The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell Get ready to take part in a shocking hunt. “The Most Dangerous Game” is a short story full of suspense and surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

READING SKILLS: MAKING PREDICTIONS Before you read “The Most Dangerous Game,” take a few minutes to make predictions using a “plot impression.” Plot impressions work like this: You are given some details from the story. Then you weave the details together to create an impression of the plot as you predict it might be. Here are the details for your plot impression of “The Most Dangerous Game.” What do you predict “the most dangerous game” is? Key Details *Rainsford, who is a big-game hunter *Man overboard *Ship-Trap Island *General Zaroff, who is another hunter *Fierce dogs *A trap

The actual plot: Rainsford, a big-game hunter, falls over- board and swims to Ship-Trap Island. There he finds another hunter, named Zaroff. When Zaroff shows Rainsford the fierce dogs guarding his chateau, Rainsford realizes he is a captive. Zaroff hunts the most dangerous game—man. Zaroff offers Rainsford a sporting proposition. Zaroff will hunt Rainsford. If Rainsford gets away, he will be free. Rainsford turns the tables and sets a trap for Zaroff. In the end, Rainsford wins “the most dangerous game.”

Vocabulary Development The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

Receding Becoming more distant. Disappearing. He could see the ship going away from him, receding in the distant. (Receding Hairline)

Disarming Removing or lessening suspicions or fears. Charming. “Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with a smile he hoped was disarming.

Prolonged Extended. A lot of time. Zaroff’s whole life was one prolonged hunt.

Imprudent Unwise. Foolish. Bad choice. After the revolution in Russia, Zaroff left the country, for it was imprudent for an officer of the czar to stay there.

Surmounted Overcame. Got over it. The general smiled the quiet smile of one who has an obstacle and surmounted it with success.

Unruffled Calm. Not disturbed. Relaxed. Zaroff appeared unruffled, even when Rainsford called him a murderer.

Invariably Always. Without Change. Zaroff said that his captives invariably choose the hunt.

Diverting Entertaining. The deadly hunt was a diverting game to Zaroff.

Impulse Sudden desire to do something. Instinct. Rainsford had to control his impulse to run.

Protruding Sticking out. The protruding cliffs blocked Rainsford’s sight of the ocean.

PREFIXES: IMPORTANT BEGINNINGS Prefixes are word parts added to the beginnings of words. Although prefixes consist of just a few letters, they are powerful and can greatly change the meaning of a word. To the right are prefixes you’ll come across often in your reading. Recognizing these prefixes will help you figure out the meanings of many words that might be new to you.