.

🎯 Exam Tip: Demonstrate understanding of alphabetical order and knowledge of words beginning with 'A'.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1. Complete the following.
1. Mr. Holmes asked ................
2. The offices and banks will be ................
3. We followed him down a ................
4. We are in the cellar of the city branch of ................
Answer:
1. the way to the Strand
2. closed for the weekend
3. narrow passage
4. one of the main banks of London
In simple words: This exercise requires filling in the blanks to complete sentences based on the story's details, such as Holmes's request, bank closures, the path taken, and the location.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall specific plot points and descriptions from the narrative to accurately fill in the blanks.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1. Why was Mr. Wilson shocked?
Answer: Mr. Wilson has been working for eight weeks and as usual when he reached the office at ten o' clock, he found the door shut and locked. He found a little note nailed on, it which said that the Red-headed league was dissolved. This shocked him.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson was shocked because after eight weeks, he arrived at the office to find it locked and a note declaring the Red-headed League dissolved.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail the specific events that led to Mr. Wilson's shock, including the duration of his employment and the discovery at the office.

Question 2. What did Mr. Wilson do next?
Answer: Mr. Wilson enquired at the nearly offices, but no one knew anything about the league.
In simple words: After finding the office closed, Mr. Wilson asked nearby businesses for information about the league, but no one knew anything.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Mr. Wilson's immediate reaction and attempts to gather information after the league's disappearance.

Question 3. Why did Mr. Wilson go to Mr. Holmes?
Answer: Mr. Wilson felt cheated when he suddenly lost his job with a good pay. He was curious to find out about the league and why they played a prank upon him. He had also heard about the ability of Mr. Holmes to solve mysteries.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson sought Holmes's help because he felt cheated after losing his well-paying job, was curious about the "prank," and knew of Holmes's reputation for solving mysteries.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the multiple reasons Mr. Wilson consulted Holmes, including his sense of injustice and Holmes's renown.

Question 4. How did Mr. Wilson describe his assistant?
Answer: Mr. Wilson described his assistant as small, stout, with no hair an his face and had a white splash of acid on his forehead.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson characterized his assistant as a small, stout man with a clean-shaven face and a distinctive white acid splash on his forehead.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note down all the physical descriptors provided by Mr. Wilson about his assistant, as they are crucial clues.

Question 5. What kind of a man was Mr. Wilson?
Answer: Mr. Wilson was a simpleton. He could be easily taken for a ride. He was hardworking and diligent.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson was a hardworking and diligent but naive man, easily deceived by others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Summarize Mr. Wilson's key personality traits, including his work ethic and gullibility.

Vocabulary.

Question 1. Give one word for the following.
1. sincerely and tirelessly
2. A playful trick that causes no harm
3. Something which cannot be explained
4. happening quickly and unexpectedly
5. Solidly built
Answer:
1. diligently
2. prank
3. mystery
4. suddenly
5. stout
In simple words: Provide a single vocabulary word that accurately describes each given phrase or definition.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on finding the most precise and concise single word that captures the meaning of each phrase.

Question 2. Frame a sentence of your own with 'diligently'.
Answer: We must always work diligently.
In simple words: Construct a sentence demonstrating the correct usage of the word 'diligently'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure the sentence uses the word 'diligently' correctly to describe an action performed with careful and persistent effort.

Grammar.

Question 1. On Saturday I got my salary. (Identify the subject and predicate)
Answer: Subject-I
Predicate – got my salary on Saturday
In simple words: In the sentence "On Saturday I got my salary," 'I' is the subject, and 'got my salary on Saturday' is the predicate.

🎯 Exam Tip: The subject is who or what the sentence is about, and the predicate is what the subject does or is.

Question 2. I had written Abbots, Archery etc. (Begin with 'Abbots...')
Answer: Abbots, Archery etc. had been written by me.
In simple words: To rephrase, change the sentence from active to passive voice, starting with the object.

🎯 Exam Tip: When rewriting a sentence starting with the object, use the passive voice construction (e.g., "had been written by me").

Question 3. He did not come at all. Add a question tag.
Answer: He did not come at all, did he?
In simple words: Add a question tag to the negative statement, using an auxiliary verb and a pronoun.

🎯 Exam Tip: For a negative statement, the question tag is positive; for a positive statement, it's negative.

Question 4. Mr. Wilson wrote diligently for four hours. (Identify the part of speech of the underlined words)
Answer: diligently - adverb
four - adjective
In simple words: 'Diligently' describes how Mr. Wilson wrote (an adverb), and 'four' describes the quantity of hours (an adjective).

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while adjectives modify nouns or pronouns.

Question 5. He locked the door of the office. (End with '....... the office')
Answer: Didn't he lock the door of the office?
In simple words: To rephrase, convert the statement into an interrogative sentence ending with the specified phrase.

