Question

the first short story about the brilliant detective appeared in the strand magazine in 1891, and with each new installment, readership increased. despite the stories commercial success, however, conan doyle began to grow tired of sherlock holmes. in 1893, he decided to end the series by giving his detective a heroic death in the story \the final problem.\ the tale devastated readers, prompting major backlash. both doyle and the strand magazine were bombarded with angry letters, and so many people cancelled their magazine subscriptions that the publication nearly had to shut down. eventually, the author yielded to public pressure: he brought the detective back to life in \the empty house,\ which detailed how holmes had simply faked his own death.

although sir arthur conan doyle created the fictional sherlock holmes in the late 1800s, the character is still popular today.

like many writers, sir arthur conan doyle took inspiration from real life when creating fictional characters, including sherlock holmes.

in sir arthur conan doyles sherlock holmes stories, the detective is presented as opposite in many ways from his partner, dr. watson.

beginning in the late nineteenth century, sir arthur conan doyles detective stories featuring sherlock holmes attracted an eager fan base.

Explanation:

Assuming the problem is to find the best topic sentence for the paragraph (about Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, their popularity, and the reaction to Holmes' "death" and return), we analyze each option:

Option 1: "Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created the fictional Sherlock Holmes in the late 1800s, the character is still popular today."

• The paragraph focuses on the events around the stories' publication (1891 - 1893 - and later "The Empty House"), not the character's modern popularity. Eliminate.

Option 2: "Like many writers, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle took inspiration from real life when creating fictional characters, including Sherlock Holmes."

• The paragraph has no mention of inspiration from real life. Eliminate.

Option 3: "In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, the detective is presented as opposite in many ways from his partner, Dr. Watson."

• The paragraph does not discuss Holmes and Watson's relationship. Eliminate.

Option 4: "Beginning in the late nineteenth century, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories featuring Sherlock Holmes attracted an eager fan base."

• The paragraph talks about the stories' appearance in The Strand Magazine in 1891, readership growth, the reaction to Holmes' "death," and the return. This option introduces the time period and the fan base, which aligns with the content (readership, backlash from fans, etc.).

The paragraph details the publication, popularity, and fan reaction to Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. The option "Beginning in the late nineteenth century, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories featuring Sherlock Holmes attracted an eager fan base" introduces the time period and fan interest, matching the paragraph’s focus on readership, fan backlash, and the stories’ success. Other options discuss unrelated topics (modern popularity, real - life inspiration, Holmes - Watson dynamic).

Answer:

Beginning in the late nineteenth century, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories featuring Sherlock Holmes attracted an eager fan base.