PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 The Dying Detective Important Question Answers from English Literature (Supplementary Reader) Book
PSEB Class 10 English The Dying Detective Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for PSEB Class 10 English Literature (Supplementary Reader) Book Chapter 4 The Dying Detective? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 4 The Dying Detective now. The questions listed below are based on the latest PSEB exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 The Dying Detective Textbook Questions
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Who was Mrs Hudson? Why did she go to Watson’s house?
Ans. Mrs. Hudson was Sherlock Holmes’s landlady. She was worried about his health and wanted to help him. When the detective asked the landlady to bring Watson to him, she immediately went to Watson’s house to get the assistant, emphasising the detective’s illness and distraught state.
2. Where did Holmes get the illness from? When did he get it?
Ans. Holmes told the landlady, Mrs. Hudson, that he had contracted the disease from Rotherhithe when he was solving a case there. He told Watson that he contracted it from Chinese sailors when he was studying Eastern diseases. However, the truth was that he was supposed to contract it from a black and white ivory box with a sliding lid that was mailed to him, but he did not open it out of suspicion. In reality, he was not ill at all.
3. What was Holmes’ condition when Watson saw him?
Ans. Holmes’s condition was quite grave when Watson saw him. His face was thin and weak, his hands trembling, eyes bright with fever, and cheeks red with elevated body temperature. In the gloomy November weather outside, the sick-room and the sick man was in a much more pitiful state.
4. Why did he not let Watson examine him?
Ans. Watson was an excellent general doctor. However, we know that Holmes was not sick. It was all an act to catch Culverton Smith. If he had let Watson examine him, his act would have been revealed and his plan would have failed. So he did not let Watson examine him under the pretense that the disease he had was contagious and fatal and no one should come near him, even Watson.
5. Till when was Watson asked to stay in Holmes house?
Ans. Holmes asked him to stay with him for two hours, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
6. Why did Holmes not let Watson touch his things? What did Watson think about Holmes then?
Ans. Holmes did not want Watson to open the black and white ivory box and get in danger. So he acted like he was upset by Watson touching his things. Watson stopped touching his belongings, worried by how such a small thing was upsetting his master. He thought that his behavior meant that the disease was affecting the man mentally as well, making him delirious and easily upset.
7. What did Holmes ask Watson to do before leaving his room?
Ans. Holmes asked Watson if he had some change with him. When Watson said yes, Holmes told him to put all the half-crowns in his watch-pocket and the rest of the coins in his trouser pocket. Then, he asked Watson to put letters, blank pages and the black and white ivory box with the sliding lid on the table within his reach. The sliding lid was to be opened just slightly with tongs. The gas lamp was to be lit but only half-way. These are the things Holmes asked Watson to do before he went away to bring Culverton Smith.
8. Who was Culverton Smith? Why did Holmes want him for the treatment of his disease?
Ans. Culverton Smith was a planter who used to live in Sumatra before moving to London. Holmes wanted him for the treatment of his disease because his disease was also from Sumatra and he knew that Smith was the only man in London with adequate knowledge on Eastern diseases.
9. What did Holmes ask Watson to say to Mr Smith?
Ans. Holmes asked Watson to plead with Mr. Smith to come examine and cure Holmes immediately. He told Watson to describe his condition in great detail, putting emphasis on how he was on the verge of death. He also told Watson to come before Mr. Smith, and to give an excuse of having an appointment with someone else so that he could come back alone and before Mr. Smith.
10. Did Smith welcome Watson calling on him? How do you know?
Ans. No, Smith did not welcome Watson calling on him. We know that because when the butler had opened the door half-way, Watson heard him say to the butler to tell the visitor that he was not here and to come back later.
11. Why did Watson not come back with Smith?
Ans. Watson did not come back with Smith because Holmes had asked him to come back before Smith would arrive. He told Watson to make any excuse, like he had to be somewhere and could not accompany Smith to Holmes’s sick-room.
12. What did Smith ask Watson when he finally met him?
Ans. Smith asked three things. First he asked Watson if Holmes had sent him. The second thing he asked was about Holmes’s health. The last thing he asked was how Holmes had contracted the disease.
13. Did Smith go near Holmes to examine him? How do you know?
Ans. No, Smith did not go near Holmes to examine him. We know that Holmes simply described the symptoms. Instead, Smith simply said that Victor had the same disease, symptoms, and died on the fourth day.
