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Let’s connect:
This “Most Dangerous Game” short story unit offers the following
standards-based activities:
“Why do Hunters Kill?” pre-reading article (source material) and questions: (in this doc)
Actual text of the article is not included, although a link to the article is. I did not
write the article, so I cannot include the text.
“The Most Dangerous Game” through the text PowerPoint: (separate file)
Focuses on Conflict, Literary Devices, and Making Inferences
Also includes details regarding setting and historical connections, with pictures
19 slides
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Guide: (in this doc)
Intended to accompany the PowerPoint
12 through-the-text questions that focus on Conflict, Literary Devices, and Making
Inferences
“The Most Dangerous Game” Review Chart: (separate file)
3-column chart focuses on Plot, Conflict, and Figurative Language
Students must find text evidence from the story for each box
Methods of Characterization PowerPoint: (separate file)
Explains the Methods of Characterization, and how an author creates character
Gives an explanation for each type of characterization, as well as an example from
“The Most Dangerous Game”
16 slides
Methods of Characterization Chart: (separate file)
Chart for students to fill in with text evidence from “The Most Dangerous Game”,
focusing on the 5 methods of indirect characterization
2 boxes are provided as models
“The Most Dangerous Game” Characterization Annotation: (in this doc)
Characterization color-marking and annotation activity asking students to focus on
indirect characterization of Ivan and General Zaroff
Key (or teaching model) is included
Rubric:
Rubric for color-marking, annotation, and short-answer questions
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Checks: (in this doc)
Two 5-question Reading Checks – One covers the 1st half of story, the other covers
the whole story
Review PowerPoint with help for Response to Literature Essay (separate file)
Includes reminders about characterization, character traits for Zaroff and Rainsford,
a thesis statement template, and 2 sample thesis statements
I hope that you find this guide useful for you and your students!
“Why do
Hunters Kill?”
“Why Do Hunters Kill? – Source and Tasks
Here are the tasks and questions I use with the article “Why Do Hunters Kill?”
This is an excellent pre-reading article before “The Most Dangerous Game” but because it
is not mine, I am providing you the source information and article index to locate it from
the below link.
Students really enjoy this article.
-Russ Chastain
Source info:
http://hunting.about.com/od/hunting/a/aa122299.htm
About.com: Hunting/Shooting
Accessed August 28, 2010
Author: Russ Chastain: Hunting/Shooting Guide
Editor: unknown
©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
Tasks
Please complete the following tasks by the end of the period:
With your partners, create a source card, using the model provided.
Answer the questions provided in complete sentences.
With your partners, write 2 questions that you would like to know more about concerning
this topic.
Staple your work, and place into the Reading Skills section of your Writer’s Notebook.
Questions:
1. What is your opinion of hunting? Is it a noble sport, cold-blooded murder, or something
in between? Explain.
2. The author contrasts hunting for food with buying meat in the grocery store. Does his
example provide a strong argument for hunting? Why or why not?
3. Look at the list of activities the author compares hunting with (paragraph 6). Do his
examples provide a strong argument for hunting? Why or why not?
4. In the Q&A section, the author claims that there are 2 sides to hunting: predator and
prey. Could that also be said of the world in which we live? Explain.
“The Most
Dangerous
Game”
Questions
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
Reading Guide – Focus on Conflict, Literary Devices, and Making Inferences
As you read, locate the quotations listed then answer the questions that correspond to them on
your own paper. Please answer in complete sentences.
1. Making Inferences
“Rainsford heard a sound. It came out of the darkness, a high screaming sound, the sound of an
animal in an extremity of anguish and terror.He did not recognize the animal that made the sound;
he did not try to; with fresh vitality he swam toward the sound. He heard it again; then it was cut
short by another noise, crisp, staccato.”
•Rainsford, a famous hunter, does not recognize the sound of the hunted animal. What does this
suggest he will find on the island?
2. Literary Devices - Metaphor
“He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web of weeds and trees.”
•Look at the metaphor in the sentence. What does the word web suggest about the landscape?
3. Literary Devices - Metaphor
“His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on
three sides of it, cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.”
•Why might Rainsford imagine the sea as a creature with “greedy lips”?
•List several other examples of metaphors you discover in the story.
4. Making Inferences
Read the passage that begins: “Rainsford’s first impression was that the man was singularly
handsome…” and ends with “He is a Cossack,” said the general, and his smile showed red lips and
pointed teeth. “So am I.”
•Based on this description of General Zaroff, what can you infer about his character? What do
you expect from him at this point in the story?
5. Making Inferences
Read the passage that begins: “The general filled both glasses and said:…” and ends “It would be
impossible to tell you how many animals I have killed.”
•Based on the details of General Zaroff’s upbringing, what can you infer about his character?
What do you expect from him as the story continues?
6. Literary Devices - Simile, Conflict
“They indicate a channel where there’s none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea
monster withwide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easily as I crush this nut.”
•Look at the simile in the sentence. How does this simile contribute to the conflict in the story?
How does the author’s word choice generate feelings of suspense?
