The Art of Creating Suspense: Central Ideas of Two Authors
Question 4 • MO-English Language Arts 9 B-CR
Read the excerpt from "The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell.So intent was the Cossack on his stalking that he was upon the thing Rainsford had made before he saw it. His foot touched the protruding bough that was the trigger. Even as he touched it, the general sensed his danger and leaped back with the agility of an ape. But he was not quite quick enough; the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut living one, crashed down and struck the general a glancing blow on the shoulder as it fell; but for his alertness, he must have been smashed beneath it. He staggered, but he did not fall; nor did he drop his revolver.
Answer
A
Rainsford hides instead of trying to wound General Zaroff.
B
Rainsford’s female companion sets the trap for General Zaroff.
C
General Zaroff injures Rainsford with an arrow.
D
General Zaroff avoids the trap Rainsford sets.
Explanation
Rainsford has set a trap using a dead tree balanced on a cut living tree. Zaroff senses danger and leaps back, so the falling tree only glances off his shoulder instead of crushing him. This shows that General Zaroff avoids the trap Rainsford sets, though he is slightly injured.
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