Final answer:
A mockingjay is C) A cross between a mocking bird and a jabber jay, a concept from the 'Hunger Games' series. It symbolizes rebellion and resulted from the unintended crossbreeding of engineered jabber jays and wild mockingbirds.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mockingjay is a fictional bird featured extensively in the 'Hunger Games' series by Suzanne Collins. In the lore of the series, the mockingjay is a result of a crossbreeding between two types of birds. To answer the student's question, a mockingjay is C) A cross between a mocking bird and a jabber jay.
Mockingjays have a symbolic significance in the series, representing rebellion and hope. Jabber jays were genetically engineered creatures created to spy on enemies by memorizing conversations and repeating them back to Capitol officials. When they were released into the wild and presumed useless, they mated with wild mockingbirds, creating mockingjays. These new birds were not what was originally intended by the creators but took on a life of their own.
The mockingbird, on the other hand, is an actual bird species well-known for its ability to mimic the sounds of other birds and distinct noises within their environments, which is reflected in the fictional mockingjay's abilities as well