Feathered Friend Extra Questions and Answers Class 8 English Chapter 13

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Feathered Friend Extra Question Answer Class 8 English Chapter 13

Feathered Friend Very Short Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who was Claribel?
Answer:
Claribel was a canary brought by Sven to the space station.

Question 2.
Why did Sven bring Claribel aboard?
Answer:
Sven brought Claribel aboard to study her behaviour in zero gravity.

Question 3.
What caused the air purifier to fail?
Answer:
A rare eclipse froze part of the purifier, causing the air purifier to fail.

Question 4.
How did the crew revive Claribel?
Answer:
The crew revived Claribel by using an oxygen mask.

Question 5.
What historical role did canaries play?
Answer:
Canaries detected toxic gases in coal mines.

Feathered Friend Short Questions and Answers

Question 1.
How did Claribel adapt to the space station environment?
Answer:
Claribel adapted by performing graceful backward loops with minimal wing effort, showing she mastered movement in zero gravity without needing much energy.

Question 2.
Why did the narrator initially mistake ClaribeVs whistle?
Answer:
The whistle’s musical quality and suddenness resembled an intercom announcement, causing the narrator to think it came from the station’s communication system.

Question 3.
How did the crew hide Claribel from VIPs?
Answer:
They concealed her in ventilating shafts and storage bulkheads, using the station’s many hiding places to avoid detection.

Question 4.
What caused the alarm system’s failure?
Answer:
The duplicate circuit wasn’t connected and the space station had one of the rare eclipses from the Earth’s shadow that froze up part of the air purifier and led to the failure of primary alarm in the circuit.

Question 5.
How did Claribel save the crew?
Answer:
Claribel, the canary, saved the crew by detecting a drop in oxygen levels aboard the space station before any of the crew member noticed it. Because Claribel reacted faster to lack of oxygen, the crew was able to take quick action and fix the problem—preventing a major disaster.

Feathered Friend Long Questions and Answers

Question 1.
How does Sven’s decision to bring Claribel to the space station reflect his character, and what impact does this decision have on the crew’s survival in “Feathered Friend”?
Answer:
Sven’s decision to bring Claribel to the space station reflects his curious and experimental nature, as he is a skilled construction man who values scientific observation, wanting to see how a bird would function in zero gravity. This choice initially puts the crew at risk of trouble with the higher- ups, as pets aren’t explicitly allowed, showing his willingness to bend rules for curiosity. However, his decision proves lifesaving when Claribel faints due to bad air, alerting the crew to the air purifier’s malfunction, which their alarms fail to detect. Without Sven’s bold move, the crew might have perished, highlighting how his character indirectly ensures their survival through Claribel’s unexpected role.

Question 2.
Discuss how the malfunction of the air purifier in “Feathered Friend” highlights the limitations of technology in space, and explain Claribel’s role in overcoming this challenge.
Answer:
The malfunction of the air purifier in “Feathered Friend,” caused by an eclipse, exposes the limitations of technology in space, as the crew’s advanced alarms fail to detect the issue due to an unconnected second circuit. This failure underscores the vulnerability of relying solely on machines in such a harsh environment, where small errors can be fatal, as the narrator notes, “Without Claribel, we should soon have been slightly dead.” Claribel, a small canary, overcomes this challenge by fainting near the air vent, her sensitivity to bad air acting as a natural warning system that the technology misses. Her role teaches the crew to value biological indicators, ultimately saving their lives and shifting their trust from machines to nature.

Question 3.
In “Feathered Friend,” how does Claribel’s ability to adapt to zero gravity contribute to her relationship with the crew, both practically and emotionally?
Answer:
Claribel’s ability to adapt to zero gravity, performing pretty loops and moving faster with a flick of her wings, makes her a practical asset on the space station, as she navigates the environment more easily than the crew. This agility allows her to move around the station quickly, which is useful during the crisis when she faints near the air vent, alerting the crew to the air issue. Emotionally, her graceful movements bring joy to the crew, who are delighted by her loops, fostering a sense of companionship in the isolated setting of space. Over time, this practical and emotional connection deepens their bond, leading to her official recognition as a crew member with a badge after she saves their lives.

