Beach Park
Block 8 Mysteries Assessment
Name
To answer the questions, read "The Adventure of the
Speckled Band” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Circle the correct answer.
Question #1:
Which characteristics best describe Helen Stoner?
A.
fearless and bold
B.
weak and shaky
C.
nervous and scared
D.
proud and arrogant
Question #2:
Which detail shows Holmes' observational skills?
A.
He knows Helen took the morning train.
B.
He sits in his chair with his eyes closed.
C.
He asks Helen to give precise details.
D.
The name Roylott sounds familiar to him.
Question #3:
Which characteristic describes Dr. Roylott?
A.
depressed and strange
B.
quiet and intelligent
C.
loving and generous
D.
shy and kind
Question #4:
Why is Helen seeking Holmes's help?
A.
to discover the cause of her sister's death
B.
to locate her stepfather
C.
to discover the cause of her mother's death
D.
to locate the gypsies
Question #5:
How did Helen know the doctor was still awake on the night her sister died?
A.
Helen's sister could smell his Indian cigar.
B.
Helen heard him whistle.
C.
Helen heard him lock the door.
D.
They were all awake discussing Julia's wedding.
Question #6:
When does Helen's sister hear the whistle?
A.
the dead of night
B.
whenever Helen comes to her room
C.
whenever the gypsies are around
D.
during the day
Question #7:
Who does Helen think is causing the whistling?
A.
the gypsies
B.
the cheetah
C.
her sister
D.
Dr. Roylott
Question #8:
What does Helen think caused her sister's death?
A.
fear and shock
B.
a whistle
C.
the matchbox
D.
the cheetah and baboon
Question #9:
Is this statement true or false?
There were marks of violence on Helen's sister after she died.
A.
false
B.
true
Question #10:
Before Helen's sister dies, in which direction does she point?
A.
toward the doctor's room
B.
toward her own bedroom
C.
outside where the gypsies are
D.
toward the speckled band
Question #11:
How does the author create suspense on the evening of
Helen's sister's death?
A.
wind and rain
B.
silence
C.
heavy snow
D.
sunlight

Beach Park
Block 8 Mysteries Assessment
Name
To answer the questions, read "The Adventure of the
Speckled Band” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Circle the correct answer.
Question #12:
Which choice is probably NOT a clue to solve the mystery?
A.
low whistle
B.
speckled band
C.
stump of match
D.
return train ticket
Question #13:
Choose the best definition for the capitalized word.
". . .afterward returned to England a MOROSE and disappointed man."
A.
happy
B.
depressed
C.
proud
D.
cheerful
Question #14:
Choose the best definition for the capitalized word.
"A vague feeling of IMPENDING misfortune impressed me."
A.
heavy
B.
sudden
C.
approaching
D.
leaving
Question #15:
Which detail is used in a flashback?
A.
the bedrooms of the manor house
B.
the poison
C.
the doctor's imprisonment
D.
the gypsies
Question #16:
Who is telling the story?
A.
Sherlock Holmes
B.
an outside narrator
C.
Helen
D.
Dr. Watson
Question #17:
Select the best answer.
What is the pace of most mystery books?
A.
medium
B.
slow
C.
fast
Question #18:
Is this statement true or false?
Mystery books have slow-paced plots.
A.
false
B.
true
Question #19:
Which is NOT an element of suspense used in the story?
A.
silence
B.
flashback
C.
clues
D.
darkness
Question #20:
Select the best answer.
What mystery was written by Zilpha Ketley Snyder?
A.
The Egypt Game
B.
Secret of the Nile
C.
Murder in Egypt
Question #21:
Select the best answer.
Encyclopedia Brown is a very popular mystery book series.
A.
true
B.
false

Beach Park
Block 8 Mysteries Assessment
Answer Key
1. C -nervous and scared
2. A -He knows Helen took the morning train.
3. A -depressed and strange
4. A -to discover the cause of her sister's death
5. A -Helen's sister could smell his Indian cigar.
6. A -the dead of night
7. A -the gypsies
8. A -fear and shock
9. A -false
10. A -toward the doctor's room
11. A -wind and rain
12. D -return train ticket
13. B -depressed
14. C -approaching
15. C -the doctor's imprisonment
16. D -Dr. Watson
17. C -fast
18. A -false
19. A -silence
20. A -The Egypt Game
21. A -true