English II
House of the Scorpion
Vocabulary – Definitions
Directions: Write the definition of each word.
1. Array
2. Desolation
3. Indignant
4. Voluminous
5. Spray
6. Consternation
7. Defile
8. Tersely
9. Maliciously
10. Covey
11. Guileless
12. Furtively
13. Harangued
14. Impassively
15. fervor
Name ________________________
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Vocabulary – Sentences
Directions: Use each word in a sentence that demonstrates understanding of the word’s meaning.
1. Array
2. Desolation
3. Indignant
4. Voluminous
5. Spray
6. Consternation
7. Defile
8. Tersely
9. Maliciously
10. Covey
11. Guileless
12. Furtively
13. Harangued
14. Impassively
15. fervor
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Vocabulary – Review
Directions: The teacher will read the definition and the student will identify the word and spell it
correctly.
1. Array – an orderly arrangement
2. Desolation – loneliness; abandonment
3. Indignant – feeling or expressing anger aroused by something unjust, mean, or unworthy
4. Voluminous – having great size, volume, fullness, or number
5. Spray – a small branch bearing flowers, leaves, or berries
6. Consternation – great fear or dismay
7. Defile – to make filthy or dirty; pollute; to make corrupt
8. Tersely – briefly or in a “to-the-point” manner
9. Maliciously – done in a way that shows desire to harm others
10. Covey – a small flock of partridges, grouse, or other small birds
11. Guileless – free of treachery or cunning
12. Furtively – done in a stealthy, secretive, or cautious way
13. Harangued – delivered a long, loud speech denouncing a person or thing
14. Impassively – in a manner that shows no feeling or emotion
15. Fervor – intensity of emotion
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Vocabulary – Quiz
Directions: Write the correct word on each line.
1. ______________ – briefly or in a “to-the-point” manner
2. ____________________ – loneliness; abandonment
3. ____________________ – having great size, volume, fullness, or number
4. __________ – an orderly arrangement
5. ____________ – to make filthy or dirty; pollute; to make corrupt
6. __________________ – feeling or expressing anger aroused by something unjust, mean,
or unworthy
7. __________ – a small flock of partridges, grouse, or other small birds
8. __________________________ – great fear or dismay
9. __________________ – done in a stealthy, secretive, or cautious way
10. __________________ – delivered a long, loud speech denouncing a person or thing
11. __________________ – free of treachery or cunning
12. ______________________ – done in a way that shows desire to harm others
13. ______________________ – in a manner that shows no feeling or emotion
14. __________ – a small branch bearing flowers, leaves, or berries
15. ____________ – intensity of emotion
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Pre-Reading Activity
Learning Target: Prepare for the reading of a text by analyzing nonfiction film and texts.
1. Watch a film on cloning at the following link. Give a brief summary of how cloning is
performed on animals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV2OxSGhwjY
2. What are some practical benefits of cloning animals?
3. What are some problems scientists have had with cloning animals?
4. How do you react personally to the video? Does the fact that animals are being cloned
disturb you? Explain your answer.
5. According to George W. Bush in the video, China is already experimenting with human
cloning. Does this disturb you? Explain your answer.
6. Do you think we should experiment with human cloning in the United States? Explain
your answer.
7. Embryonic stem cell research is another controversial issue related to cloning. Eggs and
sperm are extracted from a man and woman and joined in a laboratory, producing a
human embryo. Stem cells are then extracted from the embryo and used for scientific
research, and the embryo is discarded. Why do you think this process is controversial?
What do you think about it?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters One and Two
Learning Target: Learning Target: Analyze how characters, conflicting motivations, and
character relationships advance the plot.
1. The title of the first chapter is an allusion to the book of Genesis. What does this suggest
to you about what the story will be about?
2. The scientists working in the lab never use the term “baby.” Why do you think this is?
What does it suggest about how this community views human life?
3. What time period is the setting of the novel? How do you know?
4. Eduardo wonders whether he is doing the baby a favor by not injecting him with the
serum that would have made him unintelligent. What does this suggest about the future
life of the baby?
5. What real issue is going to be addressed in this novel? How can you tell?
6. What effect does isolation have on Matt? Support your answer using the text.
7. What is the difference between how Matt views Celia and their actual relationship?
Support your answer using the text.