14. Who was Victor Smith? What had happened to him and how?
Ans. Victor Smith was Culverton Smith’s nephew. He had been killed by his nephew. Culverton had purposely made Victor contract a deadly disease which killed him in four days.
15. “You did it. I’ll 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 killed his nephew Victor by giving him a deadly disease. No, Holmes lied when he said that he would forget everything. He only said that to provoke Culverton to explain his actions in more detail.
16. Why did Smith send infected sharp spring in an ivory box?
Ans. Smith had mailed Holmes a black and white ivory box with a sliding lid. When the lid was opened, a sharp sting came out which was infected with a deadly Eastern disease. He had sent it to Holmes because the detective was very close to figuring out who was behind Victor’s death. To eliminate him, he had sent that box to the detective.
17. Why did Holmes ask Smith to turn up the gas?
Ans. Holmes asked Smith to turn up the gas so that the police would find his fingerprints on the gas stove and it would incriminate him further. Also, the gas was a signal for Inspector Morton, a detective from Scotland Yard, to come and arrest Culverton Smith.
18. Who arrested Smith? What were the charges against him?
Ans. Inspector Morton of Scotland Yard arrested Smith. The charges against him were murder of Victor Smith and attempted murder of Sherlock Holmes.
19. Why did Holmes pretend to be ill? What did he do and say to appear ill?
Ans. Holmes pretended to be ill to lure and capture Culverton Smith. He didn’t eat anything for three days and put on make-up to look more sick.
20. Should Holmes have spoken so rudely to Watson? Why?
Ans. While his behavior towards Watson was rude, it was also necessary. The plan wouldn’t have worked if he hadn’t forced Watson to follow his orders. He acted rude to maintain his pretence of being delirious and mentally unstable. When Watson tried to disobey him to examine him, he had to undermine his ability to help him, despite knowing that he was an excellent doctor. But he had, because there was no other choice.
DISCUSSION
Holmes did not disclose his plan to Watson though he was his assistant. Was it justified? Discuss.
Ans. Holmes did not disclose his plan to Watson though he was his assistant. It is hard to say if it was justified or not.
While Watson’s loyalty to Holmes was strong enough to carry out the plan with him not knowing anything, Holmes would have been so rude to his assistant like he was when keeping him away from him. Moreover, Watson would not have been so affected by his master’s cruel words. However, sometimes, some harsh decisions need to be made. It is possible that when Holmes received the box, he realized that it would take time for him to explain everything to Watson. While we see that Watson is caring and capable, he is not as smart and sharp as Holmes. This would have slowed down Holmes’s plan. Holmes’s must have this reason to keep his assistant completely in the dark regarding the plan. Therefore, it is not completely justified, but it is not completely inexcusable as well.
Punjab Board Class 10 English Chapter 4 The Dying Detective Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow-
A. Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, came to me and said, “Mr Holmes is dying. Mr Watson. For three days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last another day. He would not let me get a doctor. I told him I could not stand it any more and would get a doctor he replied, “Let it be Watson then”.
I was horrified for I had not heard about his illness before. I rushed for my hat and coat. As we drove back. I asked her about the details.
Q1. Who is ‘I’ here?
Ans. The narrator, James Watson.
Q2. Choose the most suitable synonym for ‘sinking’ as used in the extract-
A. Fading
B. declining
C. living
D. singing
Ans. B. declining
Q3. What did she mean by saying – “I doubt if he will last another day”?
Ans. She thought that he would die the next day.
Q4. What does “I could not stand it” mean?
Ans. It means that she could not tolerate it.
Q5. Why was Watson horrified?
Ans. He was horrified because he had not heard of the illness earlier.
B. “There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been working on a case down at Rotherhithe, near the river, and has brought this illness back with him. He took to bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since. For three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips.”
“Why did you not call a doctor?” I asked.
“He wouldn’t have it, sir. I didn’t dare to disobey him.”
He was indeed a sad sight. In the dim light of a foggy November day, the sick-room was a gloomy spot, but it was the gaunt face staring from the bed that brought chill to my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever, his cheeks were flushed, his hand twitched all the time. He lay listless.
Q1. Who is ‘he’?
Ans. Sherlock Holmes
Q2. Rotherhithe is near a _____
Ans. River
Q3. From where did Holmes get the illness?
Ans. He got the illness from Rotherhithe where he was working on a new case.
Q4. Why didn’t Hudson call a doctor?
Ans. Holmes had refused to get a doctor and she did not dare disobey him.
Q5. Find the option with the correct synonym of ‘gaunt’.