7. Conflict
“My dear fellow,” said the general, “have I not told you I always mean what I say about hunting?
This is really an inspiration. I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel—at last.”
•At this point in the story, the conflict changes from clashing viewpoints to physical opposition.
Are the opponents equally matched, or does one character have an advantage over the other?
Explain.
8. Conflict
“He had not been entirely clearheaded when the chateau gates snapped shut behind him. His
whole idea at first was to put distance between himself and General Zaroff, and, to this end, he
had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowels of something very like panic. Now, he had
gotten a grip on himself, had stopped, and was taking stock of himself and the situation.”
• Rainsford is experiencing internal conflict. According to this passage, what forces, or emotions,
within himself must Rainsford keep in check in order to survive?
9. Making Inferences
“Rainsford held his breath. The general’s eyes had left the ground and traveling inch by inch up
the tree. Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes of the hunter
stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face.
Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air then he turned his back on the tree and walked
carelessly away, back along the trail he had come. The swish of the underbrush against his
hunting boots grew fainter and fainter.”
• After reading General Zaroff’s actions, make an inference about why Zaroff behaves the way
he does. Why does he smile? Why is the smoke ring deliberate? Why does he walk carelessly?
10. Literary Devices - Simile
Read the passage that begins: “When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone,
Rainsford took up his flight again.” and ends “He stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet
or so, and like some huge prehistoric beaver, he began to dig.”
• Find the two similes in the passage and copy them onto your paper. How do these similes, with
their suggestion of Rainsford’s beastliness, indicate Rainsford’s changing perspective on animal
life?
11. Making Inferences
“At ten, he went up to his bedroom. He was deliciously tired, he said to himself as he locked
himself in. There was a little moonlight, so before turning on his light, he went to the window and
looked down at the courtyard. He could see the great hounds, and he called: “Better luck
another time,” to them. The he switched on the light.”
• Judging General Zaroff’s actions make an inference as to why he is so relaxed at this point in
the story.
12. Literary Devices – Foreshadowing
To hook our curiosity, writers drop clues that foreshadow, or hint at, what will happen later in the
story.
Go back through the story and answer the following questions:
• What clues at the start of the story foreshadow danger ahead for Rainsford?
• How does Rainsford’s discussion about hunting at the start of the story foreshadow later
developments?
• What details in the description of Zaroff’s unusual dental features and lips foreshadow the truth
about his nature? (How do these details make him seem like a monster?)
“The Most
Dangerous
Game”
Annotation
and Key
“The Most Dangerous Game” Annotation
Focus on Characterization
“I’m Sanger Rainsford of New York,” Rainsford began again. “I fell off
a yacht. I am hungry.”
The man’s only answer was to raise with his thumb the hammer of his
revolver. Then Rainsford saw the man’s free hand go to his forehead in a military
salute, and saw him click his heels together and stand at attention. Another man
was coming down the broad marble steps, an erect slender man in evening
clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held out his hand.
In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave it precision
and deliberateness, he said: “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr.
Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home.”
Automatically, Rainsford shook the man’s hand.
“I’ve read your book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet, you see,”
explained the man. “I am General Zaroff.”
Rainsford’s first impression was that the man was singularly handsome;
his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality about the
general’s face. He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was vivid white;
but his thick eyebrows and pointed military moustache were as black as the night
from which Rainsford had come. He had high cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, a
spare, dark face, the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an
aristocrat. Turning to the giant in uniform, the general made a sign. The giant put
away his pistol, saluted, withdrew.
“Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow,” remarked the general, “but he
has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple fellow, but I’m afraid, like all of
his race, a bit of a savage.”
“Is he Russian?”
“He is a Cossack,” said the general, and his smile showed red lips and
pointed teeth. “So am I.”
“The Most Dangerous Game” Annotation
Focus on Characterization
Color-mark words and phrases that illustrate indirect characterization of Ivan (hint:
look at adjectives that describe this character). Annotate for the inferences that
can be made based on the indirect characterization.
Remember that In
Color-mark words and phrases that illustrate indirect characterization of Zaroff
(hint: look at adjectives that describe this character). Annotate for the inferences
that can be made based on the indirect characterization.
Write a paragraph about the character Ivan, using your color-marking and
annotations. What kind of person is he? What might the reader expect from such
a person?
Write a paragraph about the character Zaroff, using your color-marking and
annotations. What kind of person is he? What might the reader expect from such
a person?
“The Most Dangerous Game” Annotation
Focus on Characterization
“I’m Sanger Rainsford of New York,” Rainsford began again. “I
fell off a yacht. I am hungry.”
The man’s only answer was to raise with his thumb the
hammer of his revolver. Then Rainsford saw the man’s free hand go to his
The man forehead in a military salute, and saw him click his heels together and stand
wears evening
clothes on a at attention. Another man was coming down the broad marble steps, an
deserted
island. Why? Is erect slender man in evening clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held
he aristocrat?
Ivan
probably
has had
military
training; he
looks to
Gen. Zaroff
for
commands
out his hand.
In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave it
precision and deliberateness, he said: “It is a very great pleasure and honor
to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home.”
