Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 4 – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Important Question Answers from Woven Words Book
Class 11 English (Elective) The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Important Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Short Stories Chapter 4 – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 11 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 4 – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract-based questions, multiple choice questions and Extra Question Answers
Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs NCERT Solutions
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Grammar Exercise
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Extract Based Questions
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Multiple Choice Questions
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Extra Question Answers
Related:
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Summary, Explanation
- The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Character Sketch
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Textbook Questions (NCERT Solutions)
Look for these expressions in the text and guess what they mean from the context
with a disconsolate air
of sinister and murderous reputation
want of imaginative intuition
penitentiary
devilish ingenuity
confederate in crime
shamefaced grin
dissipated dreams
rigmarole of lies
syncopated dialogue
cadaverous face
Ans.
with a disconsolate air – Looking very sad and hopeless.
of sinister and murderous reputation – Known for being dangerous and having committed crimes like murder.
want of imaginative intuition – Lacking the ability to imagine or guess things beyond facts.
penitentiary – A prison, especially one for serious criminals.
devilish ingenuity – Cleverness used for evil or dishonest purposes.
confederate in crime – A partner or accomplice in committing a crime.
shamefaced grin – A guilty or embarrassed smile.
dissipated dreams – Hopes or dreams that have been completely destroyed.
rigmarole of lies – A long, complicated story full of lies.
syncopated dialogue – A conversation with a jerky or irregular rhythm, like jazz music.
cadaverous face – A face that looks pale, thin, and like a dead body.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. What clues did Sherlock Holmes work upon to get at the fact that the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?
Ans. Holmes noticed several inconsistencies and suspicious elements in John Garrideb’s story. For instance, the elaborate tale about a massive inheritance dependent on finding a man with a rare surname seemed implausible. Additionally, Holmes noted Garrideb’s anxiety when Watson was included in the plan and his eagerness to get Nathan Garrideb out of his house. Holmes’s suspicion was further aroused by the advertisement that mimicked American spelling and idiom, suggesting Garrideb’s American origin and potential criminal intent. These clues led Holmes to suspect that the story was merely a cover for another purpose.
2. What was John Garrideb’s objective in inventing the story of Alexander Hamilton Garrideb and his legacy?
Ans. John Garrideb fabricated the inheritance story to lure Nathan Garrideb out of his home temporarily. His real aim was to gain access to Nathan’s lodgings, particularly the basement at 136, Little Ryder Street. Garrideb believed that a counterfeit printing operation had previously been run there by a criminal associate, Roger Presbury, and that printing plates or other valuable materials might still be hidden on the premises.
3. Why didn’t John Garrideb like the idea of including Holmes in the hunt for the third Garrideb?
Ans. Garrideb was uncomfortable with Holmes’s involvement because he feared exposure. As a criminal, he knew that Holmes’s investigative skills could unravel the fabricated story and uncover his true motive. Garrideb wanted to avoid scrutiny and hoped to manipulate Nathan Garrideb alone, without interference from a sharp and experienced detective like Holmes.
4. Who was Roger Presbury and how was John Garrideb connected with him?
Ans. Roger Presbury was a known forger who had operated a counterfeit money scheme. He was eventually murdered by his accomplice, who was none other than John Garrideb, also known by his alias “James Winter” or “Morecroft.” After killing Presbury, Garrideb was imprisoned but later released. He returned to London to search for Presbury’s hidden printing plates and other materials in the old hideout at 136, Little Ryder Street.
5. How did Holmes guess that John Garrideb would go to 136, Little Ryder Street? Did he expect to find what he ultimately did before he went there?
Ans. Holmes deduced that 136, Little Ryder Street was central to Garrideb’s plan because of his urgency to get Nathan Garrideb out of the house. Holmes also linked the address to Roger Presbury, the murdered forger. While Holmes suspected that Garrideb was after something hidden in the building, he could not be sure until he investigated the basement himself. He anticipated criminal activity but didn’t know the exact details until he caught Garrideb in the act.
APPRECIATION
1. Examine the structure of the short story ‘Adventure of the Three Garridebs’ with the help of this framework
The narrator of the story
Introduction of the topic of the story
Introduction of the main characters in the plot
Development of the plot
Climax
Resolution of the mystery.
