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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 does the angry student realize about Bird?

2. What does Bird notice about one of the doctors?

3. Who tells Bird about the baby's condition at the other hospital?

4. Of what is Bird convinced as he walks through the hospital?

5. What does Bird learn about his son when he sees him in the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bird's state of mind at the beginning of the book and what does the first chapter signify for his life?

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

3. Where does Bird go after leaving his father-in-law's office?

4. What does the glass-eyed doctor tell Bird they will know more about the baby's condition?

5. How does Bird learn that his child has a problem?

6. 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?

7. What is the significance of the students in Bird's class and what do they represent after his in-class vomiting incident?

8. How does Bird's thoughts about his child as a war hero show what Bird really feels about the journey ahead for the child and himself?

9. What seems to exaggerate Bird's feelings of inadequacy at the arcade?

10. Describe the nature of Bird's brief encounter with the transvestite on the street.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 2

Explain what it means that Bird is a man who keeps running away. In what areas does Bird seemingly fail? How does Bird feel about these failures? What is the turning point where Bird refuses to run away any longer?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the novle and note why they are examples of irony.

(see the answer keys)

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