Most Dangerous Game:最危险的游戏

Most Dangerous Game

Literary Analysis SkillBuilder

Conflict

Most stories are built around a central conflict, or struggle between people, or betweem

people and nature, an obstacle, or society. Sometimes the struggle may go on inside a

character. An external conflict involves a character pitted against an outside force. An

internal conflict occurs when the struggle takes place within a character’s own mind.

List instances of each kind of conflict in the story. Then answer the questions.

Internal Conflict

Zaroff

Rainsford

External Conflict

Person vs. Person

Person vs. Nature

Person vs. Obstacle

Follow Up: Which conflicts added the most excitement to the story? Which revealed

something important about one of the characters? Explain. Why do you think Connell

included the other conflicts that you identified?

The Most Dangerous Game

Words to Know SkillBuilder

Words to Know

Affable deplorable elude scruple tangible

Amenity disarming imperative solicitously uncanny

Condone droll quarry stamina zealous

A. On each blank line, write the word from the word list that the clue describes.

1.

This is a word politicians always seem to use to describe the living conditions in slums. _____________

2.

This is a word you would hope people you want to make friend with would use to describe you. ________________

3.

This describes the air of confidence that calms your worries about a surgeon’s skill. ________________

4.

This is something that isn’t a necessity but is nice to have(like a salt shaker or a telephone). _______________

5.

This might be the word you’d choose to describe a person who seemed able to read your mind. ________________

6.

This describes a book but not the ideas in it, a flower but not its smell, a valentine but not the feeling it gives you.

________________

7.

This is how one says, “Are you sure you’re all right? Can I do anything to help?〞 _________________

8.

This describes those things you really must have and those things you really must do. _______________

B. For each phrase in the first column, find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning.

Write the letter of that phrase in the blank.

_____ 1. regretful prey A. elude the rude

_____ 2. zealous protection B. condone cologne

_____ 3. a droll rabbit C. a sorry quarry

_____ 4. permit perfume D. pupil’s scruples

_____ 5. student’s morals E. a funny bunny

_____ 6. a fish’s endurance F. intense defense

_____ 7. avoid the unmannerly G. a salmon’s stamina

C. Write a description of General Zaroff using at least five of the Words to Know.

The Most Dangerous Game

Grammar SkillBuilder: Choosing Precise Verbs

Key Concept: Experienced writers often avoid using such common verbs as be, have, make, go, say, and lie.

Instead they use more precise verbs to clarify meaning, create vivid images, and strengthen the mood of

their writing.

Precise Verbs

Verbs are the most powerful words in sentences. They convey action, movement, and sometimes the drama

of thoughts and observations. When revising your writing, try to make your ideas as clear as possible. For

example, in the following sentences the verb wanders is more precise and conveys a more vivid image than

the verb walks.

Common Verbs: He walks along the narrow deck.

Precise Verb: He wanders along the narrow deck.

Activity:

Replace each underlined verb in these sentences with a verb that creates a more vivid picture. Make sure

that the verbs you select agree in number with their subjects.

1. Rainsford is in a steamer chair on the deck in the quiet Carribbean night, when suddenly the

distant sound of gunfire startles him.

2. Rainsford stands up and moves quickly to the railing.

3. He gets up on the railing.

4. Losing his balance, he falls into the warm sea waters.

5. After swimming strenuously to shore, he pulls himself out of the water.

6. Two nights of fear go by at a snail’s pace.

7. He lies out on a tree limb so he can watch through a screen of leaves.

8. Rainsford stops there with every muscle ready to spring.

9. Like popping a balloon, the air comes from Rainsford’s lungs.

10. He knows it is useless to walk through the dense jungle at night.