The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes

The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes Synopsis

A carefully abridged and levelled ELT Reader featuring the world's most famous detective. The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes includes two stories: The Red-Headed League and The Boscombe Valley Mystery for readers with A2-B1 CEFR level English proficiency.

Collins brings the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, to English language learners.

This reader has been carefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at the correct level for a pre-intermediate learner. This book is Level 2 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level 2 is equivalent to CEF level A2-B1 with a word count of 8,000 - 11,000 words.

This ELT Reader includes:

• Full audio of the book accessed securely via QR code
• Rich supplementary materials: character lists, cultural notes, comprehension exercises, reading discussion questions
• A glossary of the more difficult words
• Free online resources for students and teachers at https://collins.co.uk/ELT

The plot

The Red-Headed League

A man with bright red hair visits Holmes with a very strange story. He got a well-paid job copying words from a book - but only red-headed men could apply for the job.

The work was easy, and the money was good. But suddenly the job has disappeared, and the office is empty.

Why did someone want to give him this strange job? And why has it suddenly ended? Holmes realizes something criminal is happening - but what?

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

A young man is arrested for murdering his father near a lake. The police found him standing over the dead body, and many people heard them arguing.

Everyone thinks he is guilty - except his childhood friend, who begs Holmes to help prove his innocence.

Holmes and Watson travel to the countryside to investigate. But if the son didn't kill his father, then who did? And what did the dying man's last words really mean?

About Collins ELT Readers

Collins ELT Readers are divided into 7 levels:

Level 1 - elementary (A2)

Level 2 - pre-intermediate (A2-B1)

Level 3 - intermediate (B1)

Level 4 - upper- intermediate (B2)

Level 5 - upper-intermediate+ (B2+)

Level 6 - advanced (C1)

Level 7 - advanced+ (C2)

Each level is carefully graded to ensure that the learner both enjoys and benefits from their reading experience.