Name: ____________________

Grade 8 story test

The Most Dangerous Game
Part one: short answers 8
1. In the story, Rainsford sets a trap using a knife. With this in mind, read the
excerpt below and answer the questions:
“He shinned excitedly up a tree and looked back. His pursuers had stopped. But the
hope that was in Rainsford's brain when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow
valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, driven by the
recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed.”
1. What has happened to Ivan?
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2. What evidence do you have to prove your answer?
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2. Read the excerpt below and answer the questions.
The general sucked in his breath and smiled. "I congratulate you," he said. "You have
won the game." Rainsford did not smile. "I am still a beast at bay," he said, in a low,
hoarse voice. "Get ready, General Zaroff." The general made one of his deepest bows. "I
see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will
sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford." . . . He had never slept in a better
bed, Rainsford decided.
1. What happens to General Zaroff at the end of the story?
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2. What evidence do you have to prove your answer?
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 3. "Oh," said the general, "I give him his option, of course. He need not play that
game if he doesn't wish to. If he does not wish to hunt, I turn him over to Ivan.
Ivan once had the honor of serving as official knouter to the Great White Czar,
and he has his own ideas of sport. Invariably, Mr. Rainsford, invariably they
choose the hunt."

A1. What can you infer will happen to General Zaroff’s “huntees” if they do not choose
to hunt?
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A2. What evidence do you have to prove your answer?
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B1. What does General Zaroff consider to be the most dangerous game?
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B2. What can you infer about General Zaroff’s financial (money) situation?
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C1. Who said the following: "Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede, who'd go up to
the devil himself and ask him for a light. Those fishy blue eyes held a look I never saw
there before. All I could get out of him was `This place has an evil name among seafaring
men, sir.' Then he said to me, very gravely, `Don't you feel anything?'--as if the air about
us was actually poisonous. Now, you mustn't laugh when I tell you this--I did feel
something like a sudden chill. ___________________
Part 2: label : label the below diagram with the correct sequence of event 5
1. a. Rainsford follows the sound of gunshots to an island.
b. Rainsford finds a house. He meets and eats dinner with general Zaroff. He meets
ivan too.
c. Zaroff explains that he hunts humans as “The most dangerous game”. He plans to
hunt Rainsford.
2. Rainsford sleeps in Zaroff’s bed. We can infer that he killed Zaroff.
3. In the Caribbean Sea, Rainsford a hunter, falls off a yacht into the sea.
4. The men fought.
5. Rainsford hides in Zaroff’s bedroom and confronts him.
Part 3: multiple choice: 11

 Which best describes the theme of The Most Dangerous Game?

a) The tables can turn at any time.

b) Friends can come together in unexpected places.
c) Revenge is always the answer.
d) Never underestimate your family.

 The setting of The Most Dangerous Game is...

a) Zaroff's house
b) New York City
c) Ship Trap Island
d) The Sumerian Jungle

 What type of conflict is presented in The Most Dangerous Game?

a) man vs. nature

b) man vs. self
c) man vs. man
d) all of the above

 Who is the protagonist?

a) Zaroff
b) Ivan
c) Bob
d) Rainsford

 Who is the story's antagonist?

a) Ivan
b) Zaroff
c) Rainsford
d) Harrison Bergeron
  Which of the following best describes the climax of The Most Dangerous Game?

a) When Rainsford first finds himself shipwrecked

b) When Rainsford runs into Zaroff
c) When Zaroff explains that he enjoys hunting people as sport
d) When Rainsford jumps into the water to make his final escape

 Which quote from The Most Dangerous Game could be labeled as irony?

a) "The paddling sound of feet on the soft earth..."

b) "He lived a year in a minute..."
c) "The world famous game hunter was now being hunted as game himself..."
d) "The impulse to cry aloud with joy..."

 True or False: Rainsford survives the hunt.

a) True
b) False

 True or False: Rainsford and Zaroff are fighting for the same goal.

a) True
b) False

 Judging by the actions of Zaroff and Ivan, you can infer that...

a) They have a conflict between themselves.

b) They have a conflict between themselves and Rainsford.
c) There is no conflict at all.
d) They have separate conflicts.

 What is the plot of The Most Dangerous Game?

a) Rainsford must escape Zaroff, a crazy Russian who is trying to hunt him as a sport.
b) Zaroff is shipwrecked and must find his way home.
Answer Key
1.a
2.c
4.d
5.d
6.b
7.d
8.c
9.a
10.b
11.b
12.a