Summary of the Story Detective No. 30
John was bored because his friend Billie was away, so he decided to play detective. He saw a man parking a car and followed him. The man acted suspiciously, entering a house and later coming out disguised. John noted the car's license plate number. The next day, John's father read about a burglary in that house and called the police after John shared what he saw. At the police station, John identified the thief, leading to the man's arrest. John received a $100 reward for his help.
Word Meaning
- Unhappy: Not happy; feeling sad.
- Interesting: Something that grabs attention or is fun to do.
- Zipper fastener: A device used to close clothes, bags, etc.
- Badge: A small piece of metal or plastic with words or symbols, worn to show who you are or what you do.
- Detective: A person who finds out information, especially to solve crimes.
- Thief: A person who steals things.
- Parked: Stopped and left a vehicle in a place.
- Engine: The part of a car that makes it move.
- Handbrake: A brake in a car that is used to keep it still when parked.
- Path: A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.
- License plate: A metal plate on a car with numbers and letters that identifies the car.
- Whiskers: Long hairs growing on the face of an animal or person.
- Suitcase: A large case with a handle used for carrying clothes and other things when traveling.
- Inspector: A police officer of high rank.
- Reward: Money or another gift given for doing something good or finding something.
- Jewellery: Decorative items like rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
- Break into: Enter a building by force, usually to steal something.
- Offering: Providing something to someone.
- Suddenly: Quickly and unexpectedly.
- Afraid: Feeling fear or worry.
- Seals: Stickers or stamps used to mark something.
- Muddy: Covered with or full of mud (wet earth).
- Roared: Made a very loud sound.
- Prove: Show something is true with evidence.
- Brains: Intelligence or mental ability.
- Uniform: Special clothes worn by all members of a group or organization.
- Policemen: Men who are members of the police force.
- Television: A device that receives broadcast signals and displays them on a screen.
- Neighbours: People who live near you.
- Shaking hands: Grasping someone's hand as a greeting or to show agreement.
Let's Infer
1. Rearrange the main events of the story in the order in which they happened.ANSWER:
- b - One day, John saw a man parking his car, and followed him into a shop.
- a - He saw the big-nosed man go around to the back of the house.
- g - A little later he saw a man with grey whiskers carry a suitcase out of the house.
- c - He noted down the number of the car.
- d - The next morning, John's father noticed a newspaper report on the burglary in Mr. Stone's house.
- f - John's father called up the police and asked them to come home.
- e - John's father took Billie and John to the police station.
- i - John identified the burglar at the police station.
- h - The police found the burglar after obtaining useful information from John.
- j - He received a reward of $100.
2. Do you agree with the following statements? Say Yes (Y) or No (N).
ANSWER:
- John was a full-time detective. No (N)
- Sticking a seal on the man's coat helped John notice that the man leaving Mr. Stone's house was the same man who entered it. Yes (Y)
- The man left the engine of his car running before entering the house because he wanted to make a quick getaway later. Yes (Y)
- The report that John's father read in the newspaper said that the man who burgled Mr. Stone's house had been caught. No (N)
- John's father asked the police to come home so that he could tell them who the burglar was. Yes (Y)
- Billie had already seen Tarzan but John hadn't. Yes (Y)
- John found it difficult to identify the burglar in the police station because there were other men standing with the burglar. No (N)
- The grey-haired gentleman who gave John $100 was Mr. Stone. Yes (Y)
Let's Discuss
Do you agree with the burglar’s statement?
- The burglar's statement is correct. John watched carefully and reported details. His help was important to catch the thief. Without him, the police would have struggled to find the suspect.
Which three words describe John best? And why?
- John is observant because he notices important details like the car's license plate. He is intelligent for using his observations to help the police. Additionally, he is careful in taking notes.
Qualities of a good detective:
- Observant: Noticing and remembering details that might be important for solving a case.
- Intelligent: Using reasoning and analysis to piece together clues and understand the case.
- Patient: Taking the time to thoroughly investigate and follow up on leads without rushing.
- Careful: Pays attention to details and ensures accuracy in collecting and reporting information.
Extra Questions and Answers for Practice
Why was John unhappy at the beginning of the story?
- John was unhappy because his friend Billie had gone to the dentist with his mother, leaving John alone with nothing interesting to do.
What idea made John brighten up?
- John's face brightened when he remembered his Detective No. 30 badge. He decided to play detective and follow a thief.
What unusual action did the man take with his car?
- The man started his car engine, pulled up the handbrake, and then got out, leaving the engine running. He then quickly walked to Mr. Stone's house and went around to the back.
Why did John think the man who came out of Mr. Stone's house was different from the man who went in?
- John thought the man was different because the man who came out had grey whiskers and wore a grey cap, while the man who went in had a smooth face, a big nose, and wore a hat.
What did John do to identify the car the man drove?
- John carefully noted the license plate number of the car and wrote it down on a piece of paper.
How did John’s father react when John told him about the man?
- John's father was initially skeptical but decided to call the police when John told him everything he had seen.
What key piece of evidence did John provide to the police to help them identify the thief?
- John provided the police with the license plate number of the car, which was dark green and muddy.
How did the policemen verify John's story at the police station?
- The policemen verified John's story by asking him to identify the man he had followed. John pointed out the man with the big nose and then confirmed it was the same man by finding the red seal he had stuck on the man’s coat.
What was the outcome for John and Billie at the end of the story?
- John and Billie were praised for their clever detective work, and John received a hundred-dollar reward for helping to catch the thief.
