CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Literary Elements
Vocabulary in Context
Text Evidence & Inference
Author's Craft
100

What is Sven Olsen's job in the space station?

  • A. Cook-doctor-dietitian
  • B. Construction worker
  • C. Station commander
  • D. Engineer


Answer: B. Construction worker

100

What is the setting of this story?

  • A. A submarine
  • B. A space station
  • C. A mining operation
  • D. A skyscraper


Answer: B. A space station

100

What does "intercom" (paragraph 4) most likely mean?

  • A. A communication system
  • B. A computer program
  • C. A security alarm
  • D. A musical instrument


Answer: A. A communication system

100

Based on the story, why did early spacers tend to be small in size?

  • A. To fit into small spaces
  • B. To qualify for a weight bonus
  • C. To consume less oxygen
  • D. To move more quickly in space


Answer: B. To qualify for a weight bonus

100

What literary device is used in "half a million dollars' worth of chemical and electronic engineering had let us down completely"?

  • A. Personification
  • B. Simile
  • C. Metaphor
  • D. Alliteration


Answer: A. Personification

200

Why did Sven bring Claribel to the space station?

  • A. He was lonely
  • B. Out of scientific curiosity
  • C. To impress his coworkers
  • D. To break station rules


Answer: B. Out of scientific curiosity

200

Which narrative point of view is used in "Feathered Friend"?

  • A. Third-person omniscient
  • B. First-person
  • C. Third-person limited
  • D. Second-person


Answer: B. First-person

200

 In paragraph 9, what does "VIPs" stand for?

  • A. Very Intelligent People
  • B. Verified Inspection Personnel
  • C. Very Important Persons
  • D. Visiting Inspection Professionals


Answer: C. Very Important Persons

200

What evidence suggests that having pets in space stations was unusual?

  • A. The lack of regulations against pets
  • B. The crew hiding Claribel from visitors
  • C. Claribel's difficulty adapting to space
  • D. The narrator's surprise at seeing Claribel


Answer: B. The crew hiding Claribel from visitors

200

What is the author's purpose in describing Claribel's movements in zero gravity?

  • A. To provide comic relief
  • B. To help readers visualize life in space
  • C. To explain scientific principles
  • D. To criticize space exploration


Answer: B. To help readers visualize life in space

300

Describe two physical characteristics of Sven Olsen mentioned in the story.


Answer: Sven is described as a "wiry little fellow" who qualified for the "150-pound bonus," rather than being the stereotypical "six-foot-six Nordic giant" that his name might suggest.

300

Identify the climax of the story and explain why this moment is significant.


Answer: The climax occurs when the narrator realizes that something is wrong with the air system and that Claribel's collapse is a warning. This moment is significant because it reveals the danger the crew is in and shows how Claribel inadvertently saved their lives.

300

In paragraph 15, "apologetically" suggests that Jock Duncan feels:

  • A. Angry
  • B. Sorry
  • C. Confused
  • D. Excited


Answer: B. Sorry

300

What clues in the text suggest that the story takes place during early space exploration?


Answer: Clues include the mention of a "150-pound bonus" indicating weight restrictions, the incomplete safety systems (the second alarm circuit wasn't connected), and the narrator's comment about "who would dream of looking for a canary in a space station" suggesting space stations were novel. The background note also places the story in the 1950s during early space exploration.

300

How does the author build suspense when Claribel falls ill?


Answer: The author builds suspense by first showing Sven's distress, then describing the crew's attempts to revive Claribel with oxygen. When she briefly recovers and then "keels over again," tension increases. The narrator's sluggish thinking and gradual realization creates further suspense as readers begin to understand the danger before the characters do. The sequence of events leads to the dramatic moment when the narrator connects Claribel's condition to the miners' canaries, revealing the life-threatening situation.

400

How does the narrator's attitude toward Claribel change throughout the story?


Answer: At first, the narrator is surprised and confused when encountering Claribel. Later, the narrator becomes fond of her, referring to her as a "general pet." By the end, the narrator is grateful to Claribel for saving their lives.

400

Which theme is BEST supported by the story's conclusion?

