A ferocious act is one that is violent and cruel.

To have speckles is to have many small spots or patches of colour.

A casefile is a document kept with all the details of an investigation.

A mystery is something that is difficult to understand or explain.

If an incident is suspicious, then there is reason to mistrust or feel doubt towards it.

Making predictions about ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

English

in 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils practise using analytical writing sentence structures, to formulate their arguments. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils develop these skills further, applying them to a range of pre- 20th Century texts. 

in 'When the Sky Falls' pupils read fiction texts for fluency and comprehension. In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories' pupils start to analyse the language choices of an author.

In this unit, pupils read and explore two famous Sherlock Holmes stories. They start by reading and analysing 'The Speckled Band' before using it as inspiration to write a newspaper article. They then read and analyse 'The Boscombe Valley Murder' before writing a comparison of the two stories.

Sherlock Holmes: short stories

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

To seek advice about her marriage to Percy Armitage.

To seek help solving the mysterious case around the death of her sister.

To report her stepfather's violence towards her.

In the story 'The Speckled Band', why has Helen Stoner come to Sherlock Holmes?

They remain the richest family in England.

What is true of the Roylott family who appear in the story 'The Speckled Band'?

In the story 'The Speckled Band', which character is described as engaging in "ferocious quarrels"?

It is the room in which her mother slept.

It is the room in which Dr Roylott used to sleep in.

What is interesting about the place where Helen is currently sleeping in 'The Speckled Band'?

They both heard it on their engagement day.

They both heard it on the day they moved into Stoke Moran.

They both had marriages planned when they started hearing it.

In the story 'The Speckled Band', what is similar about the circumstances of Helen and Julia upon hearing the whistle?

What did the police force initially focus on in the Victorian era?

He was a member of the police for many years.

He was meticulous in his approach to solving crimes.

He prevented more crimes in a skilful way.

Why was the character of Sherlock Holmes admired by many?

In the story 'The Speckled Band', what state is Helen in when she comes to Holmes?

Why is Helen shivering when she goes to see Holmes in 'The Speckled Band'?

In the story 'The Speckled Band', what does the simile "her eyes like those of a hunted animal" suggest about Helen?

She may want some advice about crime rates in her area.

She may need his help in solving a serious crime.

She wants to catch up after many years of not seeing each other.

What can we predict about the reason Helen has approached Holmes in 'The Speckled Band'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Making predictions about ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.