The opening scene of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" moves the plot forward by introducing the main characters, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as detectives. Their interaction sets the stage for the mystery to unfold, as they examine the stick left by Dr. Mortimer and begin to engage with a potential problem that will lead to future investigations. This establishes the dynamic between Holmes and Watson and introduces the theme of observation and deduction that is central to the story.
Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when he was up all night, was seated at the breakfast table. I stood upon the hearth-rug and picked up the stick which our visitor had left behind him the night before. It was a fine, thick piece of wood, bulbous-headed, of the sort which is known as a “Penang lawyer.” Just under the head was a broad silver band nearly an inch across. “To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H.,” was engraved upon it, with the date “1884.” It was just such a stick as the old-fashioned family practitioner used to carry—dignified, solid, and reassuring.
“Well, Watson, what do you make of it?”
Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I had given him no sign of my occupation.
“How did you know what I was doing? I believe you have eyes in the back of your head.”
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Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
How does the opening scene move the plot forward?
(1 point)
Responses
The scene creates an atmosphere of tension in London during a different time period.
The scene creates an atmosphere of tension in London during a different time period. - no response given
The scene introduces the main characters, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as detectives.
The scene introduces the main characters, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as detectives. - no response given
The scene has Holmes and Watson encounter a possible problem with the arrival of Dr. Mortimer.
The scene has Holmes and Watson encounter a possible problem with the arrival of Dr. Mortimer. - no response given
The scene provides a resolution when Holmes deduces accurate details about Dr. Mortimer.
The scene provides a resolution when Holmes deduces accurate details about Dr. Mortimer. - incorrect
Incorrect
While Holmes does deduce details about Dr. Mortimer, a possible problem is injected into the story that needs to be resolved, so it does not provide a resolution.
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