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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did Zaroff leave Russia?
(a) He found the hunting in Russia had become dull.
(b) He was exiled by the Czar.
(c) He was looking for a place with more privacy.
(d) Because of the Russian Revolution.

2. On page 1, the narrator says that the night "was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht." What literary technique is being employed in this phrase?
(a) Metaphor.
(b) Hyperbole.
(c) Parallelism.
(d) Personification.

3. Which word does the narrator use to describe General Zaroff's home?
(a) Palatial.
(b) Grotesque.
(c) Fanciful.
(d) Foreboding.

4. What makes Rainsford a little uncomfortable about the General?
(a) Zaroff carries a pistol with him.
(b) Zaroff refuses to answer Rainsford's questions.
(c) Zaroff keeps staring at him.
(d) Zaroff keeps making strange jokes that Rainsford doesn't understand.

5. Which character says, on page 31, "Instinct is no match for reason"?
(a) Rainsford.
(b) Ivan.
(c) Zaroff.
(d) Nielsen.

6. Why does Zaroff no longer hunt tigers?
(a) He came to understand that they have feelings and thoughts, just like people.
(b) They do not challenge him enough.
(c) There are not enough tigers left to hunt them easily.
(d) He was wounded by a tiger.

7. What is surprising about General Zaroff's first remarks to Rainsford?
(a) He seems to have been expecting Rainsford.
(b) His accent is clearly not Russian.
(c) He seems to find Rainsford's situation very amusing.
(d) He already knows Rainsford's name.

8. When Zaroff says, on page 31, that there is "no greater bore than perfection," to what is he referring?
(a) His own abilities as a hunter.
(b) Prey animals.
(c) His father.
(d) Rainsford's hunting plans.

9. On page 33, the narrator mentions that Zaroff has "surmounted" an obstacle. What has Zaroff done?
(a) Avoided an obstacle.
(b) Created an obstacle.
(c) Given up because of an obstacle.
(d) Overcome an obstacle.

10. On page 1, the night is described as "dank." In this context, what does this word mean?
(a) Strange and unique.
(b) Damp and musty.
(c) Excellent.
(d) Promising.

11. As Rainsford begins to walk along the cliffside, what does he notice in the jungle?
(a) A fire burning somewhere deep in the jungle.
(b) That various traps have been set and that some are sprung.
(c) Signs of a large animal having been hunted and killed.
(d) Signs that the island is inhabited by many dangerous animals.

12. What is unusual about the door knocker on Zaroff's house?
(a) It does not seem to make any sound.
(b) It is in the shape of a hunting dog's head.
(c) It is rusted into place.
(d) It is in the shape of a gargoyle.

13. What is the best description of the General's servant's clothing?
(a) He is wearing an expensive suit.
(b) He is dressed in a butler's uniform.
(c) He is dressed like a hunter.
(d) He is in a military uniform.

14. Which animal does Rainsford call the most dangerous?
(a) Jaguars.
(b) Cape buffalo.
(c) Human beings.
(d) Tigers.

15. Into what two groups does Rainsford divide up the world?
(a) Hunters and hunted.
(b) Strong and weak.
(c) Thinkers and feelers.
(d) Brave and cowardly.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Rainsford end up alone on deck?

2. What does Zaroff imply he was afraid of when he realized that hunting had begun to bore him?

3. On page 1, the narrator says that the night "was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht." What does "palpable" mean in this context?

4. What kind of people does Rainsford guess might live on the island?

5. What do Rainsford and his partner disagree about?

(see the answer keys)

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