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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. Bird hints to the doctor that ______________________.

2. Bird and Himiko reminisce about ____________________________.

3. To Bird, the baby represents __________________.

4. What does Bird do when Himiko goes to the shower?

5. What is the state of mind of the main character?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bird's thoughts about his child as a war hero show what Bird really feels about the journey ahead for the child and himself?

2. What is Bird's state of mind at the beginning of the book and what does the first chapter signify for his life?

3. What is important foreshadowing regarding the tests of strength and Bird's encounter with the gang?

4. What does Bird learn about the child's birth when he calls his mother-in-law?

5. What is ironic about Bird's using sex to avoid responsibility?

6. How is Bird's encounter with the gang a boost to his flailing ego?

7. Who is Delchef and how is he introduced into the story?

8. What does Bird's father-in-law give to Bird during the visit and why is this an unlikely offering given Bird's troubles with addiction?

9. How does the doctor exhibit insensitivity toward Bird about the baby on the way to the hospital?

10. How does Bird learn that his child has a problem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A PERSONAL MATTER is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the novle and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,018 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample