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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What condition does the new baby have?

2. What did Bird do the summer after he got married?

3. What is the baby's prognosis?

4. References are made about ________________ giving birth.

5. Where does Bird go with the doctor to take the baby?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bird doing at the beginning of A PERSONAL MATTER? What is going on with Bird's wife and how does Bird think his life will soon change?

2. What does Bird think about after he leaves the shop and how does he avoid learning about the birth of his child?

3. What does Bird's father-in-law give to Bird during the visit and why is this an unlikely offering given Bird's troubles with addiction?

4. What is unusual about the doctor who speaks to Bird about the baby?

5. In what ways could the women at the maternity hospital be symbolized as angels?

6. What is ironic about Bird's using sex to avoid responsibility?

7. Who is Delchef and how is he introduced into the story?

8. How does the doctor exhibit insensitivity toward Bird about the baby on the way to the hospital?

9. What is significant about Bird's hangover and vomiting in class?

10. What is the significance of Himiko's character in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the internal conflict Bird feels about his life. Does he not want to be married? Does he not want a child? Does he really just want to run away to Africa and forget his responsibilities? Why did Bird engage in a relationship with his wife if he was not ready?

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Bird's life. What is his relationship with his son? What is his relationship with his wife? Have his dreams of going to Africa been completely squelched? What is Bird's state of mind? How does Bird feel about himself now?

Essay Topic 3

Coming of age is an important theme in A PERSONAL MATTER. Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,118 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample