CBSE Class VIII English (Poorvi) Unit 5: Science and Curiosity — Feathered Friend Questions and Answers

Feathered Friend

Unit 5: Science and Curiosity | Poorvi | Questions and Answers

Let us do these activities before we read

Feathered and furry friends: a parrot and a rooster (feathered), a cat and a rabbit (furry).

I. 1

Who can a 'feathered' friend be?

A 'feathered' friend is a bird. It can be a pet bird such as a parrot or a canary. In the story, the feathered friend is Claribel, a small yellow canary.

I. 2

Which 'feathered' friend do you like? Why?

Sample answer: I like the canary because it is small, sweet-voiced and cheerful. In the story, Claribel was liked by everyone on the space station and became a general pet. (Answers will differ from student to student.)

I. 3

If you have a choice between a 'feathered' and a 'furry' friend, who would you choose? Why?

Sample answer: I would choose a feathered friend such as a canary. A canary weighs practically nothing and needs very little food, as the story says about Claribel. (Answers will differ from student to student.)

I. 4

Do you think a 'feathered' or a 'furry' friend can accompany astronauts to space? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Sample answer: Yes, a small feathered friend can go to space. In the story, Sven smuggled the canary Claribel to the space station. She weighed practically nothing, her food needs were tiny, and she was not worried by the absence of gravity. (Answers may differ.)

A crew of astronauts inside a spacecraft.

II

Complete the words given below by inserting vowels. Refer to their meanings given alongside.
1. official rule that controls how something is done: R _ G _ L _ T _ _ N
2. to not allow something: F _ R B _ D
3. join or blend to form a single entity: F _ S _
4. suddenly: _ B R _ P T L Y
5. admit one's mistake: C _ N F _ S S
6. a person who advises what to eat to keep healthy: D _ _ T _ T _ _ N

1. official rule that controls how something is done: REGULATION
2. to not allow something: FORBID
3. join or blend to form a single entity: FUSE
4. suddenly: ABRUPTLY
5. admit one's mistake: CONFESS
6. a person who advises what to eat to keep healthy: DIETITIAN

Let us discuss (Parts I and II)

Sven works on girders in space while Claribel the canary flies inside the space station.

I. 1

Why did the narrator think Sven had sneaked a bird aboard? What was Sven's scientific reason?

The narrator says he cannot tell why Sven wanted a pet or why he chose a bird. He only says that the choice was very sensible, because a canary weighs practically nothing, needs very little food and is not upset by the absence of gravity. Sven's scientific reason was his "sheer scientific curiosity". He wanted to see how a bird would operate when it had no weight but could still use its wings.

I. 2

How did Claribel adjust to the new surroundings?

Claribel adjusted very well. She had already learned to move in the absence of gravity. She hung motionless in the air with her wings folded, did a backward loop, and moved with a few leisurely flicks, without doing unnecessary work. She thrived and grew fat.

I. 3

What made the narrator mistake the musical whistle for a sound from the intercom?

The narrator was sitting in his small office and heard a musical whistle beside his ear. He thought it had come over the station intercom, so he waited for an announcement to follow. No announcement came. Instead there was a long and involved pattern of melody.

I. 4

Do you think the presence of the canary would lead the spacers into trouble? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Sample answer: Yes, it might, because keeping a pet was a secret and the crew had to hide Claribel from VIPs visiting from Earth. She also got noisy when she was upset, and the crew had to think fast to explain the peeps and whistles from the ventilating shafts. But in the end she did not lead them into trouble. She saved their lives. (Answers may differ.)

The crew at breakfast in the mess, with one seat vacant.

Claribel the canary in the space station.

II. 1

Identify whether the following statements from parts I and II are true or false. The alarm at the space station failed to work properly because they were not connected.

False. The second alarm circuit was not connected yet, but the single alarm in the circuit had failed to go off because part of the air purifier had frozen up during an eclipse. (The statement is only partly right.)

