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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 third attack, what room does Nat realize the birds have broken into?

2. Upon arriving at the Trigg farm, what does Nat notice about the sheep?

3. How does Nat enter the Trigg home?

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

5. After the second attack, what does Nat realize is controlling the birds’ behavior?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why happens that leads Nat to realize the necessity of keeping a fire burning in the kitchen chimney at all times?

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

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

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

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

8. How does Nat feel about the army sending reconnaissance forces to battle the birds?

9. How does the radio music change during the attacks, and what does this signify?

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

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

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?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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