NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

This worksheet provides NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter The Adventure of the Three Garridebs from the Woven Words textbook. This chapter presents a detective story involving Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as they investigate a mysterious proposal related to three men with the same surname. The story combines suspense, mystery, and logical reasoning as Holmes uncovers the truth behind a seemingly unusual inheritance plan.

This worksheet helps students understand the important ideas, characters, and clues in the story. It also provides clear and accurate NCERT Solutions so that students can check their answers and strengthen their understanding of the chapter. By studying this worksheet, students learn how careful observation, logical thinking, and attention to detail help solve complex mysteries.

Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes

This chapter is a short detective story that focuses on Sherlock Holmes’ investigation into a strange proposal involving three men with the surname Garrideb. An American lawyer claims that a wealthy man has left a large inheritance that can only be claimed if three adult men with the same name are found.

However, Holmes soon begins to notice several suspicious clues in the lawyer’s story. Through observation and reasoning, Holmes discovers that the lawyer is actually a dangerous criminal who created the entire story as part of a plan to gain access to a hidden cellar beneath Nathan Garrideb’s room. The cellar contains a counterfeit printing press and forged banknotes connected to an earlier criminal.

The story highlights themes such as intelligence, careful observation, crime detection, and the strong friendship between Holmes and Watson.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

• Understanding a detective story and its sequence of events  
• Vocabulary development through expressions from the story  
• Critical thinking and logical reasoning through Holmes’ investigation  
• Analysis of characters and motives in the story  
• Discussion and appreciation of the narrative style and themes  

How to use these NCERT solutions?

Students should first read the chapter carefully and try to answer the questions on their own. After attempting the questions, they can use these NCERT Solutions to check their responses and understand the correct explanations.

Parents and teachers can also use these solutions to guide students while discussing the story. The answers follow the same order and structure as the NCERT exercises, which makes it easier for students to revise the chapter and prepare for assessments.

Student tips & learning tricks

• Pay close attention to small clues in the story, as they often reveal important details.  
• Notice how Sherlock Holmes observes language, behaviour, and inconsistencies.  
• While answering questions, explain the reasoning behind Holmes’ conclusions clearly.  
• Remember that detective stories often hide important clues in ordinary details.  

Why NCERT solutions are important?

NCERT Solutions help students understand the chapter more clearly and accurately. They follow the NCERT pattern and ensure that answers meet the expectations of school exams and assessments.

By studying NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English chapters, students develop strong comprehension skills and learn how to explain ideas clearly. These solutions also help students revise important concepts and gain confidence while answering literature questions.

Complete answer key – NCERT solutions

Understanding the text

1  
Holmes noticed several clues which showed that the story was false. The American lawyer’s clothes were worn and frayed, which did not match his claim of being newly arrived and wealthy. There were no advertisements in the “agony columns” of the newspapers, though he claimed to have published them. The Birmingham advertisement used American spellings such as “plows,” “buckboards,” and “Artesian wells,” which was unusual for an English firm. Holmes also discovered that there was no Dr. Lysander Starr as mentioned by the lawyer. Finally, at Scotland Yard, Holmes identified John Garrideb as “Killer” Evans, a dangerous criminal. These clues proved that the entire story was a trick.

2  
John Garrideb invented the story in order to lure Nathan Garrideb away from his rooms at 136 Little Ryder Street. He wanted access to the hidden cellar beneath the room, where a counterfeit printing press and forged banknotes were stored. The story of three Garridebs and a large inheritance was only a clever plan to empty the room so that he could retrieve the illegal money and equipment.

3  
John Garrideb did not want Holmes involved because he feared that Holmes would uncover the truth. As a skilled detective, Holmes could easily expose the false story and discover his real identity. Including Holmes increased the risk of his plan failing. Therefore, he was angry when Nathan Garrideb consulted Holmes.

