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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. Before the final attack, what is the Hocken family eating for dinner?

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the crucial supplies Nat seeks to collect?

3. According to the announcer, what is the most important step citizens should take to protect themselves against the bird attacks?

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

5. In the face of impending attacks, what does the announcer ask the population to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nat decide to take his family with him to the Trigg farm in search of supplies?

2. When Nat leaves the house for the first time to gather supplies, what does he notice about the birds?

3. What is Nat doing as the story comes to a close?

4. How have the farm animals, on both the Hocken and Trigg properties, been affected by the attacks?

5. Who is Jim, and how was he killed?

6. Why does silence fill the Hocken house after the third attack, and what does this mean?

7. How does Nat use the bird corpses to reinforce his barricades, and how does he feel about this?

8. How does the Hocken family respond to the six o’clock news announcement?

9. How has the radio announcer’s voice changed in the 6 o’clock broadcast?

10. What does Nat realize is the force behind the bird attacks, and what does this mean to his survival planning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does "The Birds" reflect the theme of "man versus nature"? Do you believe this is the dominant theme in the story? Why or why not? If so, provide examples from the story which support your point. If not, explain what theme is dominant in the story. Provide examples to support your point.

Essay Topic 2

How does Nat's relationship with his wife and family differ both before and after the attack of the birds? Why is this so?

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)

This section contains 813 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample