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IELTSMaterial.com 
Section 2
 
 
Instructions to follow 
•
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26 which are based on Reading 
Passage 2 
 
Sherlock Holmes
 
The most sharp-minded detective ever
 
A.
 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a British author, created Sherlock Holmes, a fictional private 
detective. Holmes, referring to himself as a “consulting detective” in the stories, is well
-
known for his proficiency with his observation, inference, forensic science, and logical 
reasoning that borders on the incredible when investigating cases for various clients. 
Almost all stories were set in the Victorian eras between 1880 and 1914 and were 
narrated by the character of Holmes’ friend, Dr. John H. Watson, who frequen
tly joined 
Holmes during his investigations. He also shared a flat with Holmes at 221B Baker Street, 
London, where many episodes began.
B.
 
Holmes’s clients vary from poor pawnbrokers and governesses to wealthy aristocrats and 
businessmen in Europe. In the beginning, he was only recognised in select groups but 
cooperated with Scotland Yard, a police agency. His successful work and the publication 
of Watson’s stories, however, enhanced Holmes’ reputation and made him an extremely 
famous detective. So many people called for his assistance instead of the police, so that, 
according to Watson, Holmes had “overwhelming practice” by 1895. Police outside 
London asked Holmes for his help if available. Even a Prime Minister and the King of 
Bohemia came to 221B Baker Stre
et and requested Holmes’s assistance in person. Some 
clients offered doubled pay, which implied that wealthy clients paid Holmes more than 

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