  • A. Technology is more reliable than nature
  • B. Space exploration is inherently dangerous
  • C. Nature and technology can work together
  • D. Rules should never be broken


Answer: C. Nature and technology can work together

400

Explain the meaning of the phrase "pipe of peace" in paragraph 22 and why the oxygen bottle is compared to this.


Answer: A "pipe of peace" refers to a ceremonial pipe passed among participants to seal peace agreements, especially in Native American traditions. The oxygen bottle is compared to this because the crew members are passing it around to share amongst themselves while they discuss the situation, similar to how a peace pipe would be shared in a circle during important conversations.

400

Based on text evidence, explain why Claribel was particularly well-suited as a pet in space.


Answer: According to the text, Claribel was well-suited because she "weighed practically nothing," had "tiny" food requirements, and most importantly, "was not worried, as most animals would have been, by the absence of gravity." She quickly adapted to moving in zero gravity and could maneuver with "a few leisurely flicks" of her wings, doing movements like "a backward loop" that earthbound canaries couldn't perform.

400

Analyze how the author uses contrasts in the story to develop ideas about space exploration.


Answer: The author contrasts expected versus reality (Sven's physical appearance), Earth versus space (construction work in different environments), technology versus nature (sophisticated systems versus a simple canary), and human expectations versus actual outcomes (assuming safety systems work versus their failure). These contrasts highlight the uniqueness of space environments, the adaptation required, and how both high-tech and natural solutions are valuable in space exploration. The contrast between the high cost of safety equipment and the free protection provided by Claribel also emphasizes unexpected solutions in space.

500

Analyze how Sven's relationship with Claribel reveals aspects of his character.


Answer: Sven's relationship with Claribel shows his curiosity, care, and emotional attachment. He brings her aboard partly for scientific reasons but develops a personal connection, showing distress when she's ill. His willingness to break rules by smuggling her aboard reveals his independent nature and determination.

500

Compare and contrast how both technology and nature function as protective elements in the story.


Answer: Technology provides protection through complex systems like air purifiers and alarm circuits, but fails due to an eclipse and system malfunction. Nature, represented by Claribel, provides protection through the canary's natural sensitivity to air quality. While technology is engineered but fallible, Claribel's natural biological response serves as a simple but effective backup system. The story suggests that the best protection comes from combining technological systems with natural safeguards.

500

 In paragraph 24, what does the narrator mean by "we'd soon have been slightly dead"? Analyze the author's word choice and tone in this phrase.


Answer: The phrase "slightly dead" is an oxymoron that uses understatement and dry humor to describe the serious situation. Death is binary—one is either dead or alive—so "slightly dead" creates irony. This dark humor reflects the narrator's matter-of-fact attitude toward the dangers of space and creates a contrast between the casual tone and the life-threatening situation they narrowly avoided.

500

What can you infer about the relationship between technology and human survival in space based on the events in the story?


Answer: The story implies that despite advanced technology, human survival in space is precarious and dependent on multiple backup systems. When sophisticated air purifiers and alarm systems failed, a simple canary detected the danger. This suggests that even with cutting-edge technology, basic biological systems remain valuable. The story also implies that human ingenuity—like Sven bringing Claribel aboard—sometimes provides unexpected solutions to space survival challenges. While technology creates the possibility of space habitation, its fallibility requires constant vigilance and adaptability.

500

 How does Arthur C. Clarke blend scientific knowledge with storytelling techniques in "Feathered Friend," and what effect does this create for the reader?


Answer: Clarke blends scientific knowledge and storytelling by incorporating accurate physics principles (zero gravity, air purification systems) while using literary techniques like characterization, humor, and suspense. He explains technical concepts through story events rather than exposition (showing how birds move in zero gravity rather than explaining the physics). This blend makes scientific concepts accessible and engaging while maintaining narrative momentum. Clarke's casual, conversational narrator grounds fantastical elements in relatable human experiences. By combining scientific plausibility with engaging narrative, Clarke creates a story that entertains while subtly educating readers about space environments, fostering wonder about space exploration that was particularly relevant during the "Golden Age of Science Fiction" mentioned in the introduction.