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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. What kind of animals does Zaroff say are better than the people he hunts?

2. On page 35, Zaroff says that Rainsford's attitude is "like finding a snuffbox in a limousine." What does he mean by this?

3. What word does Rainsford repeat three times and Zaroff call "unpleasant" (35)?

4. On page 39, General Zaroff says "It's a game, you see," and the reader realizes what about the story's title?

5. On page 35, General Zaroff criticizes Rainsford's "scruples." What is he criticizing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What part of the island does Zaroff tell Rainsford to avoid, and what are at least two likely motives for his warning?

2. What disagreement do Zaroff and Rainsford have about the difference between "hunting" and "murder"?

3. What does the sentence "He was in a picture with a frame of water, and his operations, clearly, must take place within that frame" mean? (49)

4. What does Zaroff ask Rainsford to promise him he will do if he wins the "game," and what is the result?

5. What does Zaroff say about the "strong" and the "weak" (35)?

6. During Rainsford's attempt to escape Zaroff, there are many references to animals. How are they used and what is their significance?

7. How does General Zaroff react to Rainsford's various traps?

8. Explain at least two ways in which the story's title can be understood.

9. How does Zaroff characterize Rainsford's views on hunting human beings?

10. Describe General Zaroff's actions when Rainsford is hiding in the tree.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The setting of "The Most Dangerous Game" is important not only to the plot of the story but to its meaning. Write an essay in which you explain why this is true; be sure to offer textual support for your claims.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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