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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. When he sees the birds heading inland, who does Nat telephone?

2. Who suggests that the army should shoot the birds out of the sky?

3. On the story’s first evening, what wakes Nat from sleep?

4. During the first attack, how long does Nat battle against the birds in the bedroom?

5. What haunting sound does Nat hear when the birds start to attack on his way home from the bus stop?

Short Essay Questions

1. What theory does Mrs. Trigg present as the origins of the strange birds?

2. What does Nat find irritating about the radio announcer’s voice, and why?

3. How does Nat dispose of the bird carcasses that litter his yard after the first attack?

4. What does Mrs. Hocken think the army should do to battle the birds, and what is Nat’s reaction to his wife’s idea?

5. When do the birds first draw blood from Nat?

6. How is the weather described on the morning of the first bird attack?

7. How does Mr. Trigg help the situation when Jill arrives at the bus stop?

8. What is Nat’s mental state when he returns home from the bus stop?

9. What does Nat think has caused the birds’ strange behavior?

10. How does Mrs. Hocken react when Nat starts boarding up the windows and doors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Symbolism is an important element of "The Birds." Find three symbolic elements, incidents, or objects in the story. Explain how the elements are symbolic and why they are important.

Essay Topic 2

In your opinion, why does the story have an ambiguous ending? Is this merely to elicit a reaction from the readers, or does the author have a deeper purpose? Is there an entirely different reason? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

What is the initial response toward the bird attacks by the authorities? Why do they respond in the way that they do? What suggestions does Nat have for dealing with the birds? Are the birds ever dealt with? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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