Mystery Stories and the Speckled Band - Homework Tasks
One task must be completed each week. You may choose which task you complete, although
some of the tasks will need to be completed later than others, once the class work to
support has been covered. The G+T tasks can be completed by any student, but are
particularly suited to those on the G+T register or students working at higher levels. Tasks
can be word processed or handwritten.
1) Create a timeline about Victorian Britain. It should contain what YOU consider to be
the 10 most important events or developments of the age.
2) Write the first and last paragraph of a mystery story entitled, ‘The Silence’. Use a
wide vocabulary and include a range of sentence structures, language techniques and
punctuation.
3) There are many stories written in the mystery genre. Why do you think that this is
such a popular genre for novels, television series and film? Write half a page
explaining your views.
4) Select a Victorian author and write a short biography of this person.
5) Write a dialogue of about one page between two characters that demonstrates that
there is tension between them. Concentrate on the use of adverbs to describe their
speech and responses. Avoid using the word “said”.
6) Create a character for your own mystery story. Draw him/her and label with points
about his/her appearance and character.
7) Design a front cover for the story of “The Speckled Band”. Write a short account
justifying your design. This should be related to the story.
G+T Tasks
1) Write a detailed book review for a mystery story that you have read. You should
explore areas such as plot, characters, setting and atmosphere. You can also include
your own opinion of the book and discuss who else would enjoy reading it.
2) “Human beings enjoy feeling scared.” Write a discussion of around 300 words
outlining your views about this statement. Use the design of your controversial issues
essay as a template. You should have a clear argument for and against, and a
conclusion.
3) Do you believe that there should be cinema ratings for horror films? Write a short
persuasive speech either for or against this question.