"Get in the Zone: The Psychology of Video Game Design" Quiz

The author most likely wrote this selection —

• to persuade readers to devote time to playing video games
• to inform readers about the process of video game are developed from beginning to end
• to describe challenges people face when playing video games
• to explain why certain video games are so popular

Read the dictionary entry below for the word design. design \dĭ-zīnʹ\ v 1. to conceive in the mind; to invent 2. to formulate a plan for 3. to make a graphic representation of (something) 4. to create for a particular purpose or effect Which definition most closely matches the way the word designed is used in paragraph 4?

• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 3
• Definition 4

The author includes the section subheading “Challenge” to show —

• why video games require skill in order to be finished
• why people try to complete tasks in a video game as quickly as possible
• why people purchase so many different types of video games
• why video games increase in difficulty as players become more skilled

Read the dictionary entry below for the word focus. focus \fō'kəs\ n 1. a center of activity 2. directed attention 3. a state or condition permitting clear understanding 4. a point at which rays converge Which definition most closely matches the way the word focus is used in paragraph 8?

• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 3
• Definition 4

Read this excerpt from paragraph 9. That’s because focus, our ability to pay attention, is like a flashlight beam—it can only shine on one or two things at a time. Based on the cause-and-effect structure used by the author, what can the reader predict will be discussed next in this paragraph? **If you're not sure, look at paragraph 9 for what follows this statement.

• What happens when we try focusing on several things at once
• Why there are no effective ways to focus on things
• The reasons people have difficulty maintaining focus
• How focus can be maintained even when doing many things at a time

The author includes the detail about micro-rewards in paragraph 13 to explain —

• how game designers reward players for reaching the ultimate goal
• how focus helps to create flow for gamers
• how rewards for small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals
• how the brain produces the chemical dopamine

What is the purpose of the bulleted points under the heading “Psychological Edge: Tips for Gamers.”?

• They give readers advice about how to play video games better and enjoy them more.
• They list and rate several popular video games.
• They present the author’s main points regarding “flow.”
• They summarize the kinds of rewards that players of video games like best.