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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Nat take with him from the shed when he picks Jill up from the bus stop?
(a) A shovel.
(b) A hoe.
(c) A shotgun.
(d) An axe.

2. What haunting sound does Nat hear when the birds start to attack on his way home from the bus stop?
(a) The screams of his neighbors.
(b) The smash of automobiles crashing.
(c) The beating of wings.
(d) The birds’ screeching cry.

3. As he watches the birds fly closer, what does Nat realize is their target?
(a) The hospital.
(b) The church.
(c) The farm.
(d) The school.

4. Where does Nat deposit the bird bodies collected from his home?
(a) In a dumpster.
(b) On the beach.
(c) In the river,
(d) At the farm.

5. What does Mr. Trigg do for a living?
(a) He is a farmer.
(b) He is a schoolteacher.
(c) He is a scientist.
(d) He is a newscaster.

6. Why doesn’t Mrs. Hocken immediately open the door for Nat when he runs home?
(a) She doesn’t hear him knocking.
(b) The newscaster told her not to open it.
(c) The door is jammed.
(d) She's too afraid.

7. After the first attack, what color is used to describe the morning sky?
(a) Purple.
(b) Orange.
(c) Blue.
(d) Gray.

8. At three o’clock, Nat sees that the sky is “colorless.” What does he compare it to?
(a) Teeth.
(b) Salt.
(c) Snow.
(d) Feathers.

9. How many days does Nat work on the farm?
(a) 6.
(b) 1.
(c) 7.
(d) 3.

10. When he sees the birds heading inland, who does Nat telephone?
(a) The operator.
(b) The police.
(c) The prime minister.
(d) The news broadcaster.

11. Why hasn’t Mr. Trigg boarded up his windows against the attacking birds?
(a) He didn’t have enough time.
(b) He doesn’t believe they’ll attack.
(c) He has hung barbed wire instead.
(d) He thinks his dogs will scare them off.

12. When Nat sees the gulls circling overhead, what do they look like they’re waiting for?
(a) The tide.
(b) Orders.
(c) Prayers.
(d) Prey.

13. According to the narrator, what “changed overnight” at the story’s opening?
(a) Nat’s heart.
(b) The world.
(c) The weather.
(d) The politics.

14. Which aspect of the birds’ behavior does Nat find most interesting?
(a) Their migration.
(b) Their fighting.
(c) Their mating.
(d) Their eating habits.

15. How many birds does Nat kill during the attack in the children’s bedroom?
(a) 200.
(b) 50.
(c) 20.
(d) 100.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Nat use as a weapon to beat the birds out of the children’s bedroom?

3. What lighthearted offer does Mr. Trigg make to Nat for the next morning?

4. Who does Mrs. Trigg suggest Nat should call to find out the reason behind the bird attacks?

5. During which month does the story open?

(see the answer keys)

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