Ans.
Narrator of the story: Dr. John Watson, Holmes’s friend and assistant.
Introduction of the topic: A man named John Garrideb approaches Holmes with an odd story about a fortune tied to finding others with the same surname.
Introduction of main characters: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Nathan Garrideb (the gullible recluse), and John Garrideb (the schemer).
Development of the plot: Holmes investigates the story, growing suspicious of Garrideb’s motives. He uncovers Garrideb’s criminal background and connection to Roger Presbury.
Climax: Holmes sets a trap and catches Garrideb breaking into the basement, confirming his suspicions.
Resolution of the mystery: The true motive is revealed — Garrideb was after hidden counterfeit plates — and he is arrested. The story ends with a touching moment that strengthens Holmes and Watson’s bond.
2. Examine the subtle humour in the narration of the story that lightens the gravity of the subject matter.
Ans. The story contains dry humour, particularly in Holmes’s witty remarks and ironic observations. For example, Holmes mocks the absurdity of the inheritance condition that requires three people with a rare surname. There’s also gentle satire in how easily Nathan Garrideb is manipulated by the promise of wealth. Holmes’s amused commentary about the “American millionaire” and Watson’s observations add lightness to an otherwise criminal plot, balancing tension with levity.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Grammar Exercises
LANGUAGE WORK ______________________________________________________
1. a. Identify the words in the advertisement that gave away the fact that it was placed by John Garrideb.
b. Make a list of words which are spelt differently in American and British English.
Ans. a. Words such as “real estate” (instead of “property”) and “centre” being spelled as “center”, along with other Americanisms like “elevator” and “apartment”, revealed the ad’s American origin. Holmes recognized that the phrasing and spelling were typical of American English, pointing to John Garrideb’s background.
b.
| British English | American English |
| colour | color |
| organise | organize |
| centre | center |
| traveller | traveler |
| defence | defense |
| licence | license |
| programme | program |
| jewellery | jewelry |
2. Look at the highlighted expressions in the following sentences from the text and explain their figurative meaning
‘I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb could I catch.’
‘They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked a cock pheasant as that.’
‘There is no bolt-hole for you in this country.’
‘When his castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins.’
Ans.
Searched very thoroughly and carefully but found nothing.
Holmes is using a hunting metaphor, meaning that he pays special attention to his favourite sources of clues and wouldn’t miss an obvious lead.
There is no place for you to escape or hide.
His unrealistic dreams collapsed and brought about his downfall.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Extract-Based Questions and Answers
A.
“You see, Mr. Holmes,” said our strange visitor, “my name is Garrideb—Nathan Garrideb. I am a bachelor and live alone at 136, Little Ryder Street. It may be a mere coincidence, or it may be the working out of the schemes of Providence, but Mr. John Garrideb, a lawyer of Kansas, was in London last week and happened to read my name. He was amazed to see it, for he had been trying to find another man of that name.”
1. Who is the speaker in this extract?
Ans. The speaker is Nathan Garrideb, who visits Sherlock Holmes to narrate his unusual situation.
2. Where does Nathan Garrideb live?
Ans. He lives alone at 136, Little Ryder Street.
3. Who is John Garrideb, and where is he from?
Ans. John Garrideb is a lawyer from Kansas who claims to be searching for others with the same surname.
4. How did John Garrideb come across Nathan Garrideb’s name?
Ans. John Garrideb read Nathan’s name while he was in London and was surprised by the coincidence.
5. What does Nathan Garrideb imply about the discovery of his name?
Ans. He suggests it might be a coincidence or possibly fate working through Providence.
B.
“Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some time with a curious expression on his face. ‘This case,’ said he at last, ‘seems to me to belong to a class of cases which are few but complex. It is possible that we have been honoured by one of the most impudent frauds ever attempted. I think we should keep a close eye on Mr. John Garrideb.’”
1. What does Holmes do as he thinks about the case?
Ans. Holmes lights his pipe and sits quietly, reflecting with a curious expression.
2. How does Holmes describe the case?
Ans. He describes it as a rare but complex case.
3. What does Holmes suspect about the situation?
Ans. He suspects that they might be dealing with a highly audacious fraud.
4. Who does Holmes think they should watch closely?
Ans. He believes they should closely monitor John Garrideb.
