Unit 5: Get in the Zone: 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

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

Read the dictionary entry below for the word designed.

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

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?

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

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

• By focusing on their task, reaching a state of flow helps video game players win a challenge.

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

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

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

• why people purchase so many different types of video games

• why people try to complete tasks in a video game as quickly as possible

• why video games increase in difficulty as players become more skilled

• why video games require skill in order to be finished

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.K.5

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

• encouraging

• curious

• conversational

• humorous

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

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?

• 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

• What happens when we try focusing on several things at once

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

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

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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

• how the brain produces the chemical dopamine

• how rewards for small tasks lead to accomplishing big goals

• how focus helps to create flow for gamers

• how game designers reward players for reaching the ultimate goal

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A
Which phrase describes the author’s main purpose for including the feature at the end of
the text?

• To suggest that gamers should avoid distractions while playing

• To provide readers with ways to use psychology to improve their gaming skills

• To suggest that gamers should play at the appropriate difficulty level

• To provide readers with methods for making their gaming goals more manageable

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.K.5