🎯 Exam Tip: When forming a question from a positive statement, use a negative auxiliary verb at the beginning or as a question tag.

Personal Response.

Question 1. What would you advice Mr. Wilson to do in the given situation?
Answer: I feel Mr. Wilson made the right decision to take the help of Mr. Holmes about whom he had heard a lot.
In simple words: Mr. Wilson acted wisely by consulting Mr. Holmes, whose reputation for solving mysteries made him the ideal person to investigate the suspicious circumstances.

🎯 Exam Tip: Base your advice on the character's knowledge and available resources within the story's context.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1. Complete the following.
1. Mr. Holmes asked ................
2. The offices and banks will be ................
3. We followed him down a ................
4. We are in the cellar of the city branch of ................
Answer:
1. the way to the Strand
2. closed for the weekend
3. narrow passage
4. one of the main banks of London
In simple words: Fill in the blanks with details from the story: Holmes's inquiry, the status of banks, the path taken, and the bank's location.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your completions are precise and directly supported by the narrative events.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1. Tell the name of the young man who opened the door to Mr. Holmes.
Answer: The young man who opened the door to Mr. Holmes was his assistant Mr. Vincent Spaulding.
In simple words: Mr. Vincent Spaulding, Mr. Wilson's assistant, was the one who opened the door for Mr. Holmes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the specific character interactions and who greeted Holmes at the shop.

Question 2. What announcement did Mr. Holmes make?
Answer: Mr. Holmes announced that they were going to hunt one of the smartest criminals in London.
In simple words: Holmes declared their intention to pursue and apprehend one of London's most cunning criminals.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the exact nature of Holmes's announcement, highlighting his objective and the type of criminal they were after.

Vocabulary.

Question 1. Provide suitable adjective to the nouns given below.
1. weekend
2. banker
3. road
4. passage
Answer:
1. long weekend
2. successful banker
3. busy road
4. interesting passage
In simple words: Assign an appropriate descriptive adjective to each of the provided nouns.

🎯 Exam Tip: Choose adjectives that logically and commonly modify the given nouns, considering the context of the story if applicable.

Grammar.

Question 1. We went to the square were Mr. Wilson had his shop. (Change into future tense.)
Answer: We will go to the square where Mr. Wilson has his shop.
In simple words: To change to future tense, replace 'went' with 'will go'.

🎯 Exam Tip: The simplest way to convert to future tense is often by using "will" + the base form of the verb.

Question 2. We followed him down a narrow passage. (Rewrite the sentence beginning.... He was followed....)
Answer: He was followed by us down a narrow passage.
In simple words: Change the sentence from active to passive voice, starting with "He was followed...".

🎯 Exam Tip: When rewriting in passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and the original subject becomes part of a "by" phrase.

Personal Response.

Question 1. Why did the criminals take interest in the cellar?
Answer: Mr. Merryweather's banks had borrowed a huge quantity of gold from the Bank of France and the boxes in the cellar were full of gold. Hence the criminals were interested in the cellar.
In simple words: The criminals were interested in the cellar because it contained a large amount of gold borrowed from the Bank of France, making it a lucrative target.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the valuable contents of the cellar as the reason for the criminals' interest.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1. Was Clay successful in using his revolver? Why?
Answer: No, Clay was not successful in using his revolver because Mr. Holmes at once hit him on his wrist and the revolver fell on the floor.
In simple words: Clay failed to use his revolver because Holmes swiftly struck his wrist, causing the weapon to fall to the floor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the direct action taken by Holmes that prevented Clay from using his weapon.

Question 2. Who came out of the square hole?
Answer: Mr. Spaulding and Mr. Ross came out of the square hole.
In simple words: Mr. Spaulding and Mr. Ross emerged from the square hole.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the two criminals who were discovered attempting to escape through the tunnel.

Grammar.

Question 1. A boyish face emerged. (Pick out the adjective)
Answer: boyish
In simple words: The word 'boyish' describes the noun 'face', thus it is the adjective.

🎯 Exam Tip: An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

Question 2. He had a companion with him. (Add a question tag)
Answer: He had a companion with him, didn't he?
In simple words: Add the appropriate question tag 'didn't he?' to the positive statement.

🎯 Exam Tip: For a statement with 'had' as a main verb (indicating possession), the tag often uses 'didn't'.

Personal Response.

Question 1. Who tried to get away? Do you think he was able to escape? Why?
Answer: Mr. Duncan Ross tried to get away. But, he was not successful in escaping because there were three men waiting for him at the other end.
In simple words: Mr. Duncan Ross attempted to escape but failed because three men were positioned to intercept him at his exit point.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific character who tried to flee and explain the precise reason for their failure to escape.

Simple Factual Questions.

Question 1. Say if the statements are true or false.
1. Dr. Watson foiled one of the cunning attempts at bank robbery.
2. Using the tunnel they entered the bank.
3. The assistant working for half the wages made Mr. Holmes suspicious.
Answer:
1. False. It was't Dr. Watson, if was Holmes,
2. False
3. True
In simple words: Evaluate each statement against the story's facts to determine if it is true or false.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully read each statement and verify it with the events of the story to determine its accuracy.

Complex Factual Questions.

Question 1. Why did Mr. Merryweather thank Mr. Holmes?
Answer: Mr. Merryweather thanked Mr. Holmes as he had foiled one of the most cunning attempts at banks robbery.
In simple words: Mr. Merryweather thanked Holmes for successfully thwarting a very clever bank robbery attempt.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Holmes's critical role in preventing the crime as the reason for Merryweather's gratitude.

Question 2. What was strange about the advertisement?
Answer: The advertisement and the peculiar job was purly to get Mr. Wilson away from his shop for some hours every day.
In simple words: The advertisement and the unusual job were designed solely to lure Mr. Wilson away from his pawnshop for several hours daily.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the underlying motive behind the strange advertisement and job offer.

Question 3. Why did clay and his companion dig the underground tunnel?
Answer: Clay and his companion dug the underground tunnel to enter the bank and steal the gold without breaking open the doors of the bank.
In simple words: Clay and his accomplice dug the tunnel to gain covert access to the bank and steal gold, bypassing the need to force open its doors.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the tunnel digging directly to the criminals' goal of stealing gold undetected from the bank.

Question 4. What confirmed Mr. Holmes' suspicion?
Answer: When clay answered the bell, the knees of his trousers were wrinkled and stained, this confirmed his suspicion that he was digging.
In simple words: Holmes's suspicion was confirmed when he saw that Clay's trousers were wrinkled and stained at the knees, indicating he had been digging.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reiterate the visual cue (stained and wrinkled trousers) that solidified Holmes's theory.

Question 5. "You reasoned it out beautifully!" Express it differently.
Answer: You solved the puzzle very logically.
or
You connected the dots beautifully.
In simple words: Rephrase the compliment to convey that someone successfully and intelligently figured out a complex situation.

🎯 Exam Tip: Offer synonyms or alternative phrases that convey the same meaning of excellent logical deduction.

Vocabulary.

Question 1. Averbs forms of.
1. thank
2. grateful
3. obvious
4. suspicious
5. admiration
Answer:
1. thankfully
2. gratefully
3. obviously
4. suspiciously
5. admirably
In simple words: Convert each given word into its corresponding adverb form.

🎯 Exam Tip: Most adverbs are formed by adding '-ly' to an adjective; be mindful of spelling changes where applicable.

Grammar.

Question 1. Pick four adjectives from the passage.
Answer: cunning, cleaver, suspicious, beautifully
In simple words: Identify four words from the provided text that function as adjectives, describing nouns or pronouns.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns; scan the passage for words that describe qualities or characteristics.

Personal Response.

Question 1. Explain the trick of the 'Red-headed League'. How was it related to Mr. Wilson's hair?
Answer: The 'Red-headed League' was a clever idea of Mr. Spaulding and Mr. Ross, to keep away Mr. Wilson from his own home for some time during the day so that they could dig a tunnel from Mr. Wilson's house to the bank in the hope of stealing the gold from the bank without breaking open the doors of the bank. The 'Red-headed League' was no way connected to Mr. Wilson's hair. It was just a way to get Mr. Wilson to apply for the job.
In simple words: The Red-headed League was a scam by Spaulding and Ross to get Mr. Wilson out of his shop daily. This allowed them to secretly dig a tunnel from his shop to a nearby bank to steal gold, using his distinctive red hair as a pretext for the fake job.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on explaining the criminal's motive and method clearly. Key details are the tunnel digging and the purpose of the fake league.

Language Study.

Question 1. Complete the exercise by filling in with the right modals.
(1) You ............ be late again, (mustn't / needn't)
(2) You ............ do it now; you can finish it later. (mustn't / needn't)
(3) I think you ............ see a doctor, (should / can)
(4) ............ you help me? (May / Will)
(5) Students ............ arrive to class on time, (can / must)
(6) I ............ eat or I'll faint, (ought to / would)
Answer:
(1) mustn't
(2) needn't
(3) should
(4) Will
(5) must
(6) ought to
In simple words: Modals like mustn't, needn't, should, Will, must, and ought to are auxiliary verbs used to express necessity, permission, advice, or obligation in sentences.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the nuances of each modal verb to select the most appropriate one based on context. Practice with various scenarios.

