CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Important Questions Set 02

Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

(a). All of them heard ______ sound.
(a) a good
(b) an unpleasant
(c) a pleasant
(d) ooh! ooh!
Answer: (b) an unpleasant

(b). The word ‘they’ in the above lines refers to ______.
(a) Belinda and pirate
(b) All the animals
(c) Mustard and Ink
(d) Ink, Belinda and Mustard
Answer: (d) Ink, Belinda and Mustard

(c). ‘Winda’ in the stanza means ______.
(a) window
(b) the wind
(c) the windpipe
(d) a windbag
Answer: (a) window

Extract 2

(a). Belinda was a ______.
(a) village woman
(b) cat
(c) girl
(d) dog
Answer: (c) girl

(b). Custard was Belinda’s ______.
(a) dog
(b) dragon
(c) kitten
(d) mouse
Answer: (b) dragon

(c). Custard gobbled ______.
(a) some spirit
(b) two bullets
(c) the pirate
(d) Belinda
Answer: (c) the pirate

Extract 3

(a). From the given extract, find a word which means the same as prison.
(a) Yelp
(b) Trickled
(c) Dungeon
(d) Mousehold
Answer: (c) Dungeon

(b). Identify the figure of speech in the lines, ‘But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine, Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon’.
(a) Alliteration
(b) Personification
(c) Simile
(d) Metaphor
Answer: (c) Simile

(c). What is the rhyme scheme of the above extract?
(a) ABCD ABCD
(b) ABBA ABBA
(c) AABB AABB
(d) ABAB ABAB
Answer: (c) AABB AABB

(d). What message do you think the poet conveys through this extract?
1. One should never underestimate anyone.
2. Custard is actually a coward.
3. Custard proved his bravery and courage in times of adversity, so he is the bravest of all.
4. Belinda is overconfident and a proud woman.
(a) (2) and (4)
(b) (1) and (3)
(c) (2) and (3)
(d) Only (2)
Answer: (b) (1) and (3)

(e). The pirate attacked the dragon by firing ____ bullets.
(a) two
(b) four
(c) one
(d) three
Answer: (a) two

Extract 4

(a). “I'd be twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.” Flustered here means ____.
(a) scared
(b) confused
(c) angered
(d) fainted
Answer: (b) confused

(b). What does Custard say in reply?
(a) Custard agrees to them and says that Belinda is the bravest.
(b) Custard agrees and says that everybody is braver than him.
(c) Custard argues to this and says that Ink and Blink have been three times as brave as him.
(d) Custard agrees and says that all are equally brave.
Answer: (b) Custard agrees and says that everybody is braver than him.

(c). What is the rhyme scheme of this extract?
(a) abab
(b) aabb
(c) baba
(d) bbaa
Answer: (b) aabb

(d). Where were Mustard, Ink and Blink when the pirate attacked?
1. They ran away as fast as they could
2. They stood and watched Custard fight
3. They ran here and there
4. They all were shouting for help
(a) (1) and (3)
(b) (3) and (4)
(c) Only (1)
(d) Only (2)
Answer: (a) (1) and (3)

(e). Who was the first one to run away?
(a) Belinda
(b) Ink
(c) Mustard
(d) Blink
Answer: (c) Mustard

(f). The above lines are taken from the poem:
(a) Animals
(b) The Tale of Custard the Dragon
(c) A Tiger in the Zoo
(d) Dust of Snow
Answer: (b) The Tale of Custard the Dragon

(g). Little dog Mustard spoke to:
(a) show his bravery
(b) impress Belinda
(c) make fun of Custard
(d) explain why he had not fought the pirate
Answer: (d) explain why he had not fought the pirate

(h). Ink and Blink ______ because the pirate was killed.
(a) gyrated in happiness
(b) acted stupid
(c) acted angrily
(d) acted superior
Answer: (a) gyrated in happiness

(i). The irony of the poem is that Custard killed the pirate but ____.
(a) he was caught by the police
(b) he was injured
(c) he was annoyed with Belinda
(d) he agreed everyone else was brave
Answer: (d) he agreed everyone else was brave

(j). Which of the following words means the opposite of ‘confident’?
(a) Presently
(b) Brave
(c) Flustered
(d) Spoke
Answer: (c) Flustered

Extract 5

(a). What does realio and trulio mean?
Answer: Realio and trulio actually mean ‘really’ and ‘truly’. The words have been changed by the poet so as to give rhythm to the poem.

