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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. While collecting supplies, what reason does Nat realize the birds have for not attacking him?
(a) They are only interested in small children.
(b) The attacks have mysteriously stopped.
(c) They are waiting for the tide to turn.
(d) They are gorged with food.

2. What does Nat realize the droning during dinner really is?
(a) The birds.
(b) Trigg’s truck.
(c) Fighter planes.
(d) Gunfire.

3. Which animals are described as “distressed” when Nat arrives at the farm?
(a) The cows.
(b) The chickens.
(c) The horses.
(d) The pigs.

4. Why does Mrs. Hocken forbid Nat from gathering supplies at the Trigg home?
(a) It's too dangerous.
(b) She doesn’t want to be left alone.
(c) She doesn’t like the Triggs.
(d) She thinks they have enough supplies as it is.

5. In the face of impending attacks, what does the announcer ask the population to do?
(a) Embrace their loved ones.
(b) Remain calm.
(c) Fight like hell.
(d) Pray.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Nat’s calculation, how long will each “lull” between attacks last?

2. What does Nat do with the Triggs’ bodies before returning home?

3. What music, coming from the wireless radio, alerts Nat that something is wrong?

4. How many children do the Triggs have?

5. Why does Nat worry about the cows during the bird attacks?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What state are Mr. and Mrs. Trigg in when Nat arrives at their house?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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