The smart way to improve grades

Comprehensive & curriculum aligned

Try an activity or get started for free

  1. English
  2. Year 7
  3. Reading
left-icon BACK TO WORKSHEETS

Reading Fiction: 'Holes' by Louis Sachar 6

In this series of worksheets, students are accompanied in their independent reading of the novel 'Holes' by Louis Sachar. Chapters 29–35.

'Reading Fiction: 'Holes' by Louis Sachar 6' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Curriculum topic:   Reading

Curriculum subtopic:   Understand Meaning

Difficulty level:  

Try it for free

Worksheet Overview

QUESTION 1 of 10

This worksheet is designed to test you on your reading of chapters 29–35 of Louis Sachar's Holes. You must have read these chapters in order to complete the worksheet.

 

Have you read chapters 29–35? Which words best describe what they are about?

thumb of God, fight, escape

fist of God, games, hiding

In chapter 29, the writer hints to the reader that something is going to happen. He does this through the weather. How is the weather changing in chapter 29?

It is getting hotter.

It is getting colder.

It is humid and a storm is brewing.

What is it called when a writer uses weather to reflect what is happening in the plot?

pathetic fallacy

metaphor

alliteration

Stanley starts to realise what his great-grandfather might have meant by "God's thumb". 

What is God's thumb?

a lake

a mountain

a tree

Chapter 30, is a dramatic chapter and the writer packs it full of action. Put the events in the correct order.

Column A

Column B

1
It's Zigzag's birthday.
2
Mr Pendanski fires his gun.
3
Zero hits Mr Pendanski with a spade.
4
Zigzag attacks Stanley.
5
Mr Pendanski tries to calm the situation down.
6
Zero attacks Zigzag to try and protect Stanley.
7
Zigzag tries to pick a fight with Stanley.
8
The Warden and Mr Pendanski mock Zero for learning...
9
Zero leaves and walks off into the desert.
10
Zigzag is cross that Zero is digging part of Stanl...

In chapter 32, Stanley tries to find Zero. How does his plan go wrong?

He crashes the truck into a hole.

He falls in a hole.

He steps on a lizard.

The chapter ends with Stanley running away from the camp after Zero. Why does the chapter end with the words "empty, empty, empty"?

to emphasise that Stanley has no hope left

to emphasise that Stanley can't think what to do next

to emphasise that Stanley has no water and will therefore only survive for a few days

In chapter 34, Stanley discovers the upside-down boat the 'Mary Lou'. How does this connect the different narratives together?

The boat belonged to Madame Zeroni's son.

The boat belonged to Trout Walker.

The boat belonged to Sam the onion seller.

At the start of chapter 35, the writer gives a vivid description of Zero, who is very dehydrated. Select three correct details below.

sunken eyes

pale lips

hollow cheeks

greasy hair

drooping smile

Zero has been surviving on 'Sploosh'. How does this connect to the other narratives in the story?

 

Peach trees grew in Madame Zeroni's garden.

Kate made jars of spiced peaches.

Trout Walker's favourite food was peaches.

  • ANSWERS
  • Question 1

Have you read chapters 29–35? Which words best describe what they are about?

CORRECT ANSWER
thumb of God, fight, escape
EDDIE SAYS
Words that best describe these chapters are: thumb of God, fight, escape.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 2

In chapter 29, the writer hints to the reader that something is going to happen. He does this through the weather. How is the weather changing in chapter 29?

CORRECT ANSWER
It is humid and a storm is brewing.
EDDIE SAYS
The weather has become humid and a storm is brewing.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 3

What is it called when a writer uses weather to reflect what is happening in the plot?

CORRECT ANSWER
pathetic fallacy
EDDIE SAYS
It is called pathetic fallacy when a writer uses the weather to reflect something that is happening in the plot.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 4

Stanley starts to realise what his great-grandfather might have meant by "God's thumb". 

What is God's thumb?

CORRECT ANSWER
a mountain
EDDIE SAYS
Stanley realises that God's thumb is a mountain.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 5

Chapter 30, is a dramatic chapter and the writer packs it full of action. Put the events in the correct order.

CORRECT ANSWER

Column A

Column B

1
It's Zigzag's birthday.
2
Zigzag is cross that Zero is digg...
3
Zigzag tries to pick a fight with...
4
Mr Pendanski tries to calm the si...
5
Zigzag attacks Stanley.
6
Zero attacks Zigzag to try and pr...
7
Mr Pendanski fires his gun.
8
The Warden and Mr Pendanski mock ...
9
Zero hits Mr Pendanski with a spa...
10
Zero leaves and walks off into th...
EDDIE SAYS
The correct sequence of events are that it's Zigzag's birthday, he is cross that Zero is digging Stanley's hole. Zigzag tries to pick a fight with Stanley and Mr Pendanski tries to calm the situation down but Zigzag attacks Stanley. Zero then attacks Zigzag and Mr Pendanski fires his gun. The Warden and Mr Pendanski mock Zero for learning to read. Zero hits Mr Pendanski with a spade then leaves. Zero leaves and walks off into the desert.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 6

In chapter 32, Stanley tries to find Zero. How does his plan go wrong?

CORRECT ANSWER
He crashes the truck into a hole.
EDDIE SAYS
The plan goes wrong because he crashes the truck into a hole.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 7

The chapter ends with Stanley running away from the camp after Zero. Why does the chapter end with the words "empty, empty, empty"?

CORRECT ANSWER
to emphasise that Stanley has no water and will therefore only survive for a few days
EDDIE SAYS
The chapter ends with the repetition of the word 'empty' to emphasise that Stanley has no water and will therefore only survive for a few days.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 8

In chapter 34, Stanley discovers the upside-down boat the 'Mary Lou'. How does this connect the different narratives together?

CORRECT ANSWER
The boat belonged to Sam the onion seller.
EDDIE SAYS
The boat belonged to Sam the onion seller.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 9

At the start of chapter 35, the writer gives a vivid description of Zero, who is very dehydrated. Select three correct details below.

CORRECT ANSWER
sunken eyes
pale lips
drooping smile
EDDIE SAYS
Zero has sunken eyes, a drooping smile and pale lips.
  • ANSWERS
  • Question 10

Zero has been surviving on 'Sploosh'. How does this connect to the other narratives in the story?

 

CORRECT ANSWER
Kate made jars of spiced peaches.
EDDIE SAYS
The 'Sploosh' connects to the other narratives because Kate made jars of spiced peaches.
---- OR ----

Get started for free so you can track and measure your child's progress on this activity.

What is EdPlace?

We're your National Curriculum aligned online education content provider helping each child succeed in English, maths and science from year 1 to GCSE. With an EdPlace account you’ll be able to track and measure progress, helping each child achieve their best. We build confidence and attainment by personalising each child’s learning at a level that suits them.

Get started
laptop

Similar activities you may like

Try an activity or get started for free