II. 2

Claribel was brought to the space station for an official experiment on animal behaviour in space.

False. Sven smuggled Claribel up on the last ferry from Earth. It was not an official experiment.

II. 3

The canary's suffering helped the crew discover a problem with the air purifier.

True. Claribel fainted because of the bad air. This made the narrator realise that something was wrong, and the crew found that part of the air purifier had frozen up.

II. 4

The air purifier froze because there was a rare eclipse.

True. The station had one of its rare eclipses by Earth's shadow that night, and part of the air purifier froze up.

II. 5

Claribel could fly gracefully in the space station, performing loops in the air.

True. She did a curious backward loop and moved with leisurely flicks of her wings.

II. 6

The space station crew was uninterested in Claribel and hardly noticed her presence after she was discovered.

False. Claribel became a general pet. The crew loved her. When she fainted, they were distressed and tried to save her.

II. 7

Claribel had fainted and had to be revived with oxygen supply.

True. The crew put Claribel in an oxygen mask and she revived at once.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

A space shuttle, as shown beside the extracts.

Extract 1: "Sven was one of our best construction men..."

1 (i)

What can be inferred about Sven's abilities from his job description?
A. He is good at following instructions but lacks creativity.
B. He possesses a strong understanding of working in space.
C. He struggles with the complexities of construction in space.
D. He prefers working on simpler tasks rather than complex jobs.

B. He possesses a strong understanding of working in space. He was one of the best construction men and excelled at the tricky and specialised work of positioning girders in free fall.

1 (ii)

How can we conclude that Sven was working in zero gravity?

The girders "floated around in free fall". The text also describes a "slow-motion, three-dimensional ballet" to get them into position, and Sven's team could step back and admire their handiwork "without being abruptly parted from it by gravity".

1 (iii)

Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): Sven's job required him to make girders perform a 'three-dimensional ballet' in space.
(R): Working in zero gravity allows objects to float, making precise positioning more challenging.
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.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). The girders float around in free fall, so Sven has to move them slowly into position in three dimensions, which is like a ballet and makes the job skilled and difficult.

1 (iv)

Replace the underlined word with a word similar in meaning from the extract. During the festival, people wore colourful outfits that represented their culture.

garbs. The sentence becomes: "During the festival, people wore colourful garbs that represented their culture."

A canary on a branch.

Extract 2: "Jim!" There's something wrong with the air!...

2 (i)

Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets. The narrator references canaries and miners in order to __________. (highlight the historical use of canaries as warning systems/explain the reason that caused Claribel to faint suddenly)

The narrator references canaries and miners in order to highlight the historical use of canaries as warning systems. Miners used to carry canaries down to warn them of gas.

2 (ii)

Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason. Jim initially dismisses the warning about the air because __________.

Jim initially dismisses the warning about the air because he believes the alarms would have gone off, since the station has duplicate circuits operating independently.

2 (iii)

What does the phrase 'shook Jim' mean in the context of the information in the extract? Jim was _________.
A. physically pushed by someone
B. startled by unexpected information
C. cold and needed to warm up
D. trying to shake off sleepiness

B. startled by unexpected information. Jim learned from his assistant that the second alarm circuit was not connected yet, which upset him, and he left without a word.

2 (iv)

What does the crew's action of passing the oxygen bottle around 'like a pipe of peace' suggest about their response to the situation?

It suggests that the crew took the matter seriously but were also unsure and a little light-hearted. They were arguing about whether the air was bad, and while they waited for Jim's check, they shared the oxygen among themselves. The "pipe of peace" is a humorous comparison for passing the bottle around in a friendly way.

Claribel the canary, who saved the crew, in front of the space station windows.

II. Answer the following questions.

II. 1

What was the purpose of the alarm? What had caused its failure?

