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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 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?

2. What is the name of the island on which the story takes place?

3. To what ethnic group do Zaroff and his servant belong?

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

5. What is surprising about General Zaroff's first remarks to Rainsford?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rainsford end up falling overboard?

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

3. Describe the early warning signs about Zaroff's island that Rainsford ignores.

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

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

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

7. Describe Zaroff's dining room.

8. In what ways does Zaroff show himself to be a good host?

9. What is the disagreement between Rainsford and Whitney?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you analyze the imagery used in "The Most Dangerous Game." Identify patterns in Connell's use of imagery; create a thesis that connects these patterns to the story's overall meaning. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

Connell frequently uses references to specific foods and wines, books, music, and so on as a method of characterizing General Zaroff. What does this tell us about General Zaroff? And why does Connell do it so often--do the references tell the reader separate things about Zaroff, or do they serve another purpose? Write an essay that analyzes the use of these details. Be sure to use textual support for your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that analyzes how General Zaroff came to be the man he is when Rainsford meets him; explain multiple aspects of his personality, using textual evidence to justify speculations about how he came to be the way he is.

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