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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. After battling birds in the kitchen, what does Nat ask his wife for?

2. Which animals are described as “distressed” when Nat arrives at the farm?

3. While driving home from the farm, whose body does Mrs. Hocken spot, and request Nat drive carefully around?

4. What part of Mrs. Trigg’s body does Nat see and immediately know she is dead?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Mrs. Hocken chide Johnny about during dinner in the story’s final section, and why is this ironic?

5. Why does Nat drive through the second gate to his home after leaving the Trigg farm?

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

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

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

9. Why doesn’t Nat feel bad about stealing supplies from the Trigg farm, and how much does he gather?

10. Why does Nat feel a sense of admiration for the birds?

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

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.

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