A. thick
B. plump
C. skinny
D. fat
Ans. C. skinny
C. “If I am to have a doctor,” said he, “let me at least have someone in whom I have confidence.”
“Then you have none in me?”
“In your friendship, certainly. But facts are facts, Watson. You are a general practitioner, not a specialist of this disease.”
“If so, let me bring Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, or any other best man in London.”
“How ignorant you are! Watson!” he said with a groan. “What do you know about Tapaunli fever or the black Formosa plague?”
“I have never heard of them,” I admitted.
“There are many problems of the disease in the East. I have learnt that much during my recent researches. And during this course I caught this illness,” he said.
“I will bring Dr Aintree then,” I said going towards the door. Never have I had such a shock when the dying man bolted the door and locked it, holding the key in his hand. The next moment he was back in his bed.
Q1. Why did Holmes refuse to be treated by Watson?
Ans. Holmes reasoned that Watson was not familiar with the Eastern diseases. So, he refused to be treated by Watson.
Q2. Who all did Watson suggest to get to treat Holmes?
Ans. He suggested getting Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher. Then he suggested to get Dr Aintree.
Q3. What did Holmes do when Watson walked towards the door? Why was his act strange?
Ans. Holmes bolted the door and locked it. He held the key in his hand. It was strange because he was ill and could not get out of bed.
Q4. What do you think are Tapaunli fever or the black Formosa plague types of?
Ans. They are types of illnesses which prevail in Eastern countries.
Q5. How did Holmes know Watson?
Ans. They were friends.
D. “I have never heard of the name,” I said.
“Well, he is the man who has the knowledge of this disease – but he is not a medical man. He is a planter. He lives in Sumatra, now visiting London. I didn’t want you to go before six, because you wouldn’t have found him in his study. I hope you will be able to persuade him to come. You will tell him exactly how you have left me.” He said, “You must tell him that I’m dying-plead with him, Watson.”
“I’ll bring him in a cab,” I said.
“No. You will persuade him to come and return before him. Make any excuse. Remember this, Watson.”
I saw Mrs Hudson was waiting outside, trembling and crying. Below, as I waited for the cab, I met Inspector Morton of the Scotland Yard. He was not in his uniform.
“How is he?” he asked.
“He is very ill,” I answered.
I reached Mr Culverton Smith’s house. The butler appeared at the doorway. Through the half- open door I heard a man’s voice telling the butler, “I am not at home, say so.” I pushed past the butler and entered the room. I saw a frail man with bald head sitting. “I am sorry,” I said, “but the matter cannot be delayed. Mr Sherlock Holmes……………”
The mere mention of his name had a different effect on the man.
“Have you come from Holmes? How is he?” he asked.
Q1. Who is ‘the man’ they are talking about?
Ans. Mr Culverton Smith
Q2. Why did Holmes want Watson to get Mr Culverton Smith?
Ans. According to Holmes, Mr Smith lived in Sumatra and knew about the eastern diseases. So, he wanted Watson to get him.
Q3. Why did Mr Smith tell the butler that he wasn’t at home?
Ans. Perhaps he did not want any visitors.
Q4. What did Watson tell Mr Smith?
Ans. He said that the matter could not be delayed.
Q5. What is Mr. Smith’s occupation?
Ans. He is a planter based in Sumatra.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is said to be dying?
A. Smith
B. Holmes
C. Watson
D. None of these
Ans. B. Holmes
Q2. From where / whom did he get the disease?
A. Watson
B. The east
C. landlady
D. Smith
Ans. B. The east
Q3. Who wrote the story?
A. Sherlock Holmes
B. Dr Watson
C. Athur Conan Doyle
D. All of these
Ans. C. Athur Conan Doyle
Q4. Sherlock Holmes asked his landlady to call _____
A. Smith
B. Inspector
C. Watson
D. A doctor
Ans. C. Watson
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a character in the story?
A. Arthur Smith
B. Victor Smith
C. Sherlock Holmes
D. James Watson
Ans. A. Arthur Smith
Q6. Watson suggests to bring Dr._________
A. Smith
B. Ainstree
C. Culverton
D. All of these
Ans. B. Ainstree
Q7. Find the meaning of ‘delirious’.
A. Miser
B. wasteful person
C. a hardworker
D. In a disturbed state of mind
Ans. D. In a disturbed state of mind
Q8. Who is Mr Culverton Smith?
A. doctor
B. planter
C. trader
D. not mentioned
Ans. B. planter
Q9. Culverton Smith lives in ________
A. India
B. Sumatra
C. Vietnam
D. China
Ans. B. Sumatra
Q10. _____________ was from Scotland Yard
A. Sergeant Smith
B. Inspector Morton
C. Inspector Watson
D. Holmes
Ans. B. Inspector Morton
Q11. Who is Mrs Hudson?
A. The landlady
B. Watson’s mother
C. Holmes aunt
D. Smith’s tenant
Ans. A. The landlady
Q12. Who instructed the butler to say that he was not at home?
A. Sherlock Holmes
B. James Watson
C. Culverton Smith
D. No one
Ans. C. Culverton Smith
Q13. Holmes’ symptoms were same as ______ had.
A. Victor
B. James
C. Culverton
D. All of these
Ans. A. Victor
Q14. How was Victor related to Culverton?
A. Son
B. nephew
C. grandson
D. father
Ans. B. nephew
Q15. __________ was arrested for Victor’s murder.
A. Mrs Hudson
B. no one
C.Culverton Smith
D. Sherlock Holmes
Ans. C.Culverton Smith
Q16. Victor died on the ____ day of showing the symptoms.
A. second
B. third
C.fourth
D. sixth
Ans. C.fourth
Q16. Watson was a good __________ of Holmes
A. neighbour
B. enemy
C. colleague
D. friend
Ans. D. friend
Q17. How did Watson plan to bring Culverton Simth?
A. in a bus
B. in a cart
C. in a cab
D. not mentioned
Ans. C. in a cab
Q18. Sumatra lies to the ____ of London.
A. West
B. East
C. North
D. South
Ans. B. East
Q19. Whom did Watson meet at Culverton’s house?
A. a butler
B. a maid
C. his wife
D. none of these
Ans. A. a butler
Q20. Where wdid Watson meet Holmes?
A. in the study
B. in the sick room
C. in the garden
D. in the hall
Ans. B. in the sick room
True or False
Identify whether the following statements are true or false-
1. Holmes had feigned illness.
2. Holmes had laid a trap for Culverton Smith.
3. Watson was the narrator of the story.
4. Mrs Hudson owed money to Holmes.
5. Mr. Smith tried to kill Holmes.
6. Holmes had not eaten or drunk for the past five days.
7. The story is set in the month of December.
8. Holmes stopped Watson from coming close because he had a contagious disease. This was only a cover up.
9. Mr Smith resided on Burke street.
10. Mr Smith was a strong man with a hairy head.
Answers-
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. True
10. False
Fill in the blanks
1. Mr Smith was called upon because of his knowledge of _______
2. There was a sharp _____ inside the box.
3. The spring drew _____.
4. Holmes was trying to nab ___________ killer.
5. Culverton Smith was ____ a medical man.
6. Watson helped Holmes by getting Mr Smith to ______
7. Inspector _______ arrested Mr Smith on charge of _________
8. ________ called upon Dr Watson to inform him of Holmes’ ill health.
9. Rotherhithe is locsted near a _____
10. Holmes had possibly contracted a disease from _____
Answers-
1. Eastern diseases
2. Spring
3. Blood
4. Victor’s
5. Not
6. Visit him
7. Morton, murder
8. Mrs Hudson
9. River
10. Sumatra
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions-
Q1. Was Sherlock Holmes actually ill? How do you know it?
Ans. No, Holmes was feigning illness. It was a trap to arrest Mr Culverton Smith who had killed his nephew Victor Smith and was now trying to kill Holmes.
Q2. Who was Holmes’ landlady? How did she react to Holmes’ illness?
Ans. Mrs Hudson was Holmes’ landlady. She thought that Holmes was about to die and rushed to get a doctor for him. She was trembling and crying to see Holmes’ condition.
Q3. Why did Watson have to pretend that he had some other appointment?
Ans. Watson had been instructed by Holmes to persuade Culverton Smith to visit Holmes and return before him. So, he had to leave on the pretext that he had some other appointment. Thus, he reached Holmes’ house before Culverton did and informed him of the development.
Q4. Why did Holmes want Watson to go to Smith’s house at 6 o’clock?
Ans. Before 6, Mr Smith would not be in his study. So, Holmes wanted Watson to go there at 6 or later.
Q5. What did Mr Smith do and what was he planning to do?
Ans. He had killed his nephew Victor. Now, he was planning to kill Holmes also, to destroy evidence that he might have collected while investigating the case.
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