Holes

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. Where is Stanley at the beginning of the novel?

2. What is the most dangerous creature at Camp Green Lake?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Stanley imagine Camp Green Lake will be like?

2. Why is Stanley arrested and taken to Camp Green Lake?

3. What does Stanley’s family blame their misfortune on?

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. What is the name of the first leader Stanley meets at the camp?

2. Who is the counselor at the camp?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What must Stanley do every day before his work is finished?

2. What does Stanley say he did to be sent to Camp Green Lake?

3. How did Stanley acquire the shoes from Clyde Livingston?

Chapters 7-12

Reading Check

1. Who is Elya Yelnats in love with?

2. What is Stanley’s nickname at the camp?

3. What does Stanley find on his second day of digging?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Madame Zeroni tell Elya to do to win Myra’s hand?

2. How did Elya fail to fulfill his promise to Madame Zeroni?

Paired Resource

The Importance of Belonging

• This article describes the importance of belonging and how to create it.
• What is belonging and why is it important to people? How does group identity contribute to belonging? How has Stanley struggled to find belonging? How is this article related to the novel’s theme of True Friendship Is Lifechanging?

Chapters 13-19

Reading Check

1. What does Stanley find on his third day of digging?

2. Who visits the digging site after Stanley’s find?

3. What does Zero ask Stanley to teach him?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why are the boys cautious about their conversations and movements in the camp?

2. Why is Stanley’s mother concerned about being evicted from their apartment?

Chapters 20-24

Reading Check

1. How did Stanley’s great-grandfather say he survived after being robbed by Kissin’ Kate Barlow?

2. Who digs Stanley’s hole while he is with the Warden?

3. What is Katherine Barlow’s occupation?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does the Warden respond to Mr. Sir’s concerns about Stanley’s supposed theft?

2. How does Mr. Sir get back at Stanley for his role in stealing the sunflower seeds?

Chapters 25-28

Reading Check

1. Who fixes the schoolhouse for Katherine Barlow?

2. What is Zero’s real name?

3. What kills Kate?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How is Camp Green Lake cursed?

2. How does Kissin’ Kate get her name?

Paired Resource

“Your View of the Future Is Shaped By the Past”

• This article from Psychology Today explains why your future can be influenced by the past.
• How are views of the future influenced by the past? Why might that be inhibiting for some people? Why is preparation for obstacles important when considering the future? How is this article related to the novel’s themes of Fate Is Powerful and The Past Has a Strong Influence on the Present?

Chapters 29-35

Reading Check

1. What do the camp leaders erase to cover up Zero’s disappearance?

2. What does Stanley find in the middle of the lake?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Stanley notice while looking at the thunderstorm west of Camp Green Lake?

2. Why does Zero’s decision to dig for Stanley create tension in the group?

3. Why does Zero run away from the camp?

Paired Resource

“How Does Drought Affect Our Lives?”

• This article from the National Drought Mitigation Center describes the impact of drought on people and the environment.
• What is an impact of drought? How is a drought’s impact like a domino effect? What are the economic and environmental impacts of drought? How do the facts in this article relate to the novel’s theme The Past Has a Strong Influence on the Present?

Chapters 36-43

Reading Check

1. Where do Stanley and Zero attempt to go after leaving the boat?

2. What do Stanley and Zero eat on the mountain?

3. Where did Zero’s mother leave him on the day she never returned?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Zero reach the top of the mountain after he collapses?

2. What does Zero reveal about Clyde Livingston’s shoes?

Paired Resource

“7 Science-Backed Reasons Why Friends Are Important”

• This article from scienceofpeople.com, an author’s guide to better communication, discusses the scientific benefits of friendship and how it can support people during hard times.
• Consider what the article has to say about what makes a good friend. Which of these qualities apply to the friendship between Stanley and Zero? How do these qualities relate to the novel’s theme of True Friendship Is Lifechanging?

Chapters 44-50

Reading Check

1. What is in the hole with Zero and Stanley, preventing the Warden from taking the box?

2. Who came to get Stanley at the camp while he was away with Zero?

3. What is on the suitcase, allowing Stanley to claim it?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why do Zero and Stanley return to dig holes?

2.  How do the Yelnats’ fortunes change?

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• Shared topics include mystery, curses, and interpersonal conflicts.
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• The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle on SuperSummary

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