8. How is Matt different from Steven and Emelia? How is he similar?
9. As Matt goes to bed at the end of this chapter, what does he hope for?
10. What do you predict will happen in the next chapter?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Three and Four
Learning Target: Analyze character motivation in a literary text.
1. Why are Steven and Emilia surprised when they realize that Matt can understand them?
2. What is Matt’s reaction to Steven and Emilia when they leave Maria by herself? What
does this suggest about Matt?
3. What is the meaning of the words printed on Matt’s foot?
4. How does Steven’s father view Matt? Why does he view him this way?
5. How does the author, Nancy Farmer, want the reader to feel about Matt? How can you
tell? Support your answer using the text.
6. Do you feel differently about Matt as a character because he is a clone, or do you
sympathize with him? Explain your answer.
7. Many of the characters in the novel seem to believe that clones are animals. How do you
react to their belief?
8. How is Maria’s reaction to Matt different from the reactions of other characters in the
novel? Why do you think she sees him differently? What does this suggest about the
nature of bigotry?
9. Why do you think Matt tells Maria a story that frightens her, even though he likes her?
What does this suggest about Matt?
10. How does the author feel about human cloning, and how can you tell? Support your
answer using the text.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Five and Six
Learning Target: Analyze a dynamic character for changes throughout a novel.
1. How do Rosa and the doctor feel about El Patron? Why do they feel the way they do
about him?
2. How do the doctor and Rosa differ in their treatment of Matt? How do you account for
the difference?
3. How is Matt beginning to change as a character? What is causing him to change?
4. Why hasn’t Celia come to rescue Matt before this chapter?
5. What do Matt’s behavior at the end of the chapter and his reaction to Celia’s plan suggest
about him as a character?
6. Why do you think the doctor turns on Rosa when she is accused of treating Matt like an
animal?
7. What do we learn about Matt’s identity in this chapter? Does this change your view of
him? Explain your answer.
8. What do you think the purpose of cloning might be in this community? Support your
answer with reference to the text.
9. What do you think El Patron has in mind for Matt?
10. What do you predict the relationship will be like between Tam Lin and Matt?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Seven and Eight
Learning Target: Infer the motivation of a character in a text.
1. Why do you think Tom treats Matt the way he does?
2. What does the fact that Matt develops asthma add to the storyline? What might his illness
foreshadow?
3. What do you think finally causes Matt to talk?
4. What is odd about the behavior of Matt’s teacher?
5. How is the relationship between Matt and Tam Lin developing?
6. When Tam Lin picks a small, slow horse for Matt to ride, do you think he is actually
concerned about Matt, or that he is simply concerned about keeping Matt safe to avoid
punishment?
7. Tam Lin tells Matt that he is rejected by people because he is different, but Matt has no
control over this difference, which is not the result of a belief or a behavior. Give a
historical or contemporary example of this in the real world.
8. In your opinion, is there a difference between rejecting someone because of his or her
beliefs or actions, and rejecting someone because of things he or she cannot control?
9. Is there any occasion when it would be acceptable to treat someone differently if he or
she is behaving in a way that is destructive to himself or herself, or to others?
10. Discuss how the society in the novel has devalued life. What have they gained? What
have they lost?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Nine and Ten
Learning Target: Predict future plot developments in a novel.
1. Why is Matt bothered by the fact that Maria brings her dog, Furball, when she visits him?
2. Why do you think Felicia drink alcohol? Does it seem to be helping her or making her
worse?
3. Matt decides to work hard at his studies, believing that people will accept him if he
excels academically. How do you think his plan will work out?
4. Why do you think Tam Lin decides to get Matt a piano teacher?
5. What does Matt learn about Mr. Alacran’s father?
6. How does Matt feel about El Patron? Why do you think his feelings are so strong?
7. Why is Tom’s mistreatment of the dog significant?
8. What is your first impression of MacGregor? Explain your answer.
9. What role has wealth played in the long life of El Patron?
10. Other than the excellent care of doctors, what is another possible explanation for the long
life of El Patron?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Eleven and Twelve
Learning Target: Evaluate the ethics of decisions made by characters in a literary text.
