Name: ___________________________________________ Hour: _______________
“The Red-Headed League”
Study Guide
1. Who wrote “The Red-Headed League?” __________________________________
2. Who is narrating the story? _____________________________________
3. What is the name of the client visiting with Sherlock Holmes at the onset of the story?
_______________________________________________________
4. Describe each of these characters (List key facts you learn about each of them):
Sherlock Holmes:
Dr. Watson:
Mr. Jabez Wilson:
5. How does Holmes know that Wilson is a Freemason?
6. What does Wilson have tattooed on his wrist? __________________________
7. What business does Jabez Wilson own? _____________________________
8. Who is Wilson’s assistant? ___________________________________
9. What is the assistant’s main fault?
10. Who founded the Red Headed League?
11. What are the hours Wilson is required to be at the Red-Headed League? ____________________
12. What happens to members who are not able to stay in the League offices the entire scheduled work
time?
13. What work is Wilson to do for the League?
14. What does Holmes mean when he says, “it is a three pipe problem?”
15. What was the true purpose of the Red-Headed League?
16. What is Spalding’s true identity?
17. How does the cliché “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” apply to this story?
18. List some of the clues that helped Holmes solve the mystery. What did you think of the solution to
the mystery? Was it a satisfying ending to the story?
19. Recognizing Character Traits: Any quality that is part of a character’s personality is a character trait.
Some character traits are essential to the development of a story. Others are not but may help make the
character true to life. For example, Holmes’ love of music does not help him solve the mystery, but it
helps you to feel you know him as a person. Name the character or characters in “The Red-Headed
League” that have these traits.
A. ruthlessness
B. honesty
C. genius
D. trust
E. egotism
F. simple-mindedness
20. Contrasting Characters’ Abilities: Both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson examine Mr. Wilson’s
appearance. From their observations, only Holmes reasons correctly to conclusions about Wilson’s past
activities.
1. What is the difference between their powers of observation?
2. What observations does Holmes make in Saxe-Coburg Square that Watson does not?
3. Give two examples to show that Holmes is a better observer than Watson.
4. Give an example of Holmes’ logical reasoning that Watson is unable to perform.