4  
Rodger Presbury was a well-known forger and counterfeiter. He had operated a secret printing press for producing fake banknotes. John Garrideb, whose real name was Killer Evans, had once shot Presbury. After Presbury’s death, the hidden printing press and forged notes remained beneath the room in Little Ryder Street. Evans wanted to recover the counterfeit money, which is why he created the Garrideb story.

5  
Holmes realized that the Birmingham advertisement was fake and meant only to send Nathan Garrideb away from his rooms. He concluded that Evans’ real interest was in the house itself. Holmes suspected that something illegal was hidden there, especially after learning about Presbury’s connection with the same address. Although he did not know the exact details, he strongly suspected criminal activity and went prepared with a revolver. He did not know for certain that he would find a counterfeit press, but he expected to uncover something illegal.

Talking about the text

1  
This comment shows the deep affection and loyalty between Holmes and Watson. Although Holmes often appears cold and unemotional, he truly cares for Watson. When Watson is wounded, Holmes becomes deeply concerned and emotional. This moment reveals that beneath Holmes’ calm and analytical exterior lies a loyal and loving friend. Their relationship is based on trust, friendship, and mutual respect.

2  
Even intelligent criminals make mistakes. In this story, Killer Evans tried to create a perfect plan, but small details such as American spellings, false claims, and inconsistencies in his story exposed him. Holmes carefully observed these clues and solved the case. This shows that no matter how clever a criminal may be, there are always traces that reveal the truth.

Appreciation

1  
Dr. Watson narrates the story in the first person  
The story begins with the strange proposal involving three men with the same surname, Garrideb, and a large inheritance.  
Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Nathan Garrideb, and John Garrideb (Killer Evans) are introduced.  
Holmes investigates the truth behind the inheritance story, notices inconsistencies, and discovers Evans’ criminal background.  
Holmes and Watson hide in Nathan’s room and catch Evans red-handed while he tries to access the hidden cellar. Evans shoots Watson.  
The hidden counterfeit press is discovered, Evans is arrested, and the mystery is solved. However, Nathan Garrideb’s dreams are shattered.

2  
The story contains subtle humour, especially in Holmes’ witty remarks and his calm reactions to unusual situations. The idea of finding three men with the same rare surname for an inheritance is itself slightly comic. Holmes’ playful comments and the unusual situation add a light humorous tone to the mystery.

3  
Holmes often asked seemingly unrelated questions, such as about clothing, advertisements, house agents, and previous tenants. These details appeared unimportant at first but later helped him connect the facts. For example, the American spelling in the advertisement, the history of the previous tenant, and the criminal record of Evans were all discovered through such digressions. These small observations ultimately led to solving the mystery.

Language work

1 (a)  
The American words included:  
plows, buckboards, Artesian, wells  

These spellings showed that the advertisement was American in style.

1 (b)  
Words spelt differently in American and British English

plow – plough  
color – colour  
center – centre  
defense – defence  
theater – theatre  
traveler – traveller  
program – programme  
check – cheque

2  

“with a fine-toothed comb”  
It means to search very carefully and thoroughly, examining every small detail. Here, it shows that he searched everywhere very carefully but could not find any Garrideb.

“covert for putting up a bird” and “cock pheasant”  
These expressions are taken from hunting. A “covert” is a hiding place for hunters, and a “cock pheasant” is a noticeable bird. Figuratively, Holmes means that newspaper advertisements are his favourite place to look for clues, and he would never miss such an obvious clue.

“There is no bolt-hole for you in this country.”  
A “bolt-hole” means a place to escape or hide. Figuratively, it means that there is no place for the criminal to hide or escape in this country.

Suggested reading

Read the stories The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle, Tales of Adventure and Medical Life by Arthur Conan Doyle and explore thrill and adventure.

“his castle in the air fell down”  
A “castle in the air” means unrealistic dreams or hopes. It means that when Nathan Garrideb’s dreams of becoming rich were shattered, he was completely devastated and could not recover from the shock.

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