Study Guide Packet
Holes by Louis Sachar

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Below is a study packet, which includes questions and vocabulary for the novel. You are welcome to use the packet and reformat it to fit your needs. I would simply ask that you retain the copyright notice at the end.

Holes by Louis Sachar                                               NAME__________________

Chapters 1-6                                                               Date_________Per________           

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 1-6

 

Hovers (p. 3)

 

 

 

 

Stifling (p. 6)

 

 

 

 

Vast (p. 8)

 

 

 

 

Perseverance (p. 8)

 

 

 

 

Desolate (p. 11)

 

 

 

 

Sanitary (p. 19)

 

 

 

 

Spigot (p. 20)

 

 

 

Prospect (p. 22)

 

 

 

 

Retrieved (p. 23)

 

 

Chapter 1

Answer the following questions based upon the reading.

 

1.         Describe Camp Green Lake and the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.         Who owns the hammock?

 

 

 

 

 

3.         What kind of camp must this be?

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.         Why do you think they dig holes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

5.         What did Stanley have with him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.         Who does Stanley blame for anything that goes wrong?

 

 

 

 

 

7.         What’s Stanley’s favorite part of the song his father sang to him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.         What was unique about Stanley’s name?

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.         What bad luck befell the first Stanley Yelnats and who was responsible?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.     What was Stanley’s father trying to invent?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

11.     How long were they on the bus?

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.     The man at the desk has a tattoo of a ______________ on his arm.

 

 

13.     He had been eating ___________________________.

 

 

14.     The man walked around the desk to Stanley and said, “My name is ______________________________.”

 

 

15.     Stanley was given clothing that smelled like _________________.

 

 

16.     What are the requirements for Stanley to do each day of the week?  Be specific.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.     If Stanley finds anything interesting, what is he to do with it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.     (What do YOU think?)  Why does he have to report what he finds?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.     Why don’t the kids run away?

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.     (What do YOU think?)  What kind of person is Mr. Sir?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

21.     Who is the only person Stanley needs to worry about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.     The first two boys Stanley meets are nicknamed _____________and

 

_______________.

 

 

 

 

23.     Who used to sleep in Stanley’s cot?

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.     (What do YOU think?)  What kind of person is Mr. Pendanski?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.  Why do they call one boy Zero?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

  1.  How long were they allowed to shower?

 

 

 

 

  1.  Who was Clyde “Sweet Feet” Livingston?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Livingston donated his sneakers to whom?

 

 

 

 

  1. How did Stanley get the sneakers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What was Stanley’s father trying to invent?

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Why was Stanley’s trial delayed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What were the shoes worth?

 

Holes by Louis Sachar                                  

Chapters 7-14 (pgs. 26-68)               

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 7-14

 

Defective (p. 26)

 

 

 

 

Perimeter (p. 28)

 

 

 

 

Descendants (p. 31)

 

 

 

 

Deftly (p. 32)

 

 

 

 

Compacted (p. 34)

 

 

 

 

Excavated (p. 34)

 

 

 

 

Reluctantly (p. 34)

 

 

 

 

Grimaced (p. 39)

 

 

 

Predatory (p. 42)

 

Upholstery (p. 44)

 

 

 

 

Radiated (p. 45)

 

 

 

 

Glisten (p. 60)

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

33.             What did the lukewarm breakfast cereal smell like?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34.             X-Ray had his own special shovel.  What about it did he say was different?

 

 

 

 

35.             Why did he want this shovel?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36.             What are the boys to do if they find something unusual or interesting while digging?

 

 

 

37.             What happens to them after they report it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.             What did Igor Barkov offer to Myra Menke’s father for her hand in marriage?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39.             What did Madame Zeroni offer Elya?

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.             What would happen to Elya and his family if he didn’t do as Madame Zeroni asked?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41.             Why didn’t Elya carry his pig up the mountain on the day of Maya’s 15th birthday?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42.             Which pig weighed the most?

 

 

 

 

 

43.             What does it tell you about Stanley when his hands get badly blistered while digging his first hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.             (What do YOU think?) Why did Elya tell Myra to marry Igor?

 

 

 

 

 

 

45.             As Elya sailed to America, what did he remember?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46.             Who finished digging a hole first?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47.             What did each boy do as he finished digging his hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

48.             What kind of bad luck did Elya have in America?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49.             Elya’s wife asked him to sing the  _____________ ______________.

 

 

50.             Why did Sarah name their baby Stanley?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51.             (What do YOU think?) Why did Stanley feel proud when he finished digging his hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

52.             How many yellow spots are on the yellow-spotted lizard?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.             If you’ve ever been close enough to see the yellow spots, you are probably__________________.

