1. “The Most Dangerous Game”
By Richard Connell
Page 16

2. Before Reading, page 16 Quickwrite: Foreshadowing: Prediction:
Vocabulary Development:

3. Vocabulary Development
Do you know the meaning of these vocabulary words? Let’s see!!
1. Does a man with a receding hairline have much hair?
2. Would a disarming leader be able to calm an angry crowd?
3. Would you be displeased if a vacation was prolonged?

4. Let’s Check! 1. Does a man with a receding hairline have much hair? no
2. Would a disarming leader be able to calm an angry crowd? yes
3. Would you be displeased if a vacation was prolonged? no

5. Try these! 4. Is it imprudent for bicyclists to wear helmets?
5. Would you admire a person who surmounted a difficulty?
6. Is an easygoing person likely to remain unruffled during a crisis?
7. Would you be surprised if someone who was invariably late arrived halfway through a party?

6. Let’s Check! 4. Is it imprudent for bicyclists to wear helmets? no
5. Would you admire a person who surmounted a difficulty? yes
6. Is an easygoing person likely to remain unruffled during a crisis? yes
7. Would you be surprised if someone who was invariably late arrived halfway through a party? no

7. You’re doing great! 
8. If a critic calls a play diverting, did she enjoy it?
9. Would a timid animal often have the impulse to run?
10. Would a careful construction worker leave a nail protruding from a floorboard?

8. Let’s Check
8. If a critic calls a play diverting, did she enjoy it? yes
9. Would a timid animal often have the impulse to run? yes
10. Would a careful construction worker leave a nail protruding from a floorboard? no

9. Prediction
The island has an evil reputation. What role will it play in the story.
Predict the meaning of the title.
What are different types of games? What do you think will be the most dangerous “game”?

10. Character Development
What can you infer about General Zaroff based on description, dialogue, and actions?
How does the author create suspense during the conversation between Rainsford and Zaroff?
What is the conflict between Zaroff and Rainsford?

11. What can you infer about General Zaroff based on description, dialogue, and actions? Polite, educated, handsome, elegant
How does the author create suspense during the conversation between Rainsford and Zaroff? Z does not tell R what animal he hunts
What is the conflict between Zaroff and Rainsford? R thinks it’s murder; Z thinks it’s just a game of hunting

12. Plot Where does Zaroff find men to hunt?
Analyze why the “game” is unfair?
How will Zaroff force Rainsford to hunt?
Did Zaroff know Rainsford was in the tree?
Why does Zaroff decide to use the hounds?

13. Where does Zaroff find men to hunt
Where does Zaroff find men to hunt? 1) by chance from the “angry gods”- storm; 2) uses electric current, smashes boat between rocks
Analyze why the “game” is unfair. Z gets pistol, Ivan, dogs; other men get knife
How will Zaroff force Rainsford to hunt? Either hunt or be hunted; gives him 3 days to win; or given to Ivan for beating

14. Did Zaroff know Rainsford was in the tree. Yes
Did Zaroff know Rainsford was in the tree? Yes! He looks up the tree, stops before he gets to R, turns and smiles; Z wants another challenge
Why does Zaroff decide to use the hounds? Gets scared that R will win

15. Falling Action/Resolution
p. 34 Is the game over? Who has won?
What is the most dangerous game?
Who is dead in the end?

16. p. 34 Is the game over. Who has won. Z. thinks it’s over, but R
p. 34 Is the game over? Who has won? Z. thinks it’s over, but R. still has a trick to outsmart Z.
What is the most dangerous game? humans
Who is dead in the end? Dog, Ivan, Zaroff

17. Conflict
There are MANY conflicts. What is the MAIN conflict?

18. There are MANY conflicts. What is the MAIN conflict?
Human being vs. human evil

19. Analyze
“The world is made up of two classes- the hunters and the huntees.” What does this quote reveal about Rainsford’s character? Does Rainsford’s attitude about hunting change by the end of the story? How? What does R discover?

20. Analyze Answer
R loves to hunt. Animals hunt with instinct – not feeling. He is strong and confident. He’s glad he’s the hunter.
He must kill to survive. He has a killer instinct.

22. Analyze
“He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” What does that mean?

23. Analyze Answer
Zaroff lost the final duel.

24. Put these in chronological order.
____ Rainsford swims back.
____ Zaroff hunts Rainsford.
____ Whitney warns Rainsford.
____ Zaroff welcomes Rainsford.

25. Chronological Order __4__ Rainsford swims back.
__3__ Zaroff hunts Rainsford.
__1__ Whitney warns Rainsford.
__2__ Zaroff welcomes Rainsford.

26. Plot Diagram Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action
Resolution/Denoument

27. Exposition Characters: Rainsford, Whitney, Ivan, Zaroff
Setting: Ship Trap Island
R. falls off the yacht (boat) and swims to the island

28. Rising Action R. finds Zaroff’s chateau (large country house)
Zaroff explains that he hunts humans- wants R to join him – R says NO!
Z hunts R
R hides in tree – Z finds, turns, and smiles

29. Rising Action, cont. Malay man-catcher – injures Z’s shoulder
Burmese tiger pit – claims dog
ties knife to sapling – kills Ivan

30. Climax
R swims back and hides in Z’s curtains

31. Falling Action
R confronts Z
R and Z fight

32. Resolution / Denoument
feeds Z to the hounds
R sleeps in Z’s bed