5. What does Holmes’ attitude suggest about his instincts?
Ans. It shows that Holmes is cautious and trusts his intuition when something feels wrong.
C.
“Then he fell upon his knees on the rug and clapped his hands together with an expression of ecstasy. ‘Thank God!’ he cried. ‘I feared that you were hurt!’ Holmes stooped and tied up the wounded man’s handkerchief. ‘Watson,’ said he, ‘this is a villain and a murderer.’”
1. Who is kneeling and expressing relief?
Ans. Watson is the one who falls to his knees, relieved that Holmes is not seriously hurt.
2. Why does Watson clap his hands in joy?
Ans. He is overwhelmed with relief, thinking Holmes might have been injured.
3. What does Holmes do for the wounded man?
Ans. Holmes ties up the man’s wound using a handkerchief.
4. How does Holmes describe the attacker?
Ans. He calls him a villain and a murderer.
5. What does this extract reveal about Watson’s feelings?
Ans. It shows Watson’s deep loyalty and concern for Holmes’s well-being.
D.
“‘It was worth a wound—it was worth many wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain.’”
1. Who is speaking in this emotional reflection?
Ans. Dr. Watson is the speaker, reflecting on Holmes’s reaction to his injury.
2. What does Watson say was worth the pain of his wound?
Ans. He says it was worth it to witness Holmes’s genuine concern and emotion.
3. What physical signs of emotion does Holmes display?
Ans. Holmes’s eyes were dimmed, and his lips were trembling.
4. What does Watson mean by “that cold mask”?
Ans. He refers to Holmes’s usual stoic and unemotional exterior.
5. What dual qualities does Watson observe in Holmes here?
Ans. He observes both a brilliant mind and a deeply compassionate heart.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is Nathan Garrideb’s profession?
(a) Retired doctor
(b) Reclusive collector
(c) Businessman
(d) Artist
Ans. (b) Reclusive collector
2. Where does Nathan Garrideb live?
(a) Baker Street
(b) Little Ryder Street
(c) London Bridge Road
(d) Victoria Lane
Ans. (b) Little Ryder Street
3. Who brings the Garrideb case to Holmes?
(a) Watson
(b) Lestrade
(c) Nathan Garrideb
(d) Inspector Gregson
Ans. (c) Nathan Garrideb
4. What does John Garrideb claim to be?
(a) Banker
(b) American lawyer
(c) Retired army officer
(d) Detective
Ans. (b) American lawyer
5. What inheritance is promised in John Garrideb’s story?
(a) A castle
(b) A diamond ring
(c) A large land estate
(d) A fortune of five million dollars
Ans. (d) A fortune of five million dollars
6. According to John Garrideb, how many people must have the name ‘Garrideb’ to claim the inheritance?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Ans. (c) Three