The alarm was meant to warn the crew if there was something wrong with the air. It failed because there was an eclipse by Earth's shadow that night, part of the air purifier froze up, and the single alarm in the circuit did not go off. The second alarm circuit was not yet connected.

II. 2

How does the crew's reaction to Claribel change over the course of the story?

At first, the crew did not know about Claribel because Sven kept her secret. When they found out, she became a general pet and they hid her from VIPs. When she fainted, they became distressed and tried to save her with oxygen. At the end, they were grateful to her for saving their lives.

II. 3

What does the last part of the story tell us about the significance of unusual ways of problem solving?

The expensive chemical and electronic engineering failed, but a small canary saved the crew. This shows that simple and unusual methods can work when advanced technology fails. The narrator says that a snatch of birdsong in a space station means you are "doubly safeguarded, at practically no extra expense".

II. 4

Justify the appropriateness of the title of the story.

The title "Feathered Friend" is suitable because the story is about Claribel, a canary, who became a friend and pet to the whole crew. She also proved to be a true friend by warning them of the danger and saving their lives.

II. 5

'Without Claribel, we should soon have been slightly dead.' What does this line suggest about uncertainty of life in space?

The line suggests that life in space is risky and can be uncertain. A small fault, such as a frozen part of the air purifier and a failed alarm, can quickly become a matter of life and death. The crew was saved only because of the canary.

II. 6

Explain how has the writer presented science fiction with a touch of humour.

The story is set in a space station, which is typical of science fiction. The writer adds humour through phrases and situations such as:

• the "cubbyhole laughingly called my office";
• the narrator seeing "stars explode before my eyes" when he hit his head on the angle beam;
• passing the oxygen bottle around "like a pipe of peace";
• Jim's "sheepish" expression;
• the line "we should soon have been slightly dead".

II. 7

How would Sven reflect on his experience of almost losing Claribel and for saving the lives of the entire crew?

Sample answer: Sven would feel very relieved and happy that Claribel survived. He would feel proud and thankful that his small pet had saved the lives of the whole crew. He would also feel that bringing her to the space station, even though it was against the rules, turned out to be a good decision. (Answers may differ.)

Let us learn

I

Choose the appropriate adjectives from the box given below to match with the words 1–8 that follow.
(nagging, vague, delighted, narrow, sluggish, hushed, inexplicable, sheepish)
1. ______ path; 2. ______ worry; 3. ______ plan; 4. ______ look; 5. ______ reason; 6. ______ traffic; 7. ______ voices; 8. ______ expression
Now, underline the sentences that use these adjectives in the text.

1. narrow path
2. nagging worry
3. vague plan
4. delighted look
5. inexplicable reason
6. sluggish traffic
7. hushed voices
8. sheepish expression

Sentences in the text that use these adjectives:

• I had a nagging headache, and vague memories of fitful, disturbed dreams.
• We all waited in hushed silence...
• To our delighted surprise, she revived at once.
• My mind seemed to be very sluggish that morning...
• He came back ten minutes later with a sheepish expression.
• ...don't be surprised if you hear an inexplicable snatch of birdsong.

The adjective 'narrow' appears in the text in "There were a couple of narrow escapes".

II

The word 'intercom' is used in the text. It is called a merged word as it is made by combining the parts of two words—'internal' and 'communication'. Combine the words in Column 1 with the words in Column 2 to make merged words. Write the merged word and its meaning. One example has been done for you.
breakfast + lunch; motor + hotel; smoke + fog; situation + comedy; video + log; spoon + fork; web + seminar

Column 1	Column 2	Merged word	Meaning
breakfast	lunch	(i) brunch	meal eaten between breakfast and lunch hours
motor	hotel	(ii) motel	a hotel for motorists, where they can park their vehicles
smoke	fog	(iii) smog	fog mixed with smoke
situation	comedy	(iv) sitcom	a funny TV show based on everyday situations
video	log	(v) vlog	a blog in the form of videos
spoon	fork	(vi) spork	a utensil that is part spoon and part fork
web	seminar	(vii) webinar	a seminar held over the internet

Note: The chapter gives only the example "brunch". The meanings above are the usual meanings of these words.

