NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 14 Magnifying Glass

Let us do these activities before we read.

1. Work in pairs and discuss the questions given below. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. Who can a ‘feathered’ friend be?

Answer: A ‘feathered’ friend can be any bird, like a sparrow, parrot, or canary.



2. Which ‘feathered’ friend do you like? Why?

Answer: I like parrots because they are colourful and can mimic sounds.



3. If you have a choice between a ‘feathered’ and a ‘furry’ friend, who would you choose? Why?

Answer: I would choose a furry friend like a cat because they are playful and loving.



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

Answer: A feathered friend can accompany astronauts to space. For example, canaries are sensitive to air changes and can help detect problems.

2. Complete the words given below by inserting vowels. Refer to their meanings given alongside. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. official rule that controls how something is done: REGULATION
   Answer: Regulation
2. to not allow something: FOR BID
   Answer: Forbid
3. join or blend to form a single entity: FUSE
   Answer: Fuse
4. suddenly: _B RUP T L Y
   Answer: Abruptly
5. admit one’s mistake: CON FES S
   Answer: Confess
6. a person who advises what to eat to keep healthy: DIE T IT IA N
   Answer: Dietitian

Let us discuss

1. Answer the following questions briefly.
   1. Why did the narrator think Sven had sneaked a bird aboard? What was Sven’s scientific reason?

   Answer: The narrator suspected Sven had sneaked a bird because he heard a strange chirping. Sven’s scientific reason was that birds, like canaries, can warn people about changes in air quality.

   
   
   2. How did Claribel adjust to the new surroundings?

   Answer: Claribel adjusted well to the space station, exploring it, flying around in zero gravity, and soon becoming comfortable with her new home.

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

   Answer: The narrator mistook the musical whistle for a sound from the intercom because the noise was unfamiliar and seemed to be coming from within the station’s equipment.

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

   Answer: No, the canary’s presence did not lead to trouble; instead, Claribel helped the spacers by warning them of the failing air purifier, thus saving their lives.

   
   

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.
  Answer: True
• Claribel was brought to the space station for an official experiment on animal behaviour in space.
  Answer: False
• The canary’s suffering helped the crew discover a problem with the air purifier.
  Answer: True
• The air purifier froze because there was a rare eclipse.
  Answer: False
• Claribel could fly gracefully in the space station, performing loops in the air.
  Answer: True
• The space station crew was uninterested in Claribel and hardly noticed her presence after she was discovered.
  Answer: False
• Claribel had fainted and had to be revived with oxygen supply.
  Answer: True

Let us think and reflect

1. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
   1. What can be inferred about Sven’s abilities from his job description?

   Answer: Sven is skilled and resourceful, able to solve technical problems, and thinks creatively, as seen by bringing Claribel to the station.

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

   Answer: Sven moved and worked effortlessly in space, as described in the narrative, indicating he was in zero gravity.

   
   
2. Answer the following questions.
   1. What was the purpose of the alarm? What had caused its failure?

   Answer: The alarm was supposed to alert the crew of any problem with the air purifier. The failure was due to the alarm not being connected properly.

   
   
   2. How does the crew’s reaction to Claribel change over the course of the story?

   Answer: Initially surprised and curious, the crew gradually grew fond of Claribel and realised her importance after her warning saved them.

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

   Answer: Sometimes, unexpected or unconventional solutions, like a canary in a space station, can effectively solve problems that technology might miss.

   
   
   4. Justify the appropriateness of the title of the story.

   Answer: The title ‘Feathered Friend’ is apt as the bird (Claribel) truly becomes a helpful companion by saving the astronauts’ lives.

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

   Answer: It highlights the unpredictability and risk of living in space, where even small problems can become life-threatening without timely warning.

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

   Answer: The writer uses a light and playful tone, showcasing funny situations like hiding a canary in a space station along with serious themes of survival.

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

   Answer: Sven would feel relieved and proud for having brought Claribel, as her presence turned out to be crucial for the survival of the whole crew.

   
   

Let us learn

I. Choose the appropriate adjectives from the box below to match with the words 1–8 that follow.

• nagging
• vague
• delighted
• narrow
• sluggish
• hushed
• inexplicable
• sheepish

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

Merged Words

Magnifying Glass Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 14 – Key Concepts

The Ncert Solutions Class 8 English Poorvi Chapter 14 Magnifying Glass helps students build a clear understanding of the poem’s metaphorical expressions and vocabulary. Mastering these solutions makes exam preparation easier and boosts overall confidence in English.

By regularly revising Magnifying Glass Class 8 questions and answers, learners improve their comprehension skills. Each exercise deepens your grasp of word meanings, merged words, and idiomatic expressions essential for scoring high in the 2025-26 exams.

Practising NCERT textbook exercises with detailed explanations ensures you’re exam-ready. Strengthen your basics by revisiting tricky lines and summary tasks, and always review the vocabulary to succeed in Class 8 English.