Question 4.
Explain the significance of the title “Feathered Friend” in the context of the story, focusing on Claribel’s role and the bond she forms with the crew.
Answer:
The title “Feathered Friend” perfectly captures Claribel’s dual role as both a bird and a true friend to the space station crew, emphasising her significance in the story. As a ‘feathered’ canary, she brings a touch of nature to the sterile environment of space, while her actions—fainting to warn the crew of bad air—demonstrate her loyalty and lifesaving friendship. The crew’s initial secrecy about her presence and their eventual acceptance of her as an official member with a badge reflect the deepening bond they form with her. The title underscores the story’s central message that friendship can come from unexpected sources, like a small bird, and be vital for survival in challenging circumstances.

Question 5.
How does the theme of unconventional problem-solving emerge in Feathered Friendparticularly through ClaribeVs actions and the crew’s response to the crisis?
Answer:
The theme of unconventional problem¬solving emerges in “Feathered Friend” through Claribel’s natural sensitivity to bad air, which detects a crisis that the space station’s advanced technology fails to identify. When the air purifier malfunctions due to an eclipse and the alarms don’t work because of an unconnected circuit, Claribel’s fainting near the air vent serves as a critical warning, saving the crew from a deadly situation. The crew’s response, quickly using an oxygen mask to revive her and addressing the air issue, shows their ability to adapt and rely on this unexpected solution. This incident highlights the story’s message that sometimes traditional or natural methods, like a bird’s instincts, can solve problems in ways that modern technology cannot, especially in the unpredictable environment of space.

Feathered Friend Competency Based Questions

Question 1.
Imagine you are Sven. Write a journal entry reflecting on bringing Claribel to the space station and the events that followed.
Answer:
Today, I can’t help but feel a mix of guilt and pride. Bringing Claribel was a risky move, driven by my curiosity about how a bird would fare in zero gravity. Her graceful loops amazed me, but I never imagined she’d save us. When she fainted, my heart sank, thinking I’d lost her. But her collapse revealed the air purifier’s failure—a fault our alarms missed. Without her, we might not be here. I’m grateful for her, but I’ll be more cautious next time. Curiosity is powerful, but space is unforgiving.

Question 2.
Analyse how ClaribeVs presence reflects real-world applications of animals in hazardous emnronments.
Answer:
Claribel’s role mirrors the historical use of canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide, as their sensitivity to toxic gases provided early warnings. In the story, her fainting due to bad air saves the crew, showing how animals can serve as biological indicators in environment where technology may fail. This parallels real-world practices, like using dogs to detect explosives or dolphins for underwater mine detection, highlighting the reliability of animals in critical situations.

Feathered Friend Extract Based Questions and Answers

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. To the best of my knowledge, there’s never been a regulation that forbids one to keep pets in a space station. No one ever thought it was necessary-and even had such a rule existed, I am quite certain that Sven Olsen would have ignored it. Actually he was a wiry little fellow, like most of the early spacers, and managed to qualify easily for the 150-pound bonus that kept so many of us on a reducing diet. Had he been built otherwise, his chances of getting a job in space would have been very slim. (Page 207)

Question 1.
What does the narrator say about rules for pets on the space station?
(a) There are strict rules against pets.
(b) There are no rules about pets.
(c) Pets are allowed only for scientists.
(d) Sven made the rules for pets.
Answer:
(a) There are strict rules against pets.

Question 2.
Fill in the blank.
Sven qualified for the 150-pound bonus because he was thin and ______.
Answer:
wiry

Question 3.
State Whether True or False.
Sven would have followed any rule against pets.
Answer:
False. (The narrator says Sven would have ignored rules).

Question 4.
Why might Sven have ignored a rule about pets?
Answer:
Sven might have ignored a rule because he wanted to keep Claribel or study her in space.

2. I first became aware that Claribel was aboard when I was sitting in the little cubbyhole laughingly called my office, checking through my lists of technical stores to decide what items we’d be running out of next. When I heard the musical whistle beside my ear, I assumed that it had come over the station intercom, and waited for an announcement to follow. It didn’t; instead, there was a long and involved pattern of melody that made me look up with such a start that I forgot all about the angle beam just behind my head. (Page 208)

Question 1.
Where was the narrator when he first heard Claribel?
(a) In the kitchen.
(b) In his office.
(c) In the control room.
(d) Outside the station.
Answer:
(b) In his office.

Question 2.
Fill in the blank.
The narrator initially thought Claribel’s whistle was the sound of an ______.
Answer:
intercom.

Question 3.
State Whether True or False.
The narrator was reading a book when he heard Claribel.
Answer:
False. (He was checking lists, not reading a book).

