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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. On page 1, the night is described as "dank." In this context, what does this word mean?

2. What do Rainsford and his partner disagree about?

3. In what region is the island located?

4. Which word best describes the inside of Zaroff's house?

5. Which word does the narrator use to describe General Zaroff's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the discussion of the Cape buffalo introduce a possible meaning of the story's title?

2. What does Rainsford find in the jungle as he is walking toward Zaroff's house, and what does he conclude from it?

3. How did General Zaroff's early life prepare him to be a hunter?

4. Once he falls overboard, what does Rainsford do and what does it show about his character?

5. What warning signs are present in Zaroff's banter about Cossacks?

6. Describe the first encounter between Rainsford and Ivan.

7. How does Rainsford end up falling overboard?

8. Describe General Zaroff's house.

9. What clues does Connell give right away that the relationship between Ivan and Zaroff developed in the military?

10. Describe Rainsford's first impression of General Zaroff.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

General Zaroff's ideas about civilization are shocking to Rainsford, but since he explicitly refers to World War I as a reason for believing what he believes, the reader should understand that Connell created this character to comment on a specific moment in history. Write an essay in which you analyze the relationship between Zaroff's ideas about civilization and the story's historical context. Support your claims with both historical and textual evidence; be sure to cite your sources in MLA format.

Essay Topic 2

In what way is this story about more than hunting animals? Explain how this story comments on the way that human beings treat one another as much as it comments on how humans treat other animals. Be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of Ivan and Zaroff being Cossacks? Do some research on the history of the Cossack people, especially as it relates to serfdom and to the Czars of Russia. Then write an essay in which you analyze Connell's use of this detail to create meaning. Be sure to use textual evidence as support for your claims and to cite all sources in MLA format.

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