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Extract from the Text
Sven didn’t confess to her ownership for several days... He had smuggled her up on the last ferry from Earth... Claribel thrived and grew fat... we had little trouble concealing our guest when VIPs from Earth came visiting.
Summary in Bullet Points
- Sven says part of his motive was scientific curiosity: he wanted to see how a bird would move without weight.
- Claribel becomes a general pet rather than Sven’s private bird.
- The crew hides her from visitors because an unofficial pet may cause trouble, creating light suspense and humour.
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer
2 marks
What was Sven’s scientific reason for bringing Claribel?
2 Marks
How to answer:
Give the main idea and one supporting detail.
View Answer
Answer: He wanted to observe how a bird would use its wings when it had no weight in zero gravity.
Longer Short Answer
3 marks
How does Claribel change from Sven’s secret to a shared part of station life?
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain the point and show why it matters in the chapter.
View Answer
Answer: The crew quickly accepts her, enjoys her presence and helps hide her from visiting officials. She becomes everyone’s pet, showing affection and companionship in an unusual environment.