(b). What did the other three pet call the dragon?
Answer: The other three pets namely Ink, Blink, and Mustard, they rudely called Custard, the dragon as Percival.

Extract 6

(a). Describe the physical appearance of the pirate.
Answer: The pirate’s beard was black and he had one wooden leg. He also looked very frightening.

(b). How many weapons was the pirate carrying?
Answer: The pirate was carrying two pistols in both his hands and a bright cutlass in his teeth.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Answer: The characters are Belinda and her pets. The kitten was called Ink and the mouse was called Blink. She called her dog Mustard and the dragon was called Custard. A pirate also appears in the poem.

Question 2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because Belinda and her other pets claimed to be very brave and bold but he wanted to hide himself in safety. So everyone called him a coward.

Question 3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful ...” Why?
Answer: Belinda was very proud of Ink and Blink, who seemed very brave. She made fun of cowardly Custard; therefore she tickled him unmercifully.

Question 4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon”—the poetic device here is a ‘simile’. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
Answer: The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ uses many poetic devices. For example, the poet has used simile in the following lines to show comparison:
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard
Mouth like a fireplace
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage

Question 5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Answer: In the third stanza, the poet has drawn a very vivid picture of the dragon, whose name was Custard. His sharp teeth intensify his fierceness, and he has spikes on top and scales underneath. The dragon’s mouth is compared to a fireplace and, very appropriately, his nose has been compared to a chimney which emanates smoke. He has dagger-like toes. Overall, the dragon appears to be very frightening.

Question 6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Answer: The poem maintains a rhyme pattern almost all through, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is aabb, for example: [house … mouse … wagon … dragon] and [Ink … Blink … Mustard … Custard].

Question 7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
Answer: Sometimes poets use irony to present an image or a picture. Rather than saying it directly, they say it in a way that first suggests the opposite. For example, in this poem Custard says, ‘I quite agree / That everybody is braver than me’, whereas the readers know the reality of the others’ so-called bravery: Mustard fled from there and the little mouse Blink hid himself in the mousehole.

Question 8. Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a serious story told in a light-hearted manner. It is a tale of a pirate who threatens Belinda, but her pet dragon gobbles him up every bit. The poet is also commenting on people and their boastful nature: when it comes to real help, they are nowhere to help their near and dear ones, yet they do not miss an opportunity to praise themselves once the crisis is over. On the other hand, he has depicted the dragon, who was ridiculed by little animals like the mouse, the cat and the dog, but does not mind it and helps his mistress Belinda when she is in danger by gobbling up the pirate.
The poem, presented in a light-hearted manner, is appreciable as it is very humorous to see a mouse making fun of a fierce dragon. All the animals giggle at the dragon for being a coward but ultimately he is the bravest of them all.

Question 9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Answer: Teachers can conduct this activity in class by suggesting ballads like ‘Khoob ladi mardani, woh to Jhansi wali rani thi’, which tells the story of Rani Lakshmibai.

Question 10. Why did Custard, the dragon, cry for a nice, safe cage?
Answer: Custard every now and then kept asking for a nice, safe cage. Actually he was very brave but this made others think him to be cowardly. He might have been crying for a nice, safe cage so that he might not harm anyone when angry, or to show that a little safety averts a disaster. The others thought that he cried for a cage as he was a coward.

Question 11. How did Custard prove the tag ‘the cowardly dragon’ to be untrue? (CBSE 2022)
Answer: Custard made a lot of clatter and clinking and he was squirming. He jumped up, snorting and clashing his tail. He attacked the pirate. It terrified the pirate. He fired at Custard and missed. Custard killed him by swallowing him up. It shows that he was brave.

Question 12. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called the “cowardly dragon”?
Answer: Custard, the dragon was not conscious of his strength. He was constantly worried about his safety. He always cried and begged for a nice safe cage in case he was in danger. Outwardly, the dragon had big sharp teeth. He had spikes on the top and scales underneath. He spat fire and his mouth looked like a fireplace. He looked very ferocious and strong. Unfortunately, he was not conscious of his power and strength. He swallowed the pirate but couldn’t convince himself that he was not a coward.

Question 13. What were the names of Belinda’s pets? Do their names reflect their personalities?
Answer: Belinda has four pets. They are: a little black kitten, Ink, a little yellow dog, Mustard, a grey mouse named Blink and a dragon called Custard. Yes, their names reflect their colours and traits. The black kitten Ink is black like ink. Mustard, the dog is yellow like mustard flowers. The cowardly Custard has no strength of character like the dish, custard.