Automatically, Rainsford shook the man’s hand.
“I’ve read your book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet,
you see,” explained the man. “I am General Zaroff.”
Rainsford’s first impression was that the man was singularly
Gen. Zaroff is
attractive, but
bizarre looking;
powerful and
sharp – looks
suggest authority
and wealth
Gen. Zaroff ishandsome; his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality
attractive, but
bizarre looking;
about the general’s face. He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair
powerful and
sharp – lookswas vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military moustache
suggest authority
and wealth were as black as the night from which Rainsford had come. He had high
cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, a spare, dark face, the face of a man used
to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat. Turning to the giant in uniform,
the general made a sign. The giant put away his pistol, saluted, withdrew.
Ivan dependant
on Zaroff; again
shows military
behaviors
Ivan doesn’t
Cossacks are
“Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow,” remarked the general,
speak; is
trained special
savage
forces; Zaroff
“but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple fellow, but I’m
admits to being
(brutal).
savage; like with
Provides
Ivan, this afraid, like all of his race, a bit of a savage.”
characterization
provides
and also
“Is he Russian?”
characterization
foreshadowing
and
“He is a Cossack,” said the general, and his smile showed red
foreshadowing
lips and pointed teeth. “So am I.”
“The Most Dangerous Game” Annotation
Focus on Characterization
Color-mark words and phrases that illustrate indirect characterization of Ivan (hint:
look at adjectives that describe this character). Annotate for the inferences that
can be made based on the indirect characterization.
Remember that In
Color-mark words and phrases that illustrate indirect characterization of Zaroff
(hint: look at adjectives that describe this character). Annotate for the inferences
that can be made based on the indirect characterization.
Write a paragraph about the character Ivan, using your color-marking and
annotations. What kind of person is he? What might the reader expect from such
a person?
Responses may vary
Write a paragraph about the character Zaroff, using your color-marking and
annotations. What kind of person is he? What might the reader expect from such
a person?
Responses may vary
“The Most
Dangerous
Game”
Reading
Checks
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Check (Halfway Check)
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. What is General Zaroff’s prey?
2. How does Zaroff control who lands on his island
3. Where does Zaroff keep his prey and what does he do with them there?
4. What happens to the men who refuse to be hunted?
5. Who is Zaroff’s next prey?
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Check (Halfway Check)
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. What is General Zaroff’s prey?
2. How does Zaroff control who lands on his island
3. Where does Zaroff keep his prey and what does he do with them there?
4. What happens to the men who refuse to be hunted?
5. Who is Zaroff’s next prey?
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Check (Halfway Check)
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. What is General Zaroff’s prey?
2. How does Zaroff control who lands on his island
3. Where does Zaroff keep his prey and what does he do with them there?
4. What happens to the men who refuse to be hunted?
5. Who is Zaroff’s next prey?
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Check (Halfway Check)
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. What is General Zaroff’s prey?
2. How does Zaroff control who lands on his island
3. Where does Zaroff keep his prey and what does he do with them there?
4. What happens to the men who refuse to be hunted?
5. Who is Zaroff’s next prey?
“The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Check (Halfway Check)
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. What is General Zaroff’s prey?
2. How does Zaroff control who lands on his island
3. Where does Zaroff keep his prey and what does he do with them there?
4. What happens to the men who refuse to be hunted?
5. Who is Zaroff’s next prey?
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Final Reading Check
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. At the start of the story, what opinion does Rainsford express to Whitney about how the world is
divided?
2. How is Rainsford’s arrival on the island different from the arrivals of the other hapless sailors?
3. Who is Ivan?
4. What are the terms of Zaroff’s game?
5. How does Rainsford escape Zaroff?
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Final Reading Check
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. At the start of the story, what opinion does Rainsford express to Whitney about how the world is
divided?
2. How is Rainsford’s arrival on the island different from the arrivals of the other hapless sailors?
3. Who is Ivan?
4. What are the terms of Zaroff’s game?
5. How does Rainsford escape Zaroff?
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Final Reading Check
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. At the start of the story, what opinion does Rainsford express to Whitney about how the world is
divided?
2. How is Rainsford’s arrival on the island different from the arrivals of the other hapless sailors?
3. Who is Ivan?
4. What are the terms of Zaroff’s game?
5. How does Rainsford escape Zaroff?
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Final Reading Check
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. At the start of the story, what opinion does Rainsford express to Whitney about how the world is
divided?
2. How is Rainsford’s arrival on the island different from the arrivals of the other hapless sailors?
3. Who is Ivan?
4. What are the terms of Zaroff’s game?
5. How does Rainsford escape Zaroff?
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Final Reading Check
Answer the following questions on your ½ sheet of paper. You do not need to answer in complete
sentences.
1. At the start of the story, what opinion does Rainsford express to Whitney about how the world is
divided?
2. How is Rainsford’s arrival on the island different from the arrivals of the other hapless sailors?
3. Who is Ivan?
4. What are the terms of Zaroff’s game?
5. How does Rainsford escape Zaroff?
What can I help you find?