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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. After the first attack, what part of the children’s body does Nat realize the birds were trying to attack?

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

3. When he sees the birds heading inland, who does Nat telephone?

4. Throughout the story, whom does Nat often order to “do what I tell you”?

5. When Nat sees the gulls circling overhead, what do they look like they’re waiting for?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nat’s mental state when he returns home from the bus stop?

2. How does Nat protect himself from the bird attack as he runs home from Jill’s bus stop?

3. What startling sight does Nat see while on the beach?

4. How does Mrs. Hocken react when Nat starts boarding up the windows and doors?

5. What does Nat Hocken do for a living, and why does he enjoy it?

6. What supplies do the Hockens have at home, and what does Nat list as necessities to buy the next time he’s in town?

7. How is the weather described on the morning of the first bird attack?

8. What does Nat think has caused the birds’ strange behavior?

9. Who does Nat speak to while at the bus stop, and what is their reaction to his call?

10. During the news broadcast at dinner that night, what insight does the announcer give into the attacks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In your opinion, why does the story have an ambiguous ending? Is this merely to elicit a reaction from the readers, or does the author have a deeper purpose? Is there an entirely different reason? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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