III

Read the following sentence from the text and fill in the blank. It will mean that you're being doubly safeguarded. In the given sentence, 'will' denotes __________ (past/present/future) time.

In the given sentence, 'will' denotes future time. It talks about what will happen when you hear birdsong in a space station in the future.

IV

Fill in the blanks with the correct form (Simple Present, Present Progressive, 'will', or 'going to') to indicate future time.
1. Our flight __________ (leave) at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow.
2. They __________ (finish) the project by the end of this week.
3. The weather forecast says it __________ (rain) later today.
4. We __________ (move) into our new house next month.
5. I __________ (start) my new hobby class next Monday.
6. She __________ (go) to the mall this afternoon.
7. The team __________ (have) a meeting at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow.
8. I __________ (help) you with your homework after dinner.

1. Our flight leaves at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow. (Simple Present, for a fixed schedule)
2. They will finish the project by the end of this week. (will; "will have finished" also fits)
3. The weather forecast says it will rain later today. (will; "is going to rain" also fits)
4. We are moving into our new house next month. (Present Progressive, for a fixed plan)
5. I am starting my new hobby class next Monday. (Present Progressive, for a personal arrangement)
6. She is going to go to the mall this afternoon. ("is going" is also correct in informal speech)
7. The team has a meeting at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow. (Simple Present, for a scheduled event)
8. I will help you with your homework after dinner. (will, for an offer or promise)

Artificial intelligence (AI) shown on a laptop screen.

V

Fill in the blanks with the suitable forms of verbs given in brackets to express future time reference.
By 2040, artificial intelligence 1. ________ (revolutionise) medical treatments. Researchers 2. ________ (develop) AI-powered diagnostic tools that 3. ________ (transform) healthcare by the end of this decade. Next week, the International Science Congress 4. ________ (open) to showcase advancements in AI and robotics. In the coming years, robots 5. ________ (assist) surgeons in performing complex operations. Years ago, experts had predicted that AI would reshape our world, and now, as we approach the future, this 6. ________ (be) our new reality.

By 2040, artificial intelligence 1. will have revolutionised medical treatments. Researchers 2. are developing AI-powered diagnostic tools that 3. will transform healthcare by the end of this decade. Next week, the International Science Congress 4. opens to showcase advancements in AI and robotics. In the coming years, robots 5. will assist surgeons in performing complex operations. Years ago, experts had predicted that AI would reshape our world, and now, as we approach the future, this 6. is going to be our new reality.

Notes: Blank 1 uses the Future Perfect ("By 2040" shows completion by a time). Blank 2 uses the Present Progressive for a plan or ongoing work. Blank 4 uses the Simple Present for a scheduled event. Blank 6 may also be "will be".

Let us listen

Toby the Martian talks to his friend Monika.

I

You will listen to a conversation between Monika and Toby. Toby is a Martian and is stranded on Earth. He has become Monika's friend. As you listen, put a tick mark (✓) against the correct statements and a cross against the wrong ones.
1. Toby misses his school.
2. Monika accepts Toby as her friend.
3. Monika asks Toby about one of his facial features.
4. Toby tells Monika that she had a banana for breakfast.
5. Toby shares that he can see much clearer with a closed eye.

1. Toby misses his school. ✗ (wrong). Toby says he misses his people and home.
2. Monika accepts Toby as her friend. ✓ (correct). She says she is happy to have him as her friend.
3. Monika asks Toby about one of his facial features. ✓ (correct). She asks how he can see with only one eye.
4. Toby tells Monika that she had a banana for breakfast. ✗ (wrong). He says she had an apple.
5. Toby shares that he can see much clearer with a closed eye. ✗ (wrong). He says he can see even with his eye closed, not that he sees clearer.

