hunting wild animals and began hunting humans on Ship-Trip Island to satisfy his desires.

Student , this is a prediction question, meaning you are allowed to speculate, or make your best guess. What do you think of when you hear the words "dangerous" and "game," for instance? Different pictures may come to mind, such as fire or sports, but in the end, when a teacher asks you to "predict" something, whatever you feel might happen is your best answer.

In this case, one might predict that the characters are going to engage in a competition that is hazardous, even fatal. If you have not yet read the story, there is no way you will know just what that competition is, therefore, feel free to offer your own opinion within your answer.

The title "The Most Dangerous Game" has a dual meaning.  First, it can refer to the most dangerous competition one can partake in.  This could be General Zaroff's hunting "game" that he plays with captured humans.  In his mind, the rules of the game are fair because he feels he prepares his opponents well by feeding and caring for their physical well-being before the challenge begins. He views this as being "civilized". 

The second meaning can refer to the most dangerous animal being hunted.  In this case, man is dangerous game because he can think and strategize.  Rainsford is the most dangerous game because he is a seasoned hunter, unlike the sailors that Zaroff has amused himself with in the past.  Rainsford knows how to build traps, much to the delight of Zaroff.  Even though the general does not fall for the traps (yet his servant does), he is impressed with Rainsford's knowledge and willingness to survuve.  When Zaroff belives that Rainsford has given up the game and killed himself, Zaroff underestimates his quarry.  He lets his guard down and is ultimately taken down by the most dangerous game... Rainsford.

It did not take long for me to think that the most dangerous game would be a game of hunting humans.  The story gave a few clues. 

First, the name of the island that Rainsford was passing, "Ship-Trap Island" gave me an uneasy tone.  The story immediately did not bode well.  I know that something evil was going to take place. Moreover, the thought of marooned sailors came to mind.

Second, the conversation between Whitney and Rainsford introduced the idea that all living things could be classified either as hunter or huntee.  This ominous statement immediately made me wonder if humans were included as well. 

Third, when Rainsford met Zaroff, it became fairly clear that Zaroff was not sane.  The juxtaposition of cultivation and savagery in Zaraoff made me feel very uneasy.  That he wanted to hunt humans, therefore, was not surprising.

Finally, the theme of the hunter becoming the hunted is fairly common.  All of this is to say the story, though very well-written, was predictable.  

"The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell, is a short story that turns the tables on who is prey and who is predator, showing how the hunter can become the hunted. The story opens on a ship, as two characters stand on deck and discuss where they are heading, a place called Rio. A minor character and hunter named Whitney talks with Rainsford, the protagonist, who is a noted author and respected international hunter. As Whitney and Rainsford stand on the ship's deck, they bandy about legends surrounding their foreboding destination, especially rumors of a nearby island sailors refer to as "Ship Trap Island." The implication is that they are in a dangerous setting and the ship could become trapped. The easy banter turns to the topic of hunting—the reason for their expedition—and Whitney ponders how the animals must feel during the hunt. Rainsford coldly dismisses his musings, saying, "they [the animals] have no understanding." After Whitney leaves the deck to retire for the night, Rainsford looks out over the vast, mysterious water. Just as he lights his pipe, he hears a loud noise and topples overboard into the dark sea. Rainsford's attitude and the discussion of Ship Trap Island both foreshadow important events to come.

Connell's thriller about a hunter who quickly transforms into the prey of a "most dangerous game" opens with a discussion of what makes a hunter between Sanger Rainsford and his friend,  This story follows the plot outline of Freytag. That is, there is an exposition, which is a part of the rising action that has a complication, the point where the protagonist encounters some conflict. Then, this information rises to a crisis.

Exposition

On board a smalll vessel that is headed down the Amazon River in search of jaguar, Rainsford and his friend Whitney discuss whether the jaguar understands fear, and Rainsford, laughs, calling this idea "Nonsense." This remark contains much dramatic irony, of course. Bidding Whitney good-night, Rainsford remains on board. But, when he hears a gun three times, Rainsford rushes to the railing of the ship. As he does so, he knocks his pipe against the ropes; he tries to catch it, but accidentally falls overboard into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

After swimming to the shore, Rainsford, exhausted, falls asleep. He is awakened by the sun and pistol shots. Seeing boot prints on the ground, Rainsford follows them until he arrives at a chateau, whose knocker he uses (rising action). A huge man with a menacing  look comes to the door.(complication) and behind him approaches a bizarre man with a cultivated voice. This is General Zaroff who invites Rainsford to dine with him.After dinner, Rainsford learns that he is to become the prey in the general's dastardly hunt. (conflict)

"I'll cheerfully acknowledge myself defeated if I do not find you by midnight of the following day.....My sloop will place you on the mainland near a wreck." Zaroff tells in "kindly tones" that are anything but "kind".

Setting

This hunt, the "most dangerous game" finds Rainsford as the prey--the "beast at bay." He must run through the tropical growth and swamp of Shipwreck Island on the Caribbean. The chateau of the general sits high on a cliff.

Most likely what your teacher is looking for here is a brief summary of the plot to the story “The Most Dangerous Game.” When a teacher asks for the “essence” of something they want their students to discuss the most important aspect of it. In other words, don’t give dozens of details, give the main idea and a few supporting points.

Since we usually teach plot as a four or five part structure, your teacher might not want you to address each part on its own (in other words, don’t say “these things happen in the basic situation, these in the rising action, these in the climax, these in the falling action, and finally these in the resolution.”)

For the story “The Most Dangerous Game” you might start by writing, “A man finds himself shipwrecked on an island inhabited by a famous hunter. Unknown to him, the hunter plans on setting the man loose in the jungle and then hunting him down.” A few more lines about what happens next should communicate the “essence” of the plot.

The other questions that you asked should be submitted as individual questions.