 

 

54.             Where do the lizards like to live?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55.             Check what lizards like to eat:

 

 

_____small animals                      _____people

_____badgers                                _____sun flower seeds

_____cactus thorns                       _____snakes

_____other lizards                        _____insects

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

56.             Why didn’t Stanley use soap?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.             Which hole is the hardest to dig and why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.             Who is the Caveman?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59.             (What do YOU think?)  Why would the boys wreck the one room where they could enjoy themselves?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60.             (What do YOU think?)  Why did Stanley not write the truth to his mother?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

61.             How did Stanley dig his hole differently than yesterday?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62.  What did he find in his hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

63. What did X-Ray tell Stanley to do if he found something?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64.   Why should he do this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65.   (What do YOU think?)  Would you agree to do this?  Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

66.   What job suggestion did Jose (Magnet) like best?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67.   What person is responsible for Stanley being at Camp Green Lake?

 

 

 

 

 

 

68.   (What do YOU think?) Why did Zero say he liked to dig holes when asked what he wanted to do with his life?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 13

 

69.   Describe what Stanley found in the pile of dirt from his hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70.   What was written on the heart?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

71.   What did Stanley decide to do with the item?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 14

 

72.   Describe the Warden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73.   How was X-Ray rewarded for finding the gold tube?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74.   What did the Warden instruct Mr. Pendanski to do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes by Louis Sachar                                                          

Chapters 15-20 (pgs. 69-91)                                     

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 15-20

 

Paranoid (p. 71)

 

 

 

Gazed (p. 71)

 

 

 

Excess (p. 73)

 

 

 

Evict (p. 75)

 

 

 

Throbbing (p. 80)

 

 

 

Callused (p. 80)

 

 

 

Penetrating (p. 82)

 

 

 

Moisture (p. 82)

 

 

 

Hispanic (p. 84)

 

 

 

Toxic (p. 90)

 

 

 

Chapter 15

 

75.         How did they think the Warden knew their names?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

76.         What realization did they come to about digging holes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 16

 

77.         Name one of the famous authors Stanley thought of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78.         Who sent Stanley a letter?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79.         Who did Stanley’s mother feel sorry for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 17

 

80.         What did the Warden do to armpit when he returned from the bathroom break?  Answer in detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81.         Why did Zigzag hit Stanley?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 18

 

82.         In Stanley’s letter to his mom, what did he say he was doing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83.         What did Zero ask Stanley to teach him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 19

 

84.         What was Squid’s reason for the sniffing noises he made at night?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

85.         What did Magnet “steal” from Mr. Sir?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86.         Who confessed to stealing them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 20

 

87.         What’s the Warden’s secret ingredient in her nail polish?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes by Louis Sachar                                              

Chapters 21-30 (pgs. 92-140)                                   

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 21-30

 

Refuge (p. 93)

 

 

 

Expand (p. 96)

 

 

 

Defiance (p. 96)

 

 

 

Writhing (p. 99)

 

 

 

Incurable (p. 102)

 

 

 

Spewed (p. 103)

 

 

 

 

Grotesque (p. 105)

 

 

 

 

Concoctions (p. 108)

 

 

 

Quivering (p. 111)

 

 

 

Jagged (p. 118)

 

 

 

Delirious (p. 128)

 

 

 

Depriving (p. 131)

 

 

 

Chapter 21

 

88.         How did Stanley’s great grandfather say he had lived so long?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89.         When Stanley returned to his hole, what did he discover?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 22

 

90.         As Stanley was teaching Zero the alphabet, what did he discover Zero was good at?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

91.         Where had Stanley seen the gold tube before?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92.         Who did he think the initials might stand for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 23

 

93.         One hundred and ten years ago at Green Lake they would have a 4th of July picnic.  Who would win the prize for the best spiced peaches?

 

 

 

 

 

94.         What was Katherine Barlow’s occupation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

95.         Why did people call Charles Walker, “Trout?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96.         What did he have in common with Clyde Livingston?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97.         What did Katherine Barlow refuse from Trout?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 24

 

98.         How did Mr. Sir react when asked about his face?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99.         Who did Stanley tell about Mr. Sir’s face?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.     What happened when Mr. Sir filled Stanley’s canteen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 25

 

101.     One hundred and ten years ago when people went to the doctor, they’d also go to see Sam.  What did he sell?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102.     Who is Mary Lou?