1. What do you think of Matt’s joke on Tom? Do you think Maria and Tam Lin are correct,
that Matt is becoming a brat, or do you think his actions were harmless fun?
2. Why has El Viejo refused the treatment of “fetal brain implants” to cure his cancer? Do
you think his decision is morally correct?
3. What does Matt do when Maria tries to take her gift back? What does this incident reveal
about how Matt is changing?
4. Why do you think El Patron is happy to see Matt changing?
5. How does Matt feel after learning that Maria is a hoarder, and has psychological
problems that make it hard for her to let go of things? What does this suggest about Matt?
6. Why do you think Tom shows Matt and Maria the clone when they are at the hospital?
7. What does Matt notice about the clone, and why do you think Tom is so angry when he
points it out?
8. How does Maria act when she sees the clone? Why does she act this way?
9. Why is Matt angry with Maria at the end of the chapter?
10. What does Maria’s reaction reveal about her? Does she really care less about clones than
she does about animals? Explain your answer.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen
Learning Target: Analyze the symbolism in a novel
1. What does Matt learn about Tom in this chapter? How does this explain El Patron’s
favoring of Matt and his rejection of Tom?
2. What do we learn about Matt in this chapter that makes him entirely unique? How has El
Patron been able to disobey the law?
3. What does Matt do in order to try to get Maria to talk to him? What do his actions reveal
about him?
4. Why is it significant that Tom is seen torturing a frog in this chapter?
5. The society in the book apparently believes that raising clones specifically for the
purpose of harvesting their organs is morally acceptable because their brains have been
destroyed, so they don’t suffer. Do you think this argument is rational?
6. If creating clones with destroyed brains for the purpose of harvesting their organs is
morally defensible, what about creating clones to do manual labor or fight in wars?
Explain your answer.
7. Why does Matt decide to make better decisions? Do you think his reason is a good one?
8. What do El Patron and Maria have in common?
9. List three adjectives you would use to describe El Patron, and explain why you chose
these adjectives.
10. Which character in the novel do you most relate to, and why?
11. So far in the novel, religion has played almost no role in the lives of the characters. How
has that fact affected the way they make decisions?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen
Learning Target: Evaluate the way religion is portrayed in a novel.
1. What does the fact that Rosa is now an eejit reveal about the other uses for the braindestroying drug?
2. How does the priest react when Matt tries to view El Viejo’s body at the funeral? Is the
priest acting in a way that is consistent with the Christian faith? Explain your answer.
3. Why is it significant that Maria sticks up for Matt at the funeral? Is her behavior more or
less consistent with Christian faith than the priest’s?
4. Why is it significant that Matt and Maria escape to the music room? (How is this room
symbolic?)
5. What impact has cloning had on this fictional society? Do you think the impact of
cloning in real life could have the same impact? Are there examples of the devaluation of
human life in the world today?
6. How does studying the life of St. Francis influence Maria to forgive Matt?
7. Why does Felicia kill Maria’s dog?
8. How does Maria’s telling Matt to try to be good undermine her belief that he is just an
animal?
9. How does Matt feel about Maria? Support your answer using the text.
10. How do both the priest and Maria twist their religious beliefs to allow them to fit in with
society?
11. How would the priest’s and Maria’s actions be different if they chose to follow their
beliefs, instead of trying to fit into society?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen
Learning Target: Analyze a text for characterization
1. How does studying the teachings of St. Francis affect Matt?
2. Why do you think Tam Lin left the book about the history of opium for Matt to find?
3. Why was the city of Opium created, and who created it?
4. What is your reaction to the scene at the water treatment plant?
5. How does Matt react to the book about the history of Opium? Why do you think he reacts
this way?
6. Why does Matt react the way he does when he learns that El Patron has had a heart
attack?
7. The narrator states that the donor heart was too small to pump El Patron’s blood by itself.
Where do you think the heart came from?
8. How does El Patron react when Matt tells him about the life of St. Francis, and that he
gave all his possessions away?
9. What kind of person does El Patron symbolize? Do you think the author is trying to say
that wealth is bad, or simply that there are more important things than wealth? Explain
your answer.
10. What do you think El Patron has in mind for Matt’s future?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Nineteen and Twenty
Learning Target: Analyze the subtext of a scene in a novel
1. In this chapter, Matt finally realizes what the purpose for clones is. He believes that he
was created so that his organs could be harvested, but then realizes that El Patron created
him specially, because he wanted to re-create himself and preserve his legacy. How does
it make Matt feel to realize that his life serves such a selfish purpose?
2. How does Matt think about the other clones El Patron has created?
3. Why do you think Matt is running a fever?
4. One of the problems scientists have had with clones is that they tend to have the same
deficiencies that their adult donors have. In your opinion, would cloning be more
acceptable if the clones were as healthy as newborn babies?
5. If it were possible to create several “versions” of a human embryo and then choose the
one you wanted, while discarding the others, do you think it would be ethical to do so?
Explain your answer.
6. What internal conflict is Matt dealing with at the beginning of the chapter?
7. Who is Esperanza Mendoza?
8. What does the conversation between Tam Lin and Celia reveal about what is happening
to Matt?
9. What do you think Celia’s plan is?
10. Why does El Patron begin calling Matt “Felipe?”
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Twenty-One and Twenty-Two
Learning Target: Analyze a text for characterization
1. How are marriages arranged in the novel?
2. Do you think Matt believes that his organs will be harvested to save El Patron’s life some
day? Explain your answer.
3. What does Maria reveal to Matt about herself and Tom?
4. Do you think Maria will take Matt’s advice and try to contact her mother? Explain your
answer.
5. Why is it significant that El Patron passes out at the wedding?
6. Why do Matt and Maria plan to run away? What is their plan?
7. How does Matt’s being a clone help them escape?
8. How does Emelia react when Maria tells her that their mother is alive?
9. Why do you think Emelia and Steve are taking Matt to the hospital?
10. How have Maria’s feelings about Matt changed throughout the novel? Support your
answer with reference to the text.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapters Twenty-Three and Twenty-Four
Learning Target: Evaluate the rationale given by a character for his actions in a text
1. How does El Patron rationalize his decision to kill Matt and harvest his organs? What do
you think of his reasoning?
2. What do you think of Celia’s claim that El Viejo was the only decent person in the
family?
3. Why is Matt’s heart unsuitable for El Patron?
4. Do you believe that Celia has really been turned into an eejit? Explain your answer.
5. Do you believe that Tam Lin will really kill Matt? Explain your answer.
6. Why doesn’t Matt trust Tam Lin when he reveals that the plan to kill Matt has all been an
act?
7. How does Tam Lin respond to the accusations Matt makes against him?
8. Why does Tam Lin choose to stay in Opium, rather than escaping to Aztlan with Matt?
9. What warning does Tam Lin give to Matt as he is leaving for Aztlan?
10. How do you feel about the character Tam Lin? Explain your answer.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Twenty-Five and Twenty Six
Analyze a text for symbolism and subtext.
1. How is it symbolic that Matt begins his journey to Aztlan at dawn?
2. Why do you think Matt looks back at Opium often as he travels? What do you suppose he
is thinking about?
3. What is the first indication that Matt is getting close to Aztlan?
4. How is the Farm Patrol similar to immigration officers in America? How is the Farm
Patrol different?
5. What is symbolic about the fact that Matt must shed his backpack to escape the Farm
Patrolman?
6. Describe the character Raul. How does Matt perceive him? Is there a difference between
how Matt perceives him and how you perceive him?
7. Evaluate Raul’s philosophy regarding work and wealth.
8. Why can Matt relate to the orphans? What do they have in common?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Twenty-Seven and Twenty-eight
Learning Target: Recall important details in a literary text.
1. The “Lost Boys” are an allusion to what other work of classic literature?
2. What is the point of the bedtime story of the “Five-legged horse?”
3. Why do the boys lose their dinner privileges?
4. What is your opinion of the character Fidelito? Use at least one specific reference to the
text to support your opinion of him.
5. What is your understanding of the word “aristocrat?” How is the word used to insult
Matt?