7. What does Holmes immediately suspect about John Garrideb?
(a) He is insane
(b) He is wealthy
(c) He is lying
(d) He is a friend of Watson
Ans. (c) He is lying
8. Why is Holmes interested in John Garrideb’s trousers?
(a) They appear American
(b) They are dirty
(c) They have blood on them
(d) They have London tailor marks
Ans. (d) They have London tailor marks
9. What object in Nathan Garrideb’s home interests Holmes the most?
(a) The library
(b) A painting
(c) A bloodstain
(d) A newly placed rug
Ans. (d) A newly placed rug
10. What is found beneath the rug in Garrideb’s home?
(a) A hidden trapdoor
(b) A gun
(c) A dead body
(d) A money chest
Ans. (a) A hidden trapdoor
11. What does Holmes discover about the house’s history?
(a) It was once used by the Queen
(b) It was previously owned by a counterfeiter
(c) It belonged to a nobleman
(d) It used to be a school
Ans. (b) It was previously owned by a counterfeiter
12. What was John Garrideb’s real motive?
(a) To collect stamps
(b) To hide from the police
(c) To retrieve printing equipment from the basement
(d) To find gold hidden in the house
Ans. (c) To retrieve printing equipment from the basement
13. What happens to Holmes during the confrontation?
(a) He is wounded
(b) He falls through the trapdoor
(c) He laughs
(d) He saves Watson from danger
Ans. (d) He saves Watson from danger
14. What injury does Watson receive?
(a) A bullet wound in the thigh
(b) A scratch on his face
(c) A head injury
(d) A broken arm
Ans. (a) A bullet wound in the thigh
15. How does Holmes react to Watson’s injury?
(a) He scolds him
(b) He shows rare emotional concern
(c) He ignores it
(d) He does not rush for help
Ans. (b) He shows rare emotional concern
16. What was John Garrideb’s real name?
(a) Roger Presbury
(b) Howard Garrick
(c) James Winter
(d) Albert Jones
Ans. (c) James Winter
17. What was James Winter’s (aka Garrideb’s) criminal background?
(a) He was a smuggler
(b) He was a murderer and forger
(c) He was a bank clerk
(d) He was a thief of paintings
Ans. (b) He was a murderer and forger
18. What finally exposes John Garrideb’s identity?
(a) A hidden letter
(b) A fingerprint
(c) Holmes’ deduction and police records
(d) Watson’s old notes
Ans. (c) Holmes’ deduction and police records
19. Who narrates the story?
(a) Sherlock Holmes
(b) Inspector Lestrade
(c) Dr. Watson
(d) Nathan Garrideb
Ans. (c) Dr. Watson
20. What does the story ultimately highlight about the relationship between Holmes and Watson?
(a) Their mutual jealousy
(b) Their professional competition
(c) Their deep loyalty and emotional bond
(d) Their misunderstanding and conflict
Ans. (c) Their deep loyalty and emotional bond
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Extra Question Answers
1. Why did Holmes become suspicious of John Garrideb’s story?
Ans. Holmes became suspicious of John Garrideb’s story because it sounded too fantastic to be true. The idea of needing three men with the same rare surname to inherit a large fortune seemed odd. Additionally, Garrideb’s trousers had markings from a London tailor, even though he claimed to be American. Holmes noticed that Garrideb avoided giving clear details about his supposed benefactor, Howard Garrideb. These inconsistencies made Holmes investigate further, leading him to suspect that Garrideb had created the story to trick Nathan Garrideb into leaving his room for a criminal purpose.
2. What was the real reason behind the fake Garrideb story?
Ans. The fake story about the three Garridebs was created by a criminal named Killer Evans to trick Nathan Garrideb into leaving his room. Evans needed access to the room because it was previously used by another criminal, Rodger Presbury, to make counterfeit money. Evans believed that the equipment and fake notes were still hidden there. Since Nathan never left the room due to his obsession with his collection, Evans invented the Garrideb inheritance story to lure him out. Holmes discovered this plot through his investigations, ultimately preventing the crime from succeeding.
3. What role did Watson play in solving the case?
Ans. Dr. Watson played a supportive yet vital role in solving the Garrideb case. He accompanied Holmes during the investigation and was present during the final confrontation with Killer Evans. Watson was the one Holmes trusted to help watch the trapdoor, and he remained calm even after being shot in the thigh by Evans. Watson’s injury brought out a rare moment of emotional vulnerability from Holmes, showing the depth of their friendship. Though not the lead investigator, Watson’s presence and loyalty were crucial in capturing the criminal and resolving the case successfully.
4. How does Holmes reveal his emotional side in the story?
Ans. Holmes, usually portrayed as logical and emotionally reserved, briefly reveals his emotional side when Watson is shot by Killer Evans. Seeing his friend hurt, Holmes becomes visibly shaken, his eyes fill with tears, and his lips tremble. He anxiously asks Watson if he is badly injured and expresses relief when the wound turns out to be superficial. Holmes even threatens the criminal, saying Evans would not have left the room alive if Watson had been killed. This rare moment of emotion shows that beneath Holmes’s calm and intellectual exterior lies deep affection and loyalty for Watson.
5. What is the significance of the title “The Three Garridebs”?
Ans. The title The Three Garridebs refers to the central trick in the story, a fictional inheritance that requires three men with the surname “Garrideb” to claim it. The title represents the fake identity and elaborate plot constructed by Killer Evans to gain access to a specific room for criminal purposes. While only two Garridebs are real, Nathan and the impersonator John, the third was never found, as he never existed. The title highlights the story’s central theme of deception and how a fabricated identity can be used to manipulate others for selfish and illegal reasons.