D. Thinking About the Story

1. Sharing Ideas

Discuss the following questions with a partner or in a group:

1. Discuss the relationship between Pierre and Jacques. How did Jacques feel about Pierre? Find sentences in the story to support your opinion.

2. Do you know any disabled person who depends on an animal?

3. If you ever had a pet, you may have noticed that the animal had some human qualities. Tell your classmates about an incident when your pet seemed to act like a human.

2. Reading Between the Lines

Practice reading between the lines. Circle the letter of the answer that best completes each of the following statements:

Drawing an inference is another expression for reading between the lines. In mysteries and other stories with surprises, the author may try to prevent you from discovering the surprise by leading you to draw inferences that steer you away from the right conclusion.

Circle the letter of the inference you drew based on the information below. Was it the inference the author wanted you to draw?

1. When Joseph stops at all the right houses, the inference is that

a) Joseph has learned the route from taking it so many times.

b) Pierre is giving Joseph a secret signal to stop.

c) Joseph has human intelligence.

2. Pierre comes to work carrying a walking stick, the inference is that

a) he has the gout.

b) he has lost his sight

c) he is having trouble with his legs.

3. The cooks know that Pierre can’t read or write, and Jacques excuses Pierre from making out the bills. The inference is that

a) Pierre doesn’t want to be bothered with the details of his job.

b) Pierre is uneducated.

c) Pierre can’t see very well.

3. Analyzing the Story

Pierre’s secret, as you now know, is that he is blind. Look back at the Literary Term on page 2. Did you find all the clues that the author put in the story to foreshadow Pierre’s secret? The following three types of clues are used:

1.clues related to Joseph and the wagon

2. clues related to Pierres appearance, something Pierre says or does, or something the author tells us about Pierre

3. clues related to something Jacques says or does

Make a chart like t he one below. Fill in the sentences from the story that provide the clues.

4. Writing

Choose one of the following writing assignments:

1. Write a summary of the story in two to three paragraphs. Make sure to include all of the major events.

2. Imagine you are a reporter and you are called to the scene of the accident. Interview Jacques and the truck driver who accidentally killed Pierre. Write an account for your newspaper.

3. Make up a conversation that might occur between the Paquins and the Lemoines when they hear of Pierre’s death.

4. Write about the relationship you have or have had with an animal. Explain how you got the animal and discuss how your relationship developed over time.

[1] Bonjour, vieil ami: Good morning, old friend

[2]Avance, mon ami: Forward, my friend

[3] Mais oui, Jacques : Yes, Jaques or But of course, Jaques

[4] Au’voir or Au revoir: Good bye; Till we meet again

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 969