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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which character thinks an army attack against the birds would be a “waste of life”?
(a) Nat Hocken.
(b) Mrs. Trigg.
(c) Mr. Trigg.
(d) Mrs. Hocken.

2. What detail about the Trigg farm initially fills Nat with misgiving?
(a) The eerie silence on the farm
(b) The lack of smoke coming from the chimney
(c) The broken windows
(d) The bloody animals in their pens

3. If the family lasts through the next attack, what does Nat plan to add to the windows to reinforce his barricade?
(a) Broken glass.
(b) Bars.
(c) Corrugated metal.
(d) Barbed wire.

4. What is the name of the farmhand killed on the Trigg farm?
(a) James.
(b) Jack.
(c) John.
(d) Jim.

5. During the “special” dinner Nat’s prepared, how many birds break in?
(a) 2.
(b) 10.
(c) 5.
(d) None.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many journeys does Nat make between the farm and his home, loading up his car with supplies?

2. Whose body is found next to the Triggs’ telephone?

3. Where does Nat find the farmhand’s body?

4. While collecting supplies, what reason does Nat realize the birds have for not attacking him?

5. When Mrs. Hocken hears droning during dinner, what does she think it is?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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