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

2. What does Nat use as a weapon to beat the birds out of the children’s bedroom?

3. When does Nat most frequently pass time watching the birds?

4. Why doesn’t Nat ride along with Jill?

5. In the story’s opening paragraph, what does the reader learn about Nat Hocken?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nat protect himself from the bird attack as he runs home from Jill’s bus stop?

2. What supplies do the Hockens have at home, and what does Nat list as necessities to buy the next time he’s in town?

3. Who does Nat speak to while at the bus stop, and what is their reaction to his call?

4. During the news broadcast at dinner that night, what insight does the announcer give into the attacks?

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

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

7. How does Nat fight the birds away from his children during the first attack?

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

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

10. What startling sight does Nat see while on the beach?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although it is not explicitly stated, it can be argued that "The Birds" is a reference to the coming Cold War. Do you believe this is an accurate assessment? Why or why not? If so, provide examples from the text to support your claim. If not, explain why the Cold War analogy is made using references from the story. Refute these references.

Essay Topic 2

While "The Birds" is believed to have been allegorical to the Cold War, it is also believed that "The Birds" is a cautionary tale about the environment, or a warning about pushing nature too far. Which of these do you believe to be most accurate? Provide three examples from the text to support your claim. If you believe that "The Birds" is allegorical to all three options, provide one example speaking to each from the text.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample