New
New
Year 7
Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
I can make inferences about John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’.
New
New
Year 7
Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
I can make inferences about John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- John Turner used to be a bushranger: an armed robber that stole gold.
- Some members of the public had sympathy towards bushrangers for defying the elite.
- John Turner’s description has many layers to it and thus many interpretations of his character.
- You can make good inferences by zooming in on key words and phrases from an extract.
Keywords
Decrepitude - In a state of being worn out due to age or neglect.
Craggy - If something is craggy, it is rugged.
Dignity - If you have dignity, you are worthy of respect or honour.
Inference - An inference is a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning.
Common misconception
Some students think that villains are one dimensional.
Villains have their own struggles.
Compare Turner to Dr. Roylott. How do they compare?
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Who is the perpetrator of Charles McCarthy's murder in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Alice Turner
James McCarthy
Q2.
What was John Turner's motive in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
he did not want Charles McCarthy to keep living on his land rent free
he wanted Charles McCarthy's fortune
Q3.
What is interesting about Charles McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
He was wealthy but lived as a pauper
He hated his son
Q4.
What is the difference between Julia Stoner and Charles McCarthy from 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', respectively?
Charles McCarthy is presented as more sympathetic than Julia Stoner
McCarthy had more sorrow upon his death than Julia Stoner
Q5.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what does John Turner say about himself that builds sympathy for him?
He killed McCarthy by accident
He was in love with McCarthy
Q6.
What influence does Turner say McCarthy had on him in 'The Boscome Valley Mystery'?
a hand on him
a charm over him
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What is decrepitude?
being worthy of respect or honour
in a rugged state
Q2.
What is a bushranger?
armed robbers that would steal silver
people who camped to harvest land that wasn't theirs
Q3.
Why did bushrangers sometimes receive public sympathy among the lower classes?
they were reclaiming gold they had lost
they were adventurous
Q4.
Which quote presents John Turner as ill and weak in 'The Boscome Valley Mystery'?
'grizzled hair, enormous limbs'
'craggy features'
Q5.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what is true of John Turner's presentation?
he is presented as pure evil
he is presented as pure victim
Q6.
Which quote matches the idea that Turner is presented as pitiable in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
'unusual strength of body'
'dignity and power'