II

Listen to the conversation again and fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear.
1. Toby: I miss my _________ and home.
2. Toby: Well, we _________ don't need to eat anything. We get our _________ from the Sun.
3. Monika: Oh! Don't you ever feel like having ice-creams and _________!
4. Monika: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see only with _________ eye?
5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and _________, woods and even _________.

1. Toby: I miss my people and home.
2. Toby: Well, we Martians don't need to eat anything. We get our energy from the Sun.
3. Monika: Oh! Don't you ever feel like having ice-creams and chocolates!
4. Monika: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see only with one eye?
5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and clouds, woods and even metals. (Blank 2 is "woods" in the question; in the conversation, Toby says "wood".)

Let us speak

I

Read the following words from the text aloud and circle the letters that are not pronounced (silent letters). ballet (ba-lay) [ba pronounced as in bat], whistle (wi-sl), alarm (uh-laam), psychologist (sai-ko-luh-juhst). Now, read some more words with silent letters. As you read, circle the letters that are not pronounced: receipt, debris, pneumonia, almond, foreign, island, wreck, aisle, campaign, fasten.

The silent letters are shown in capital letters inside brackets.

Word	Silent letter(s)
ballet	bal(L)e(T) : the final 't' is silent (ba-lay)
whistle	whis(T)le : the 't' is silent (wi-sl)
alarm	a(L)arm : the 'l' is silent (uh-laam, where the 'r' is also not pronounced in this pronunciation)
psychologist	(P)sychologist : the first 'p' is silent
receipt	rece(P)t : the 'p' is silent
debris	debri(S) : the 's' is silent
pneumonia	(P)neumonia : the first 'p' is silent
almond	a(L)mond : the 'l' is silent
foreign	for(E)i(G)n : the 'g' is silent
island	i(S)land : the 's' is silent
wreck	(W)reck : the 'w' is silent
aisle	ai(S)le : the 's' is silent
campaign	campai(G)n : the 'g' is silent
fasten	fas(T)en : the 't' is silent

Note: The chapter gives only the pronunciation for the first four words. The silent letters in the other words are the usual ones.

II

Work in pairs. Use the given situations to ask for and give suggestions. You need to make a model of the solar system for the Science Exhibition but don't know what materials to use. Ask your friend for suggestions. You need to prepare for the inter-class quiz on the topic Chandrayaan-3. Ask your friend for advice on how to prepare. You may use the prompts given below.

This is a speaking activity. Here are sample conversations using the prompts given in the chapter:

Situation 1: Solar system model

A: What should I do for my solar system model? I don't know what materials to use.

B: I feel you should use thermocol balls for the planets and colour them. It is best to use a cardboard sheet as the base.

A: How can I make sure the planets stay in place?

B: You should ensure that you fix them on thin sticks or hang them with threads.

Situation 2: Chandrayaan-3 quiz

A: What are the best ways to prepare for the inter-class quiz on Chandrayaan-3?

B: It's good to prepare yourself by reading about the mission in books and on reliable websites. If you have an issue with a topic, try asking your teacher.

(Answers will differ from pair to pair.)

Let us write

Social media web showing the internet at the centre, with music, photos, Facebook, X, email, profile and location icons.

I

Complete the social media web given below with the uses of the internet. Now, write an article titled 'The Importance of Internet' with the help of the social media web.

Completing the web (uses of the internet, based on the icons):

• Music icon: listening to music
• Picture icon: sharing and viewing photos and videos
• Facebook and X icons: social media for staying in touch with friends and sharing news or opinions
• Email icon: sending and receiving messages
• Profile icon: creating an online profile and identity
• Location icon: finding places and directions (maps)
• Laptop icon in the middle: searching for information and online learning

Sample article (following the layout given in the chapter):

The Importance of Internet
By [Name of the writer]

The internet is a worldwide network that connects millions of computers and people. Today it has become a part of our daily life, at home, at school and at work.