 

 

 

 

 

 

103.     If a person ate nothing but raw onions, how long could they live?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

104.     When Sam and Katherine kissed, Hattie Parker said, “God will punish you.”  Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 26

 

105.     (What do YOU think?)  Why didn’t the children show up to school the next morning?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 27

 

106.     What did Mr. Sir put in Stanley’ water?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

107.  Zero’s real name is ___________________   ____________________.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 28

 

108.  After ________ years Kate Barlow returned to Green Lake.

 

 

109.          Trout came to Kate’s cabin and demanded _____________.

 

 

110.          Describe Kate’s boots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111.          How did Kate die?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 29

 

112.          What did Stanley see in the distance when the lightning lit up in the horizon?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 30

 

113.          Whose birthday is it?

 

 

 

 

114.          How many days had Stanley been at Camp Green Lake?

 

 

 

 

 

115.          How had Stanley changed since he arrived?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116.          How did Mr. Pendanski stop the fight?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117.  Discuss, thoroughly, what happened to Zero.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes by Louis Sachar                                              

Chapters 31-40 (pgs. 141-181)                                 

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 31-40

 

Cross-references (p. 144)

 

 

 

Fidgeting (p. 145)

 

 

 

 

Drummed (p. 146)

 

 

 

 

Systematic (p. 150)

 

 

 

 

Grimly (p. 154)

 

 

 

 

Sheepishly (p. 155)

 

 

 

 

Parched (p. 157)

 

 

 

 

Gradually (p. 164)

 

 

 

 

Trembled (p. 164)

 

Precipice (p. 171)

 

 

 

 

Comprehend (p. 175)

 

 

 

 

Intertwined (p. 177)

 

 

 

Chapter 31

 

118.          Who was Stanley most angry with and why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

119.          What did the camp officials decide to do about Zero?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 32

 

120.          The new kid’s nickname is ______________________.

 

 

 

121.          Why is he at Camp Green Lake?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122.          Where did Stanley drive to when he stole the truck?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 33

 

123.          As Stanley continued walking, he noticed something on the ground.  What was it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 34

 

124.          What is a mirage?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

125.          Describe what Stanley found on the dried up lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 35

 

126.          Zero’s face looked like …….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127.          What is sploosh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 36

 

128.          Who did the boys think Mary Lou was?

 

 

 

 

 

 

129.          What activity helped Zero to keep going?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130.          What worried Stanley the most?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131.          (What do YOU think?)  Would you have gone on this adventure?  Or… Would you have headed back to camp?  Why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 37

 

132.          Why wouldn’t Stanley stop and rest?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

133.          What is the significance of being around weeds and bugs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

134.          What do you think is going to happen to the boys?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 38

 

135.          What was the odor Stanley smelled?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

136.          After digging into the mud, Stanley pulled out a ____________.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 39

 

137.          What did Zero confess to Stanley?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 40

 

138.          What cured little Becca?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

139.          How long had Stanley and Zero slept off and on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140.          Where did Stanley find the shovel?

 

 

 

 

 

 

141.          Is this where he thought he left it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holes by Louis Sachar                                                          

Chapters 41-50 (pgs. 182-233)                                             

 

Vocabulary for Chapters 41-50

 

Murky (p. 182)

 

 

 

 

Sundial (p. 185)

 

 

 

 

Glittering (p. 187)

 

 

 

 

Destiny (p. 187)

 

 

 

 

Inexplicable (p. 190)

 

 

 

 

Raspy (p. 193)

 

 

 

 

Abruptly (p. 195)

 

 

 

 

Distinctive (p. 196)

 

 

 

 

Astonishment (p. 201)

Stark (p. 211)

 

 

 

 

Subtle (p. 230)

 

 

 

 

Tedious (p. 230)

 

 

 

 

Chapter 41

 

142.          How did they wash their socks?

 

 

 

 

 

143.          Why wasn’t Stanley ever a Cub Scout?

 

 

 

 

 

144.          What did Zero’s mother win a prize for?

 

 

 

 

 

145.          What do YOU think about Zero’s family stealing just what they needed?  What advice would you give them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 42

 

146.          How many onions did they think they had probably eaten?

 

 

 

 

 

 

147.          (What do YOU think?)  Why was Stanley happy now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148.          (What do YOU think?)  Why did Stanley want to dig one more hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 43

 

149.          What song did Stanley’s mother (and Zero’s mother) sing to him when he was little?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150.          Why wouldn’t Stanley or Zero drink as they walked?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 44

 

151.          What did they have for breakfast?

 

 

 

 

 

 

152.          Why wouldn’t Zero let Stanley go get the water?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

153.          What did Stanley find while digging?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

154.          Who found the boys?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 45

 

155.          What appeared in the hole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 46

 

156.          Who had come to visit Stanley the day before?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 47

 

157.          What did one lizard eat?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158.          How did Zero prove the suitcase belonged to Stanley?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 48

 

159.          Explain how Zero got to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 49

 

160.          Why didn’t the lizards bite Zero and Stanley?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

161.          What did Stanley’s father invent?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 50

 

162.          How did the spell get broken?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

163.          What was in the suitcase?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

164.          How much money did the boys get?

 

 

 

 

 

 

165.          How did Clyde Livingston fix his foot odor problem?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

166.          Where did Clyde get whatever it was to fix his problem?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

167.  Who was fluffing Zero’s hair and how do you know who he or she is?

 

 

 

 

 

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last updated: 5/08