The Birds

Front 1

1.Why does Nat work only three days a week at the farm?
A.He is wealthy and doesn't need to work full time.
B.He doesn't enjoy working.
C.He has a wartime disability and a pension.
D.The farmer doesn't want him more than three days a week.

Back 1

C.He has a wartime disability and a pension.

Front 2

2.Which of the following details supports the prediction that the birds will attack?
A.There are more of them and they are more daring than usual.
B.Some species of birds are missing.
C.The birds are flying in solitary flight.
D.While they are not great in number, they are more daring than usual.

Back 2

A.There are more of them and they are more daring than usual.

Front 3

3.What is the first attack the birds make?
A.A single bird jabs at Nat when he opens his bedroom
window.
B.A single bird attacks Nat on the way home from the farm.
C.A group of birds gets into the children's bedroom.
D.A bird attacks Nat when he meets Jill on her way from
school.

Back 3

A.A single bird jabs at Nat when he opens his bedroom
window.

Front 4

4.Which of the following best describes foreshadowing?
A.The use of physical description to explain plot events
B.The use of details to describe a character.
C.The use of clues to suggest events to come.
D.The use of details to explain a characters' motives.

Back 4

C.The use of clues to suggest events to come.

Front 5

5.On the morning after the first attack, why does Nat walk his daughter to the bus?
A.He wants to talk to her about the birds.
B.He wants to apologize for allowing the birds into her room.
C.He wants an excuse for not going to work.
D.He is concerned about her safety.

Back 5

D.He is concerned about her safety.

Front 6

6.Which is the following details supports the prediction that Nat would survive the attack?
A.Nat is an exceptionally fast runner.
B.The birds do not tear his eyes.
C.The birds have not yet learned how to attach humans efficiently.
D.The birds are not screeching.

Back 6

B.The birds do not tear his eyes.

Front 7

7.Why does Nat refuse the farmer's offer of a gun?
A.His war experience had made him leery of guns.
B.He knew the farmer would need the gun.
C.He realized that guns would be of no use against a bird attack.
D.He didn't want a gun around the children.

Back 7

C.He realized that guns would be of no use against a bird attack.

Front 8

8.As you read "The Birds", a reasonable prediction to make is that Mr. and Mrs. Triggs will suffer a terrible attack from the birds. Which of the following details DOES NOT support such a prediction?
A.Mrs. Trigg doesn't believe Nat when he tells her about the birds.
B.Mr. Triggs gives Jill a ride home.
C.Mr. Trigg doesn't bother to board his windows.
D.No smoke is coming from the chimney as Nat approaches the farm.

Back 8

D.No smoke is coming from the chimney as Nat approaches the farm.

Front 9

9.Why does Nat suddenly worry about the birds of prey?
A.Birds of prey are likely to be more dangerous than other birds.
B.There are many birds of prey.
C.The birds of prey in England are more dangerous.
D.He has a special fear of birds of prey.

Back 9

A.Birds of prey are likely to be more dangerous than other birds.

Front 10

10.How does Nat keep his wife from worrying?
A.He distracts her by showing her all of the dead birds outside.
B.He keeps her busy making meals and attending to the children.
C.He asks her to help him repair the broken windows.
D.He reassures her by telephoning the neighbors.

Back 10

B.He keeps her busy making meals and attending to the children.

Front 11

11.At times in the story, Nat and his wife look at each other without speaking. What does this tell you about their relationship?
A.They do not really get along.
B.They do not understand each other.
C.They know each other so well they can communicate without speaking.
D.Both are at a loss as to what to say.

Back 11

C.They know each other so well they can communicate without speaking.

Front 12

12.Nat seems disgusted when he hears the news from London on the wireless. Why?
A.He imagined that people weren't taking the situation seriously.
B.The explanation for the birds' behavior was unsatisfactory.
C.There was no new information.
D.He never liked the city or city folk.

Back 12

B.The explanation for the birds' behavior was unsatisfactory.

Front 13

13.What were the droning and crashing noises the Hockens heard?
A.The sounds of airplanes dropping bombs on the birds.
B.The sounds of airplanes crashing.
C.The sounds of trucks along the road.
D.The sounds of the surf beating along the coast.

Back 13

B.The sounds of airplanes crashing.

Front 14

14.Which word best describes the Hocken family at the end of the story?
A.placid
B.apprehensive
C.garish
D.sullen

Back 14

D.sullen

Front 15

15.When the sea is placid, it is
A.disturbed
B.clear
C.calm
D.cold

Back 15

C.calm

Front 16

16.Which word is mostly nearly the same in meaning as sullen?
A.damp
B.below
C.gloomy
D.unkempt

Back 16

C.gloomy

Front 17

17.The setting of the story takes place in
A.England, near the sea, in the country
B.England, by a lake, in the city
C.England, at a farm, by a small town
D.London, in the city, by the sea

Back 17

A.England, near the sea, in the country

Front 18

18.Nat was so upset with himself for forgetting to
A.board the windows
B.cover the chimney
C.bolt the door
D.light the fire

Back 18

B.cover the chimney

Front 19

19.The wind comes from the __________.
A.north
B.south
C.east
D.west

Back 19

C.east

Front 20

20.Nat has time to take care of boarding windows and getting ready when what turns?
A.waves
B.tide
C.wind
D.sea

Back 20

B.tide

Front 21

21.Which is NOT important to the setting of the story?
A.isolation
B.war images
C.suicide missions
D.lack of communication

Back 21

C.suicide missions

Front 22

22.Who is the main character of the story?
A.Mr. Triggs
B.The birds
C.the wife
D.Nat Hocken

Back 22

D.Nat Hocken

Front 23

23.In what specific way does the main character change as a result of the events of the story?
A.He realizes he cannot take care of his family
B.He realizes the futility of trying to control nature
C.He realizes that no one is helping people in the country
D.He realizes he the birds are getting bigger

Back 23

B.He realizes the futility of trying to control nature

Front 24

24.What is the theme of the story?
A.Man cannot do it by himself
B.The birds have brains
C.If no one is going to help, you have to do it by yourself
D.Man cannot control nature

Back 24

D.Man cannot control nature

Front 25

25.What is the conflict in the plot? think about the theme
A.Man vs nature
B.Man vs himself
C.Man vs society
D.Man vs man

Back 25

A.Man vs nature

Front 26

26.Which specific example would NOT support the theme?
A.engulfing tractor
B.the birds coming in the house
C.eating the Triggs
D.the birds gathering and attacking

Back 26

C.eating the Triggs

Front 27

27.What does the fire symbolize in the story?
A.safety, security
B.heat, warmth
C.eating
D.scorching bird

Back 27

A.safety, security