Question 2.
(1) The ............ (fare/fair) in the village was breathtaking. Fill in with the correct homophone.
(2) Mohan won a ............ (meddle / medal) in the swimming competition. Fill in with the correct homophone.
(3) When it ............(rains/reins), it pours. Fill with the correct word.
(4) We were early but they were ............ (Fill in with the antonym of the underlined word)
(5) I (heard / herd) that the assistant worked for half the wages. (Cross out the wrong word)
(6) They planned to steal the gold. (Frame a 'Wh' question so as to get the underlined words as the answer)
Answer:
(1) fair
(2) medal
(3) rains
(4) late
(5) heard
(6) What did they plan?
In simple words: This exercise tests knowledge of homophones, antonyms, correct word usage, and forming 'Wh' questions, focusing on vocabulary and grammar.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to homophones' spellings and meanings. For 'Wh' questions, ensure the question directly targets the underlined information.

Formative Assessment.

Question 1. What do you have to do when you are told to 'apply in person' ?
Answer:
(1) Before applying for a job in person, it's necessary to check out who is hiring.
(2) Take time to research the employers before applying for jobs in person.
(3) You have to know what you need to take when you go there.
(4) The information you'll need to complete a job application.
(5) How to prepare for, on the spot interview.
(6) These points will guide you to provide all the information you need to apply in person, make a good impression and successfully get hired.
In simple words: When applying in person, you need to research the employer, know what documents to bring, prepare for an on-the-spot interview, and be ready to make a good impression to increase your chances of getting hired.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list practical and logical steps for an in-person application. Clarity and completeness are key for full marks.

Question 2. Find samples of 'classified ads' from an English newspaper. Where will the advertisement given here be seen in the classifieds?
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र एक समाचार पत्र के वर्गीकृत विज्ञापन अनुभाग को दर्शाता है। इसमें नौकरी के अवसर, बिक्री के लिए वस्तुएँ और सेवाएँ जैसे विभिन्न विज्ञापन खंड शामिल हैं। छात्र यह समझ सकते हैं कि विज्ञापन विभिन्न श्रेणियों में कैसे व्यवस्थित होते हैं।
The advertisement given in the story will be seen in 'Situations Vacant' or 'Part Time Jobs'.
In simple words: Classified ads are categorized sections in newspapers. The "Red-Headed League" advertisement would likely appear under "Situations Vacant" or "Part Time Jobs" sections, as it offers a job opportunity.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to classify an advertisement, identify the primary purpose (e.g., job, sale, service) to determine its appropriate section in a newspaper.

Question 3. Find out how photographs were developed in those days.
Answer: Louis Daguerre was the inventor of the first practical process of photography. Steps followed:
(1) Fix the image on a sheet of silver plate.
(2) Polish silver plate and coat it in iodine.
(3) Put plate in camera and expose it for a few minutes.
(4) Once image is painted by light, the plate is put into a solution of silver chloride.
(5) This process will create an image that would last a long time and will not get exposed to light.
(6) Students should find out more methods of photography.
In simple words: Early photography involved fixing images onto a silver plate, coating it with iodine, exposing it in a camera, and then developing it with silver chloride to create a lasting, light-resistant image.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a historical process, list the steps chronologically and clearly. Highlighting the key materials and actions is important.

The Red-Headed League Summary In English

This story is filled with mystery and suspense which keeps the reader wanting to know more. It is about a pawn-broker named Mr. Wilson, who goes to Sherlock Holmes and Watson and tells them about a strange business with a red-haired man. He tells them how his assistant encouraged him to apply for the job which he got. He worked for eight weeks. Suddenly the office closed without any notice. Holmes' detective mind finds something fishy about the happenings as narrated by Mr. Wilson. The story ends with Mr. Wilson's assistant Mr. Spaulding being a criminal, and he along with his friend Mr. Ross had planned to rob gold from a bank, through an underground tunnel dug out from Wilson's house to the bank. However, Sherlock Holmes foiled their plan and put them behind bars.

Introduction:

The lesson The Red-Headed League' is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes' short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It involves mystery and suspense.

Glossary:
(1) fiery (adj) - glowing
(2) pawn-broker (n) - a person who lends money on interest against things of value
(3) efficient (adj) - able to work well and produce good results
(4) assured (v) - guaranteed
(5) diligently (adv) - carefully, sincerely
(6) bade (v) - to tell
(7) dissolved (v) - disbanded (here) it means the organization was closed down.
(8) league (n) - an association or a formal group of people.
(9) prank (n)- playful trick that causes no harm.
(10) foiled (v) - laid waste, prevented
(11) splash (n) - sound made by something hitting the surface of some liquid.
(12) Strand (n) a famous place in London
(13) cellar (n) a room used for storage under a building
(14) take the criminals by surprise (phr) - catch then when they least expect it.
(15) object (v) - purpose, reason
(16) stopped all the holes (phr) - closed all the routes by which criminal may escape/run away
(17) seized by the collar (phr) - hold by the neck
(18) Frank (adj) - honest and outspoken
(19) gash (n) - a long deep cut
(20) attempt (v) - to endeavour to do, to try