1. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Story of Survival

2. Survival
A sudden storm traps hikers in the mountains. A hurricane leaves thousand homeless. The daily news is filled with stories of life-threatening events like these. With a partner, think about one or two similar situations you have experienced or heard about. Using a chart like the one shown, mark what you think are the 3 most important qualities that would help a person survive such an ordeal. Discuss answers with a partner.
Character traits
Trapped in the mountains
Hurricane
intelligence
determination
experience
luck
Physical condition
speed

3. Context Clues
If team members want to play in Saturday’s game, it is imperative that they attend all practices this week.
What does the sentence mean?
What does the word imperative mean based on the sentence?
Write the word imperative in your own sentence.

4. Time to Proofread
1. “I don’t know which one of them three selections are better, I said to Mary.”
2. She said “first the most dangerous game, second, the perfect storm, third, I like a look of Agony.”
You should fix the sentences and make sure the grammar and spelling is correct.

5. Time to Make Predictions…..
My Predictions
Actual Event
Surprise

6. Story Map-Draw a story map similar to this as we read the story to show events that occur between the time that Rainsford reaches the island and the time Ivan greets him with the pistol.

7. Keeping in Mind Who are the characters in the story?
What is the setting of the story?
What is the main conflict in the story?
Specifically keep in mind conflicts or disagreements between Rainsford and Whitney.

8. Consider:
What is the source of the conflict that Rainsford struggles with as he swims to shore?
Summarize what Rainsford concludes has happened and list evidence for his conclusion.

9. To Hunt or Not to Hunt…
How does Rainsford compare hunting with other sports?
Is Rainsford concerned about animal suffering?

10. Hmmmmm……
What insight does the introduction provide into Zaroff’s character?
Most of the detail in the story takes place in 3 locations: on board the yacht, in Zaroff’s mansion, and in the island’s dense jungle.
What details are given about Zaroff’s dining room?

11. Prediction
Do you think Rainsford will enjoy his stay with the general? Why or why not?

12. Ivan the Who?
List the characteristics that the author gives about Ivan.

13. Games?
What kind of game is General Zaroff speaking of?

14. Infer What does Zaroff actually hunt?
How does this relate to the title?
Why does Rainsford agree to allow Zaroff to hunt him as prey?

15. What does Zaroff say that shocks Rainsford?
Why has Zaroff given up on hunting wild animals?
Where does Zaroff find humans to hunt?

16. Summary
Which of the following statements best summarizes the conversation that occurs the night Rainsford arrives at General Zaroff’s chateau?
A. Zaroff inquires about Rainsford’s physical condition and Rainsford asks if he can go to sleep.
B. Zaroff explains that when he became bored with hunting, he regained his interest by hunting humans.
C. Rainsford says that hunting humans is murder.

17. Predicting
Predict how Rainsford will respond to Zaroff’s insistence that they hunt together.
Why do you think so?

18. How does this increase suspense?
Connell omits details of Rainsford’s preparation for the hunt, cutting, instead, directly to the hunt.
How does this increase suspense?

19. Map making Visualize the scene that we just read.
Sketch out or make a map showing where Rainsford and Zaroff are located.
Can Zaroff see Rainsford?

20. Why does Rainsford say that he knows “the full meaning of terror?”

21. Conflict What are the major conflicts in the story?
How do the level of conflicts between Rainsford and Zaroff keep the level of suspense in the story high?

22. Interpreting
Looking at the story’s final sentence, who does “he” refer to?

23. Wrapping things up
Using page 58, answer questions 1-6 in your notebooks.
We will go over these as a class when you are finished.

24. Map making
Now that the story is finished, you will be creating an illustrated map of the island. Include details of the story, such as the chateau, and Death Swamp.
Add your own features with notes explaining the dangers of each one.