“The Most Dangerous Game”By Richard Connell

Before, During, and After Reading Skills

Preparing to Read

• Identify the text features seen on pages 16-17.

• Identify and define the two Literary Focus elements of this text.

• Identify and define the Reading Focus skill used in this text.

• What is the Writing Focus assignment and what are you asked to look for as you read the beginning of the text?

• Which Vocabulary words do you not recognize? How does this text help you learn new words?

Author Information

• Read the “Meet the Writer” section on page 18.

• Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the author.

• Circle the detail you think is the most important.

Build Background and Preview the Selection

• Read the “Build Background” and “Preview the Selection” sections on page 18.

• Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the text.

• Circle the detail you think is the most important.

Literary Response/Analysis

“The Most Dangerous Game” 

Read the text carefully and note the way the author uses text clues to help readers

anticipate what will happen next. 

How does Connell use the events in the story to create

feelings of suspense and foreshadowing?

Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence from the text to support your

response.

Before Reading Skills

Preview and Predictions

• Examine the text features located throughout the selection.

• Make a list of the things you “know” or “think you know” based only on the text features.

• Make a list of at least 3 things you want to know, but you need to read in order to find out.

• What genre or type of text do you think we are reading? Why?

During Reading Skills

Making Predictions

• A prediction is a type of inference, a guess based on evidence.

• You can base your predictions on clues the writer plants, your own experience of life, and your understanding of how stories work.

• As you read “The Most Dangerous Game,” record examples of clues that lead you to predict what will happen next.

Comprehension/Discussion Questions

Page 19, 20, 21, 22

A. Reading Focus – Predicting: Restate in your own words Rainsford’s opinion about hunting. Then, make a prediction about what might happen to change Rainsford’s mind.

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B. Literary Focus – Foreshadowing: What might this statement of Whitney’s foreshadow?

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C. Reading Focus – Predicting: Rainsford just fell into the “blood-warm waters” of the Caribbean. Do you think he’ll make it back to the boat? Why or why not?

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D. Literary Focus – Foreshadowing: Rainsford comments that the bullet is small, although it was used to kill a large animal. What might this tell you about the hunter?

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Page 23, 24, 25, 26

E. Literary Focus – Suspense: How do the details about the man who answers the door add to the suspense?

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F. Noting Details – Predicting: Re-read the description of Zaroff. What details about his physical appearance seem bizarre to you? What kind of a man do you think he is?

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* Analyzing Visuals * (page 25)

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G. Reading Focus – Predicting: What do you think Zaroff will say to Rainsford?

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Pages 27, 28, 29, 30

H. Reading Focus – Predicting: What animal is Zaroff describing?

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I. Reading Focus – Predicting: What do you think will happen tomorrow?

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J. Literary Focus – Suspense: Why would the men choose to be hunted? How does this sentence add to the suspense?

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K. Reading Focus – Predicting: Will Rainsford go to see Zaroff’s new collection of heads? Why or why not?

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L. Reading Focus – Predicting: What does Zaroff mean?

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Pages 32, 33, 34, 35

M. Literary Focus – Suspense: Re-read this paragraph. How does Connell create suspense here?

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N. Reading Focus – Predicting: Sometimes when characters ask themselves questions, the reader is left to wonder about the answer. What predictions can you make based on these questions?

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O. Literary Focus – Foreshadowing: Rainsford compares his situation to that of a mouse being hunted by a cat. Where in the story was this feeling foreshadowed?

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P. Literary Focus – Suspense: What choice does Rainsford face? How has the tension of his situation increased?

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Page 36

Q. Reading Focus – Predicting: What do you think has happened to Rainsford? What will Zaroff do now?

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R. Literary Focus – Foreshadowing: Rainsford has always been described as a polite, well-mannered gentleman. Here, he calls himself a beast. What might this description foreshadow?

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A. Making Judgments – Do you think the story had a “good” ending? Explain your ideas and thoughts.

B. Evaluating – Earlier in the story, Rainsford judges Zaroff harshly and calls him a murderer. How has Zaroff’s game changed Rainsford’s opinion of himself? Explain the reasons for your response.

Stop and Think!!!

Reading FocusQuick Check Responses Should

Be Concise and Direct.

Explain Why You Should Not Be Expected To

Complete This Activity.

Literary FocusThese Questions and Activities Require More

Thoughtful and Meaningful Responses.*************************************************************************************************

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You should focus on proving your comprehension of the text and

understanding of the LITERARY TERMS used in the selection.

You will also need to include SUPPORT, EXAMPLES, and DETAILS from the text in

your responses.

Rainsford may give up hunting now that he knows how a hunted animal actually feels

Zaroff’s arguments are rational but callous and cold-hearted; he believes that not all human lives are equally valuable.

External: Rainsford’s conflict with nature, Ivan, the dogs and ZaroffInternal: Conflict over controlling his fear and panic, Zaroff’s attempts to convince him to hunt the sailors

The outcome of the story appears in the last sentence of the story, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.”

The hunt is probably the most suspenseful because we don’t know how the hunt will end. The author’s use of words such as “horror”, “terror”, and “his heart stopped” create a feeling of suspense.

The setting is dark, mysterious, and ominous. Whitney shares the sailor’s stories about the island as a place of evil.

Writing FocusPractice using the writing

skills and techniques highlighted throughout the

selection.

Your TurnOpportunities to

develop and strengthen your skills.

Vocabulary Development

Activities and questions to improve your overall

vocabulary and to learn/practice specific

vocabulary skills.

Your TurnOpportunities to

develop and strengthen your skills.