Chapter 44 · Holes

Copywork

He gathered his remaining strength, and tried to pull himself up out of the hole. Suddenly, a bright light was shining in his face.

Read the passage aloud. What does the word "Suddenly" do to the second sentence?

Narration Tell back what happens in this chapter, from Stanley waiting in the hole to the light in his face.

Stanley says, “It’s it,” sounding more certain than he really was. Why might he pretend to be sure? Character
Stanley decides to dig wider instead of deeper, and tells himself it makes more sense. How good is his reasoning? Inference
Zero goes to refill the jars because Stanley makes too much noise when he walks. Was that a good plan, and who is taking more risk? Moral reasoning
The author keeps Stanley in the dark for most of the chapter. How does that change the way we feel as he digs? Tone
The Warden says, “You boys have been a big help.” Why might the author end the chapter on her words? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you worked hard on something and someone else got to enjoy the result.

gathered: He gathered his remaining strength Brought together; collected.
remaining: He gathered his remaining strength Still left over.
precarious: As his tunnel grew deeper and wider—and more precarious Unsafe; likely to fall.
astonishment: His voice was filled more with astonishment than with excitement. Great surprise.
sifted: Stanley sifted his fingers through the fresh piles of dirt Passed through loose material to find something.
texture: It had the cool, smooth texture of metal. How something feels to the touch.
wedge: tried to wedge it free To push something thin in to pry it loose.
collapse: He didn’t want the side of the hole to collapse To fall in.
pronounced: the hard object became more pronounced Easier to notice; clearer.

Stanley digs a tunnel under the metal object to get it free. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he works out what to do.
Stanley says it might be a treasure chest, then that it might be a metal suitcase. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he changes his mind.
Zero stays calm and steady as Stanley digs. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Zero does for Stanley during the night.