“Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell Page 16

1. “Most Dangerous Game”by Richard ConnellPage 16 CCRS – RL.9-10.1; Rl.9-10.3; RL.9-10.4; RL.9-10.5; RL.9-10.10; W.9-10.3; W.9-10.4; W.9-10.10; SL.9-10.1; L.9-10.1; L.9-10.2; L.9-10.3; L.9-10.4; L.9-10.6 Literary Skills – Understand foreshadowing Reading Skills – Make predictions

2. The Most Dangerous Game Literary Focus: Foreshadowing Foreshadowing is the use of clues that hint at later events in the story. Foreshadowing • creates suspense • makes you curious, even anxious, to know what happens next—it keeps you turning the pages

3. The Most Dangerous Game Reading Skills: Making Predictions When you read a suspense-filled story, you make predictions about what is going to happen, often without even realizing it. A prediction is a type of inference or a guess based on evidence. Predictions may be based on • clues the writer plants • your own experiences in life • your understanding of how stories work

4. The Most Dangerous Game Reading Skills: Making Predictions The titles of stories and any illustrations can also provide clues about the story. • What do you predict the title of this famous adventure story might mean? • What do the illustrations hint at?

5. The Most Dangerous Game Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary recedingv. used as adj.: becoming more distant. disarmingadj.: removing or lessening suspicions or fears. prolongedv. used as adj.: extended. imprudentadj.: unwise. surmountedv.: overcame. unruffledadj.: calm; not disturbed.

6. The Most Dangerous Game Vocabulary Previewing the Vocabulary invariablyadv.: always; without changing. divertingadj.: entertaining. impulsen.: sudden desire to do something. protrudingv. used as adj.: sticking out

7. The Most Dangerous Game Vocabulary Vocabulary Activity Answer the following questions with yes or no. • Does a man with a receding hairline have much hair? • Would a disarming leader be able to calm an angry crowd? • Would you be displeased if a vacation was prolonged? • Is it imprudent for bicyclists to wear helmets? • Would you admire a person who surmounted a difficulty? no yes no no yes

8. The Most Dangerous Game Quickwrite Make the Connection Some of the most exciting narratives pit villain against hero in a life-or-death struggle. The tension in such stories often depends as much on the character of the bad guy or gal as on that of the hero. Write a few sentences describing a villain from a novel, story, or movie. Why does the character fascinate you?

9. “Most Dangerous Game” • What clues at the start of the story foreshadow danger for Rainsford? • What details about the description of Zaroff foreshadow the truth about his nature? • Describe the rules of Zaroff’s game. • What collection does Zaroff keep in his library? • List the maneuvers Rainsford uses to try to win the game. • Who wins the game? How do you know?

10. Activity P. 36 The Sequel In the morning, Rainsford awakes in Zaroff’s bed. What happens next? Write a sequel to Rainsford’s adventure. Does he stay on Ship-Trap Island and turn it into a theme park? Does he go home with a new taste for danger? You might let Rainsford tell his own story, using “I.” (minimum 1 page)