6. Select a passage from either of these two chapters that interests you and explain why.
7. Who is your least favorite character in the novel at this point, and why?
8. What is one question you would ask the author, Nancy Farmer, if you had the chance?
9. Which character can you relate to the most so far, and why?
10. Describe the relationship between Matt and Fidelito.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Twenty-Nine and Thirty
Learning Target: Analyze and interpret an image
1. What do you think the giant pit filled with bones symbolizes? Explain your answer.
2. How does this image contrast with the image of the oasis in previous chapters?
3. What personal connections have you made with any of the characters or actions that
affect the way you perceive the novel?
4. Why do you think the boys admire Matt? Do you think he is admirable for these reasons?
Explain.
5. What do you think the purpose is for the “self-criticism?” How might “self-criticism”
help the authorities in a communist society?
6. Evaluate Matt in terms of his leadership qualities. Use specific reference to the text to
support your answer.
7. Evaluate Jorge’s “inspirational lessons” that he gives the orphans.
8. Give an example of vivid sensory detail from either of these chapters.
9. How does Matt react to the beating he has taken from Jorge?
10. If you had to guess what the message or theme of the book is at this point, what would
you say that it is, and why?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Thirty-One and Thirty-Two
Learning Target: Analyze a literary passage for diction and imagery.
1. The boys have never stood up to the Keepers before, but they do in these chapters. What
has brought about the change in them?
2. Why is Matt suspicious of Ton Ton’s claim that all the orphans eventually become
Keepers?
3. How does the tone swing back and forth in chapter 32?
4. Why is it significant that the Keepers keep the boys alive by feeding them krill? What is
symbolic about krill?
5. Give an example of figurative language from either chapter.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Thirty-Three and Thirty-Four
Learning Target: Analyze how an author uses literary devices.
1. What is the tone when Matt and Chacho are in the bone pit? Give two examples of
diction that support your answer.
2. Describe the different plans Flaco and Ton-Ton have after the uprising against the
Keepers. Whose plan seems most reasonable, and why?
3. How does Matt give Chaco hope when they are in the bone pit?
4. Identify one image that you think is the most powerful so far in the story, and explain
why it is so powerful.
5. Give an example of how the experiences of the boys mirrors some aspect of history or
modern society.
6. Why do you think the orphans’ loyalty has switched from the Keepers to Matt?
7. How is Matt’s leadership different from the leadership of the Keepers?
8. Which character do you relate to the most at this point in the novel, and why?
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Thirty-Five and Thirty-Six
Learning Target: Identify the theme in a novel.
1. What is significant about the fact that Matt does not like wearing the mask? How does it
reveal a trait that he has exhibited in previous chapters?
2. In this chapter Matt’s character rises in power so that he is virtually equal to Jorge and
Carlos. What has enabled this power shift?
3. How does Jorge respond to the accusations that he and his co-workers are selling Opium
and mistreating the orphans? How does his reaction suggest that his character is a foil, or
opposite, of Matt’s?
4. How does Esperanza react when she learns the truth about Jorge?
5. The source of El Patron’s power was his wealth. What seems to be the source of
Esperanza’s power? Support your answer using the text.
6. What theme do you see emerging in the novel? Provide three references to the text that
support your answer.
7. Earlier in the novel, we identified the ways Matt was marginalized by the other
characters. To what extent has he begun to feel accepted by the other characters, and
why?
8. Give an example of another character, besides Matt, who is isolated from the other
characters in the novel, and explain how.
9. What does the author’s view of human nature seem to be? Explain your answer.
English II
Name ________________________
House of the Scorpion
Chapter Thirty-Seven and Thirty-Eight
Learning Target: Analyze symbolism and diction in a literary text.
1. Why does Maria begin to worry about her father and Emilia in chapter 37?
2. Explain the symbolism of El Patron’s gold coffin.
3. Why does Tam Lin warn Daft Donald not to drink the wine, yet drinks it himself?
4. What theme can you identify in the novel? Give three references to the text that support
your claim.
5. How is Esperanza a character foil of Matt?
6. Identify one word or phrase that has been repeated throughout the novel. Explain why
this word or phrase is significant.
7. This novel is an example of a common theme in literature that is as old as technology
itself: the theme of science playing God. This type of literature usually presents a
warning that science has gone too far and has not been ethical. Think of another example
of this theme from literature or film. Why do you think this type of literature is so
common?
8. Has reading this novel changed your views on cloning, human cloning, or embryonic
stem cell research, or any other issue? Explain your answer.