Question 4.
What was the narrator doing in his office?
Answer:
The narrator was checking lists of technical stores.

3. She was a small yellow canary, hanging in the air as motionless as a hummingbird—and with much less effort, for her wings were quietly folded along her sides. We stared at each other for a minute; then, before I had quite recovered my wits, she did a curious kind of backward loop I’m sure no earthbound canaiy had ever managed, and departed with a few leisurely flicks. (Page 208)

Question 1.
What colour was Claribel, the canary?
(a) Blue.
(b) Red.
(c) Yellow.
(d) Green.
Answer:
(c) Yellow

Question 2.
Fill in the blanks.
Claribel moved in the air by doing a ______.
Answer:
backward loop

Question 3.
State Whether True or False.
Claribel’s wings were flapping when the narrator first saw her.
Answer:
False. (Her wings were folded, not flapping).

Question 4.
How did Claribel look when the narrator first saw her?
Answer:
When the narrator first saw Claribel, she appeared as a small yellow canary, hanging motionless in the air, much like humningbird. Her wings were quietly folded along her sides, and she was suspended in the air with little effort.

4. “Where’s Sven?” I asked, not very much caring. “He’s looking for Claribel,” someone answered. “Says he can’t find her anywhere. She usually wakes him up.” Before I could retort that she usually woke me up, too, Sven came in through the doorway, and we could see at once that something was wrong. He slowly opened his hand, and there lay a tiny bundle of yellow feathers, with two clenched claws sticking pathetically up into the air. (Page 210)

Question 1.
Why was Sven looking for Claribel?
(a) She was making too much noise.
(b) She was missing and didn’t wake him.
(c) She needed food.
(d) She was playing a game.
Answer:
(b) She was missing and didn’t wake him.

Question 2.
Fill in the blank.
When Sven opened his hand, he showed Claribel’s feathers and ______.
Answer:
claws

Question 3.
State Whether True or False.
The narrator was happy when Sven came in.
Answer:
False. (The narrator and crew were worried, not happy).

Question 4.
What did Claribel look like in Sven’s hand?
Answer:
Claribel was a tiny bundle of yellow feathers with clenched claws.

Feathered Friend Extra Questions for Practice

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
What was Sven’s profession on the space station?
(a) Cook
(b) Construction worker
(c) Psychologist
(d) Engineer

Question 2.
Why was Claribel’s weight an advantage in space?
(a) She could carry heavy loads
(b) She needed little food
(c) She flew faster
(d) She was easier to train

Question 3.
What did the crew do when Claribel fainted?
(a) Ignored her
(b) Gave her food
(c) Used an oxygen mask
(d) Sent her to Earth

Question 4.
What does “cubbyhole” refer to in the story?
(a) A large office
(b) A small enclosed space
(c) A storage tank
(d) A control room

Question 5.
What lesson does the story teach about technology?
(a) It is always reliable
(b) It can fail unexpectedly
(c) It replaces animals
(d) It is unnecessary in space

Fill in the Blanks

1. Claribel was a ___ bird brought by Sven.
2. The crew used ___ to revive Claribel.
3. The air purifier failed due to a ___.
4. Sven’s job involved positioning ___ in zero gravity.
5. Claribel’s whistle was mistaken for the ___.

State Whether True or False

1. Claribel was noisy when upset.
2. The narrator was the station’s engineer.
3. The crew was unaware of Claribel initially.
4. The eclipse caused a power outage.
5. Claribel’s presence was kept a secret from the crew.

Assertion and Reason Question

Two statements are given—Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read them carefully and choose the correct option.
1. Assertion (A): Claribel’s fainting was a critical warning for the crew.
Reason (R): Her sensitivity to bad air indicated a problem with the air purifier.
Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What was the name of the canary in the story?

Question 2.
Why did the crew hide Claribel?

Question 3.
What caused Claribel to faint?

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How did the crew react when they found Claribel unconscious?

Question 2.
Why was Sven’s build suitable for space work?

Question 3.
What role did the eclipse play in the story?

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss how Claribel’s presence changed the crew’s perception of her over time.

Question 2.
Explain the significance of the phrase “a canary in the coal mine” in the story.

Competency-Based Question

Question 1.
If you were a crew member on the space station, how would you propose using animals or other unconventional methods to enhance safety measures, based on Claribel’s role in the story?