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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 Nat sees the gulls circling overhead, what do they look like they’re waiting for?

2. What does Nat find most annoying about the radio news broadcaster?

3. Who offers to drive Jill home from the bus stop?

4. Why hasn’t Mr. Trigg boarded up his windows against the attacking birds?

5. Which aspect of the birds’ behavior does Nat find most interesting?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Nat rush to the bus stop, early, to meet Jill from school?

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

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

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

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

7. What does Nat Hocken do for a living, and why does he enjoy it?

8. When does Nat typically watch the birds, and what does he notice about them when the story opens?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is unique about the past of the character Nat Hocken? How does his past affect him in the present? Does this set him apart from other characters in the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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