Get in the Zone: 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 development

• to describe challenges people face when playing video games

• to explain why 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

Read this sentence based on the selection.

By focusing on their task, a state of flow can help video game players win a challenge.

Which revision corrects the misplaced modifier?

• A) By focusing on their task, a challenge can be won by video game players in a state of flow.

• B) By focusing on their task, winning a challenge helps video game players reach a state of flow.

• C) By focusing on their task, video game players can reach a state of flow and win a challenge.

By focusing on their task, video game players can reach a state of flow and win a challenge.

• True

• False

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

What tone does the author create by comparing our brains to backpacks in paragraph 6?

• Conversational

• Humorous

• Encouraging

• Curious

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?

• 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

Which two things help the reader predict what the section “Reward” will be about?

• The reference to being lost in a game dungeon

• The description of the similarities between games and real life

• The discussion of brain activity in the previous sections

• The sudden shift in the author’s perspective

• The heading of the section

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