Class 8 English - UP
Prose: Feathered Friend
Feathered Friend is an engaging prose chapter prescribed for Class 8 students under the UP Board. It tells a fascinating science-fiction tale set aboard a space station, highlighting how a small canary named Claribel becomes an unexpected savior for the astronauts by detecting a dangerous oxygen leak long before electronic monitors do. The chapter teaches students about space exploration, the importance of all living creatures in our ecosystem, and the role of quick thinking during emergencies. For UP Board exams, questions from this chapter test reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the ability to summarize the moral of the story.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting of the Story
The story is set in a space station orbiting Earth, showcasing life in zero gravity and the challenges astronauts face.
Claribel the Canary
Claribel is an uninvited yet beloved pet bird brought aboard the space station who serves as an early warning system for oxygen depletion.
The Oxygen Failure
A sudden malfunction in the air circulation system causes oxygen levels to drop dangerously without setting off the electronic alarms.
The Bird's Warning
Claribel faints due to the lack of oxygen, alerting the crew to the invisible and silent danger just in time.
Rescue and Appreciation
The astronauts quickly fix the ventilation system and revive Claribel, realizing that traditional animal instincts sometimes surpass modern technology.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the UP Board Class 8 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include reading comprehension passages with short-answer questions, vocabulary matching, word meanings, and character sketching of the narrator or the significance of Claribel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the author of Feathered Friend?
The chapter is written by the famous science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke.
Why did the astronauts bring a canary into space?
Canaries are very sensitive to changes in air quality, making them ideal living detectors for dangerous gases or low oxygen levels before electronic sensors catch them.
How did Claribel save the crew?
Claribel fainted when the oxygen levels dropped due to a ventilation failure, which immediately alerted the astronauts to the hidden danger so they could fix it.
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