The internet has many uses. We can send emails and messages, stay in touch with friends on social media, listen to music, share photos, and find places with maps. We can also search for information and learn new things online. For example, a student can look up a topic for a project, and a family can talk to a relative who lives far away. This is why the internet is so important. It saves time and brings the world closer.

The internet is a powerful tool, and we should use it wisely. As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and the internet can give it to everyone who uses it well.

(Answers will differ from student to student.)

Let us explore

Introduction

'A canary in the coal mine' is a popular phrase to describe early signs of potential danger. Coal miners in places like Arunachal Pradesh used canary birds to detect the presence of carbon monoxide. Such gases are a potential risk to the life of the miners. These little birds are particularly sensitive to carbon monoxide and can prevent mining accidents.

This is an information box with no question to answer. The main points are: 'A canary in the coal mine' means an early sign of potential danger. Coal miners used canaries to detect carbon monoxide, a gas that is dangerous to the miners' lives. Canaries are very sensitive to this gas, so they can help to prevent mining accidents. In the story, Claribel warned the crew in the same way.

II

Astronauts living in space stations have to do things differently. Read how they manage the routine tasks in the absence of gravity. You may find out more information about it from the internet.

This is a reading task. The key points from the chapter are:

• Write: Astronauts use a special Space Pen with an ink cartridge in which the ink is combined with resin. The ink remains solid until friction with the ball at the point of the pen liquefies it. It works in all positions, in extreme heat and cold, and in atmospheres from pure oxygen to vacuum.
• Exercise: They use resistance exercise equipment. Weight training is done by applying a load with vacuum cylinders. Running on the treadmill is possible with the body held down by rubber straps.
• Eat: They eat preserved foods (dried, canned, vacuum-packed and frozen), prepared by adding cold or hot water, and some can be heated in an oven. They also eat ready-to-eat items such as nuts, breads and fruits.
• Sleep: They can sleep on a floor, wall or ceiling, as there is no up or down, but they may float away. So they restrain their bodies in small sleeping compartments or sleeping bags.

III

Did you know that animals can save humans from natural calamities? Animals can sense natural calamities. Read the following examples and decide if this is true.

Yes, based on the examples in the chapter, it is true that animals can sense natural calamities:

• In 2004, before a tsunami hit the coast of Indonesia, elephants ran to higher ground, flamingos left low-lying nesting areas and dogs refused to go outdoors.
• Minutes before the Naples quake of 1805, oxen, sheep, dogs and geese started making alarm calls together.
• Migratory birds crossing the Pacific can dodge storms and other hazards.
• In the Gulf of Mexico, sharks sense the drop in barometric pressure before hurricanes and swim to deeper waters. Dolphins have also been seen swimming away from storm-prone areas.

Scientists found that when severe stresses arise in deep rock before an earthquake, ultra-low frequency electromagnetic waves are generated, which animals can sense.

Salim Ali, the 'Birdman of India'.

IV

Salim Ali, the 'Birdman of India', was an Indian ornithologist (a person who studies birds). He was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several books on birds. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1958 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1976.

This is an information box with no question to answer. The main points are: Salim Ali was called the 'Birdman of India'. He was an ornithologist (a person who studies birds), the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India, and he wrote several books on birds. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1958 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1976.

Four bird feeder ideas made from cardboard, chart paper and other materials.

V

We need to conserve our 'feathered' friends. Work in groups of four. Look at the pictures and make a bird feeder with cardboard, chart paper, etc.

This is a group activity. Each group chooses one of the four designs shown in the pictures and makes a bird feeder from cardboard, chart paper and similar materials. For example, a group can make the hanging feeder with a round opening (picture 4) or the house-shaped feeder (picture 2), with a place for food and sticks for birds to perch on. The chapter does not give step-by-step instructions, so groups make the feeder by following the pictures. (Answers will differ from group to group.)