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Sherlock Holmes' Tools

Last updated over 6 years ago

6 questions

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Question 1

1.

Read the section "Knowledge Alone Is Not Enough." Select the paragraph that suggests Holmes' use of technology put him ahead of his time.

Dr. Robert Ing, a scientist and a Sherlock Holmes scholar, has closely read Doyle’s stories. Ing has his own list of skills that Holmes demonstrates a working knowledge of: chemistry, bloodstains, plants, the rocks and earth, the human body, law, secret codes, fingerprinting, document examination and medicine, among others.

But knowledge by itself is not enough. Holmes had to put these skills to use to find and understand clues. He relied on the visual technologies of the time: a magnifying glass and a microscope. By today’s standards, these tools, of course, are not advanced. But in Holmes' original time, they were on the cutting edge, and the ones he used were incredibly exact and well made.

In his paper “The Art of Forensic Detection and Sherlock Holmes,” Ing deduced Holmes would have most likely used a 10 power silver and chrome magnifying glass and a brass three-legged monocular optical microscope manufactured by Powell & Lealand. The brands for these tools are never mentioned in any story. Ing, though, notes they were the most popular at the time.

Question 2

2.

PART A: Which section of the article highlights the idea that Holmes trained his mind to solve mysteries?

"Scientific Knowledge And Deduction" 

"Knowledge Alone Is Not Enough" 

"A Doctor's Choice"

"Expanding His View Of The World" 

Question 3

3.

PART B: What evidence from the text best supports this answer?

 As an icon for people’s rapidly expanding view of the world, Sherlock Holmes was the most modern of modern men.

 But knowledge by itself is not enough. Holmes had to put these skills to use to find and understand clues. He relied on the visual technologies of the time: a magnifying glass and a microscope.

 Holmes’ deductions were the product of a keenly trained mind. Holmes applied the scientific knowledge that he had to solve mysteries.

 Surely Holmes would only have the most trustworthy microscope. 

Question 4

4.

PART A: Which detail BEST reflects the main goal of Robert Ing?

 to understand how Holmes solved mysteries 

 to list all of the skills that Holmes used in his stories 

 to highlight how Holmes invented the magnifying glass 

 to determine how Holmes used tools in his work 

Question 5

5.

PART B: What TWO pieces of evidence from the text best support Ing’s goal?

 Dr. Robert Ing, a scientist and a Sherlock Holmes scholar, has closely read Doyle’s stories 

 Ing has his own list of skills that Holmes demonstrates a working knowledge of: chemistry, bloodstains, plants, the rocks and earth, the human body, law, secret codes, fingerprinting, document examination and medicine, among others. 

 Holmes had to put these skills to use to find and understand clues. He relied on the visual technologies of the time: a magnifying glass and a microscope. 

 By today’s standards, these tools, of course, are not advanced. But in Holmes' original time, they were on the cutting edge, and the ones he used were incredibly exact and well made. 

 The brands for these tools are never mentioned in any story. Ing, though, notes they were the most popular at the time.

Question 6

6.

Which detail would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

 Sherlock Holmes is probably the most famous fictional detective ever. 

 Dr. Robert Ing, a scientist and a Sherlock Holmes scholar, has closely read Doyle’s stories. 

 Many microscopes were redesigned and improved over the years. 

 He relied on the visual technologies of the time: a magnifying glass and a microscope. 