The Psychology of Video Game Design

The author most likely wrote this selection to explain -

• how to excel at playing video games

• the process of video game development

• challenges people face when playing video games

• why video games are so popular

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RI 7.6

Which definition most closely matches the way the word "designed" as it is used here:

But gamers have an edge: unlike the real world, video games are designed to get us into this state as quickly as possible - and keep us there.

• 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

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L 7.4

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

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RI 7.5

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

Imagine your brain is like a backpack.

• Conversational

• Humorous

• Encouraging

• Curious

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RI 7.6

Which definition most closely matches the way the word focus is used in paragraph 8?

Flow requires focus. The games we love force us to concentrate at just the right level—but in order to get us in the zone, they must direct our concentration in the right way, too.

• 1. a center of activity

• 2. directed attention

• 3. a state or condition permitting clear understanding

• 4. a point at which rays converge

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L 7.4

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

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RI 7.5

Which two of the following help the reader predict what the section "Reward" will be about?

• The reference to the dragon that was described in the introduction

• The author's tone toward the ways that games affect players

• The discussion of brain activity in the previous sections

• The sudden shift in the author's perspective

• The subheading for the section

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RI 7.5

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

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RI 7.3

Decide if the sentence from the text below states the author's perspective or provides factual information.

It's completely unfair. (paragraph 1)

• author's perspective

• provides factual information.

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RI 7.6

Decide if the sentence from the text below states the author's perspective or provides factual information.

But some games are better than others. (paragraph 4)

• author's perspective

• provides factual information.

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RI 7.6