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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. Whom does Zaroff credit for his great abilities as a hunter?

2. What do Rainsford and his partner intend to hunt?

3. What does Zaroff tell Rainsford he lives for?

4. What is Rainsford's first reaction when he falls overboard?

5. Which animal does Rainsford call the most dangerous?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe General Zaroff's house.

4. What is the disagreement between Rainsford and Whitney?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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