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Chapter 22

Holes

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

“I’m not stupid,” Zero said. “I know everybody thinks I am. I just don’t like answering their questions.”

Read the passage aloud. How does the way Zero speaks in short sentences tell you about him?

Discussion

Narration Tell back what happens in the tent, in order: Stanley's thanks, Zero's answer, the alphabet, the letters, and the deal they strike.

1. Zero says Stanley did not steal the sunflower seeds, and then that he did not steal the sneakers. What do you make of how Zero says this?Character

2. Stanley calls “Wait!” and hurries out after Zero before he makes his offer. What does the rush tell us about him?Character

3. Zero does not say how he worked out that it will take five days. Why might the author keep it from us?Author's choice

4. Zero says everybody thinks he is stupid and he just does not like answering their questions. Why might he keep quiet instead?Inference

5. Stanley realizes the gold tube was half of a lipstick container. Why might the author put that discovery at the very end?Plot structure

Make a Connection Tell about a time you taught someone something, or someone taught you. What made it hard, and what made it work?

Vocabulary

Crossword
1
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
Across
  • Across 1. Slow to learn or understand.
  • Across 4. Things a person asks to find something out.
  • Across 6. Put down in a place.
  • Across 8. To make fresh again.
  • Across 9. A big letter, such as the first letter of a name.
Down
  • Down 2. Great surprise.
  • Down 3. Open refusal to obey or give in.
  • Down 5. Learned by heart.
  • Down 7. To know something because you have seen it before.
The words in the chapter
  • stupid “I’m not stupid,” Zero said.
  • questions I just don’t like answering their questions.
  • deposited where he deposited his dirty clothes and towel
  • defiance a flash of defiance in Zero’s eyes
  • memorized I just don’t have it memorized exactly.
  • refresh just to kind of refresh your memory
  • recognize Stanley had to figure out how to teach him to recognize each letter.
  • capital He printed a capital A
  • astonishment He felt a jolt of astonishment.

Critical thinking

1. Stanley sets the deal to teach Zero against X-Ray's likely reaction. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Stanley is weighing.

2. Stanley says he does not know how to teach, yet the lesson goes on. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how well he teaches.

3. Zero's plan sets out the days, the letters and the digging. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what the plan shows about Zero.