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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Rainsford's first reaction when he falls overboard?
(a) He starts to swim after the yacht.
(b) He repeatedly yells to try to get the yacht's attention.
(c) He tries to swim toward the other ship.
(d) He starts swimming in the direction of the island.

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

3. Which word best describes the inside of Zaroff's house?
(a) Forbidding.
(b) Cozy.
(c) Stark.
(d) Luxurious.

4. What is the first thing that Rainsford does once he is on top of the cliffs?
(a) Make a fire.
(b) Hide.
(c) Sleep.
(d) Yell for help.

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

6. What does Zaroff say is the problem with ordinary big-game hunting?
(a) It wastes the life of an animal for no purpose.
(b) There are too many other great hunters in the world.
(c) It does not take the feelings of the prey animal into account.
(d) The prey animal has almost no chance of survival.

7. What does Rainsford see is true about three sides of Zaroff's house?
(a) They are crumbling into disrepair.
(b) They are built over cliffs.
(c) They are surrounded by a fence.
(d) They have no windows.

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

9. Whom does Zaroff credit for his great abilities as a hunter?
(a) His father.
(b) Another famous hunter.
(c) God.
(d) Himself.

10. Who is Rainsford's hunting partner?
(a) Neilsen.
(b) Whitney.
(c) Ivan.
(d) Sanger.

11. When, on page 7, Rainsford "indolently [puffs] on his favorite brier," what is he doing?
(a) Eagerly smoking a cigarette.
(b) Thoughtfully smoking a cigarette.
(c) Lazily smoking a pipe.
(d) Vigorously smoking a pipe.

12. Why did Zaroff go into the army?
(a) It was the only way to get away from his father.
(b) It was expected for noblemen's sons to do so.
(c) He wanted to have an excuse to kill humans.
(d) He believed deeply in the Russian cause.

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

14. What does Zaroff enjoy about hunting humans?
(a) They can reason.
(b) They sometimes escape him.
(c) It reminds him of being in the war.
(d) It breaks a powerful taboo.

15. What does Zaroff tell Rainsford he lives for?
(a) Games.
(b) Luxury.
(c) Power.
(d) Danger.

Short Answer Questions

1. What explanation does Zaroff give for having recognized Rainsford?

2. When Zaroff says, on page 31, that there is "no greater bore than perfection," to what is he referring?

3. What makes the General's servant intimidating when he first opens the door?

4. Why did Zaroff leave Russia?

5. In what region is the island located?

(see the answer keys)

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