Feathered Friend Study Guide

10. When the narrator of “Feathered Friend” says, “Half a million dollars’ worth of chemical and electronic engineering had let us down completely,” what does he most likely mean?

• Engineering is never an exact science.
• No one should trust his or her life to scientists.
• Despite costly technology, systems still do fail.
• The entire space program is expensive but flawed.

9. Which of these quotations from “Feathered Friend” best supports that "early spacers" were "wiry little fellows" because space and supplies on the space station are limited?

• [T]here’s never been a regulation that forbids one to keep pets in a space station.
• [A] space suit is not the most convenient of garbs in which to work.
• [I] was sitting in the little cubbyhole laughingly called my office….
• A space station has more hiding places than you can count….

14. How does this excerpt from “Feathered Friend” connect most clearly to one of the themes of the story?

• It refers to an unexpected natural event.
• It shows the excitement of manned space travel.
• It explores the narrator’s concerns about bad air.
• It reveals that technology is not always dependable.

13. How does the title of “Feathered Friend” hint at one theme of the story?

• It suggests that Claribel’s existence is important to the crew.
• It points out one key difference between birds and humans.
• It reminds the reader of the delicate nature of animals.
• It compares bird flight to human flight.

15. Which of the following statements best expresses one of the themes of “Feathered Friend”?

• Humans are meant to explore and discover new worlds.
• Sometimes the oldest, simplest solution is the most valuable.
• One should always choose teamwork over personal ambition.
• A bird does not change its feathers because the weather is bad.

1. In the opinion of the narrator in “Feathered Friend,” why is Claribel a “sensible” choice as a pet for Sven? Choose two options.

• She weighs very little.
• She sings quite beautifully.
• She is good company for Sven.
• Lack of gravity does not affect her.
• She gets a bit noisy when she is upset.

2. In “Feathered Friend,” when does the narrator first realize that Claribel is aboard the space station?

• when Sven runs in with a tiny bundle of feathers
• when Sven informs the whole crew
• when a flash of yellow flies past
• when he hears the bird singing

3. What happens after the crew revives Claribel in “Feathered Friend”?

• The crew waits in hushed silence.
• She flies around the space station.
• She chirps but then keels over again.
• The crew goes back to eating breakfast.

4. In “Feathered Friend,” why do crew members pass around an oxygen bottle?

• to celebrate Claribel’s recovery
• to keep themselves from losing consciousness
• to determine how much oxygen each person needs
• to remind each other of their loyalty and friendship

5. As the narrator awakens on the morning described in “Feathered Friend,” he has a headache. What is the most likely reason for that headache?

• a night of bad dreams
• confusion between day and night
• lack of oxygen in the space station
• illness spread by close contact with birds