Question 14. How did they react when they heard a nasty sound?
Answer: Suddenly, Belinda and her pets heard a nasty sound. They were highly surprised. Mustard growled and Ink mewed. Belinda, hereself gave a cry of disbelief. Actually, it was the sound of a pirate climbing through the window.

Question 15. How did Belinda and her pets react on seeing the pirate?
Answer: Belinda and her pets were completely terrified on seeing the pirate. Belinda became pale with fear. She started crying for help. The dog Mustard fled with a terrified yelp. Ink hid himself and Blink saved himself by entering a hole.

Question 16. How did Custard face the pirate differently than Belinda and her pets?
Answer: While Belinda herself was terrified on seeing the pirate, her other pets also behaved quite cowardly. While they fled away in fear, Custard faced the pirate like a hero. He attacked the pirate with his tall tail. He pounced upon the pirate as a robin pounces upon an insect. He swallowed the pirate within no time.

Question 17. How is the bravery of Belinda and her pets described in the poem? Do they really prove their courage and bravery?
Answer: Belinda and her pets are projected as very courageous and brave in the poem. Belinda is braver than a barrel of bears. Ink and Blink could chase even lions down the stairs. Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage. Only Custard, the dragon was considered to be timid and cowardly. Ironically, all proved cowards except Custard who fought against and swallowed the pirate.

Question 18. Why did Belinda tickle Custard mercilessly? Why was he teased as ‘Percival’?
Answer: Belinda had a very poor opinion of Custard. She considered him a coward and always taunted and tickled him for being so. All other pets, Ink, Blink and Mustard mocked at Custard’s timidity and lack of courage. Tauntingly, they called him Percival, who was a brave knight of King Arthur.

Question 19. How did Belinda and her pets behave when the pirate was killed?
Answer: Belinda became so happy that she embraced Custard intimately. Her pets also celebrated the death of the pirate by dancing around Custard joyfully. However, they gave no credit to Custard for his heroic feat. On the other hand, they indulged in self-praise and self-patting.

Question 20. What lesson or the message does the poet seem to give to the readers?
Answer: The poet gives a definite message. Merely outer appearances and physical strength don’t make a person brave. One should have the strength of mind and self-confidence to be really great. The dragon, Custard had a lot of physical strength and he swallowed the pirate. In spite of that, he was bullied and mocked at for his timidity and cowardly behaviour.

Question 21. Describe the outwardly appearance of Custard, the dragon. Why did he always cry for a nice safe cage?
Answer: Custard — picture of power and strength — teeth were big and sharp — spikes on top of him — mouth spat fire — a big nose that resembled a chimney — daggers on his toes — Custard — didn’t possess the strength of character — lacked courage — not courage of his real strength — always begged — nice safe cage — protection.

Question 22. Describe the dreadful appearance of the pirate.
Answer: Pirate — looked quite dreadful and dominating — carried a pistol in his left as well as in right hand — a shining dagger in his mouth — beard black — one of his legs was of wood — intentions — terrible.

Question 23. Why did Belinda and her pets prove ungrateful to Custard who killed the pirate? Why did they again start calling him timid and cowardly?
Answer: Belinda and her pets — temporary appreciation of Custard’s heroic feat. Belinda — embraced other pets — danced around him — the end of it — again started indulging in self-patting and self-praise. They showed their ungratefulness by undermining and not acknowledging Custard’s heroic fight with the pirate.

Question 24. How did Custard prove that he was not a coward?
Answer: Custard proved it by attacking the pirate and gobbling him up at once, when all the others were afraid.

Question 25. The poet could have included a burglar or an intruder in the poem, but chose to include a pirate. Justify this choice.
Answer: The poet chose a pirate over any burglar or a thief because a pirate looks evil and nasty. the way the pirate's legs were crippled, as one of them was made of wood, with a pistol in both of his hands and a cutlass between his teeth, was scarier than a burglar.

Question 26. Why is it fair to say that Custard could be the ‘poster-boy’ for the belief that the real nature of a person is revealed at times of the greatest difficulty?
Answer: It is true that the nature of a person is revealed at times of greatest difficulty. Custard could be the best example of the same. Although, Custard was believed to be the most coward of all the pets, he proved himself to be the bravest of them all when the pirate broke in.

Question 27. Briefly state the reason you think the poet named the animals Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard.
Answer: The poet named the animals aptly. He named the little kitten, Ink as he was black, the mouse, Blink as he was small, the dog, Mustard as he was of a bright yellow colour, and the dragon, Custard as he was a soft and timid creature.