Page 1
Questions
1. Where is the scene set in this passage?
2. What object is being discussed between Holmes and Watson?
3. Who found the hat and the goose?
4. When were the hat and goose found?
5. What happened to the man before Peterson could help him?
6. What did the man drop while being harassed?
7. What did Peterson find tied to the bird’s left leg?
8. What was written on the card that Peterson found?
9. What initials were found inside the lining of the hat?
10. What does Watson think about the connection of the hat?
11. Why does Holmes deny that it is related to a crime?
12. What clue does Holmes say they have to find the owner’s identity?
13. What does Holmes ask Watson to do with the hat?
14. According to Holmes, what methods does he use to gather information?
Page No 2
Questions
1. What does Watson say after inspecting the hat thoroughly?
2. How does Holmes respond to Watson’s observation?
3. What does Holmes infer about the owner of the hat while gazing at it?
4. According to Holmes, what may account for the fact that the man’s wife
has ceased to love him?
5. Why does Watson think Holmes is joking?
6. What does Holmes deduce about the quality of the hat?
7. What evidence shows that the hat once belonged to a rich man?
8. What does Holmes notice about the condition of the hat?
9. How did the owner try to conceal stains upon the felt?
10. What does Holmes conclude about the man’s present financial condition?
11. Why does Holmes think the man’s wife has ceased to love him?
12. What is Holmes afraid of when he sees the state of the hat?
13. What sudden event interrupts Holmes and Watson’s discussion?
14. What does Peterson rush in to report to Holmes?
15. What object does Peterson display, and where was it found?
16. How does Holmes react on seeing the blue stone?
17. What does Holmes say the stone is?
18. Who does the stone belong to, according to Holmes?
19. What is the reward for finding the stolen stone?
20. Where was the blue carbuncle lost?
21. On which date was the crime committed?
22. Who was accused of the crime?
23. What was John Horner’s profession?
24. What note does Holmes write at the end of the passage?
25. At what time and place can Mr Henry Baker reclaim the goose and hat?
Page 3
1. Who does Holmes ask to go to the advertising agency, and why?
2. What does Holmes instruct to buy on the way back?
3. Who visits Holmes’ apartment in the evening?
4. How is Mr. Henry Baker described in the text?
5. What question does Holmes ask Mr. Baker about the hat?
6. What happened to the bird that Mr. Baker lost?
7. What does Holmes offer Mr. Baker instead of the lost bird?
8. What word is handwritten near the text, and what does it mean?
9. How many characters are shown in the illustration?
10. What do you learn about Holmes’ nature from his actions in this scene?
Page 4
1. What does Holmes offer to return to Mr. Baker apart from the goose?
2. From whom did Henry Baker get the goose?
3. Where do Holmes and Watson go to trace the source of the goose?
4. How does Breckinridge react when Holmes asks about the geese?
5. What does Breckinridge give Holmes to show where the geese came from?
6. Who is Mrs. Oakshott?
7. What is the address mentioned for Mrs. Oakshott?
8. What does the term akimbo mean as explained in the glossary?
9. Who overhears Holmes’ conversation with Breckinridge and offers help?
10. According to Holmes, how were the geese traced from Mrs. Oakshott to
Mr. Baker?
Extra Thinking Question:
Why does Holmes mention the legs, feathers, and crop of Mr. Baker’s goose?
(Hint: to see if Baker wants any leftover parts of his goose back, which also
helps Holmes gauge Baker’s interest in the goose itself.)
Page No 5
Short Answer Questions:
1. Who told Ryder about the Blue Carbuncle?
2. Why does Holmes say the temptation of sudden wealth was too much for
Ryder?
3. What does Ryder do when Holmes questions him?
4. How did Ryder plan to hide the stolen stone?
5. What happened when Ryder pushed the stone into the goose’s throat?
6. Why could Ryder not find the stone later?
7. Who had already bought all the geese from Mrs. Oakshott’s house?
8. What does Holmes mean by “commuting a felony”?
9. Why does Holmes decide not to hand Ryder over to the police?
10. What reason does Holmes give for showing mercy to Ryder?
Higher Thinking Questions:
11. What does the phrase “my heart turned to water” mean in this context?
12. What qualities of Holmes are revealed in this scene?
13. Do you agree with Holmes’ decision to forgive Ryder? Why or why not?
