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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Nat whistle and sing while preparing dinner for his family?
(a) He is happy about the broadcast.
(b) He doesn’t know what else to do.
(c) He doesn’t want to frighten them.
(d) He always whistles when he’s nervous.

2. Where does Nat find the farmhand’s body?
(a) On the lawn.
(b) In the barn.
(c) In the garage.
(d) In the house.

3. According to the announcer, what is the most important step citizens should take to protect themselves against the bird attacks?
(a) Stock up on guns and ammo.
(b) Ensure they have enough food and water.
(c) Nothing – they should go about their regular lives.
(d) Barricade their homes.

4. Before signing off for the afternoon, when does the announcer promise to resume broadcast?
(a) Midnight.
(b) 7 o’clock am.
(c) 6 o’clock pm.
(d) Noon.

5. After turning off the wireless, what time do the children finally fall asleep?
(a) Noon.
(b) 8:30 am.
(c) Midnight.
(d) 4 o’clock pm.

6. How many journeys does Nat make between the farm and his home, loading up his car with supplies?
(a) 4.
(b) 3.
(c) 2.
(d) 5.

7. What does Nat do with the bird bodies he finds in his yard?
(a) He stacks them on the windowsills to enforce the barricades.
(b) He leaves them to rot.
(c) He stores them for fire kindling.
(d) He takes them to the beach for burial.

8. Why does Nat worry about the cows during the bird attacks?
(a) He doesn’t want them to get stolen
(b) They're penned in and cannot escape
(c) They need to be milked
(d) The birds are killing livestock

9. After the frightening broadcast, what meal does Nat make to cheer his children?
(a) Grilled hot dogs.
(b) Beans on toast.
(c) Spaghetti and meatballs.
(d) Toasted cheese.

10. After the third attack, what emotion overcomes Nat?
(a) Anger.
(b) Admiration.
(c) Apathy.
(d) Amusement.

11. Before the final attack, what does Nat mistake the swarm of gulls as?
(a) The Navy.
(b) An airplane.
(c) A wave.
(d) Clouds.

12. What does Nat worry about when he turns the wireless off?
(a) Saving the radio battery.
(b) How he will hear the news.
(c) Whether he has frightened the children.
(d) What happened to the news announcer.

13. What detail about the Trigg farm initially fills Nat with misgiving?
(a) The lack of smoke coming from the chimney
(b) The broken windows
(c) The bloody animals in their pens
(d) The eerie silence on the farm

14. What excuse does Nat give when the morning news announcement fails to broadcast?
(a) The birds must have killed the announcer.
(b) The announcer must have forgotten.
(c) He must have heard the time wrong.
(d) The birds must be clogging up the airwaves.

15. What music, coming from the wireless radio, alerts Nat that something is wrong?
(a) Patriotic music.
(b) Rock music.
(c) Classical music.
(d) Dance music.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Nat exits the house to collect supplies, what does he notice about the land birds?

2. Why does the character in question 74 think an army attack would be a waste?

3. After the second attack, how many birds litter Nat’s yard?

4. According to Nat’s calculation, how long will each “lull” between attacks last?

5. What reason does Nat give Jill as to why the birds won’t attack them on their way to the farm?

(see the answer keys)

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