Previous Year Questions 2025
Q1: What role does each of Belinda’s pets play in the narrative? Select any two of her pets. (Answer in 40-50 words) (3 Marks)
Ans: Ink, the little black kitten, and Blink, the little grey mouse, are portrayed as brave and boastful pets who claim to chase lions down the stairs. However, when real danger appears in the form of a pirate, they flee and hide, revealing that their bravery was only pretence.
Q2: Discuss how the writers use language to create humour in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ and the play ‘The Proposal’. (Answer in 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: In “The Tale of Custard the Dragon,” Ogden Nash creates humour through playful language, made-up words, and exaggeration. He uses poetic devices like repetition (“realio trulio”), onomatopoeia (“clatter,” “clank,” “meowch”), and similes (“as brave as a barrel full of bears”) to make the poem lively and amusing. The contrast between Custard’s fierce appearance and his timid nature adds to the comic effect.
In “The Proposal,” Anton Chekhov uses situational and verbal irony to evoke laughter. The exaggerated quarrels between Lomov and Natalya over petty issues like property and dogs make the play humorous. Both writers use irony, exaggeration, and playful language to expose human folly and create light-hearted entertainment.
Q3: Describe the changing reactions of Ink, Blink, and Mustard to Custard’s bravado. (Answer in 40-50 words) (3 Marks)
Ans: Ink, Blink, and Mustard initially mock Custard for being a coward, calling him “Percival” and laughing at his desire for a safe cage. However, when the pirate attacks, they flee in fear while Custard bravely fights and kills the pirate. Afterward, they praise him but still boast falsely about their own bravery.
Q4: Read the given extracts and answer the questions :
Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! Which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
I. What inference can be drawn from the repetition of ‘suddenly, suddenly’ in the above extract? (1 Mark)
Ans: The repetition of “suddenly, suddenly” emphasizes the unexpectedness and urgency of the situation, creating suspense and signaling a sudden shift from a playful mood to danger.
II. Despite its symbolism of captivity, what leads Custard to have a preference for staying in a cage? (2 Marks)
Ans: Custard prefers staying in a cage because, despite being a dragon with a fierce appearance, he is timid and fearful. The cage symbolizes safety and comfort, offering him protection from any danger.
III. Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the lines of the first four lines of the given extract: (1 Mark)
(A) Through the telescope she saw a star
which she thought was very far
She stretched her hand
and felt the crumple of the sand.
(B) Through the telescope she saw a star
She stretched her hand
As it was very far
But felt the crumble of the sand.
(C) Through the telescope she saw a star
Which she thought was very far
Her hand she stretched
But felt the crumble of the sand.
(D) Through the telescope she saw a star
Which she thought was very far
Her hand she stretched afar
But felt the crumble of the sand.
Ans: (A)
it follows the aabb rhyme scheme, just like the extract.
IV. In the given extract, The difference between the other animals and Custard is that Custard behaves like a (coward / dragon).
Ans: Coward.
In the given extract, the difference between the other animals and Custard is that Custard behaves like a coward.
Q5: Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival.
(i) What poetic device is used in the first sentence ? (1 Mark)
Ans: The poetic device used in the first sentence is a simile — “as brave as a barrel full of bears.”
(ii) What was ironical about Custard being referred to as Percival? (2 Marks)
Ans: The irony lies in the fact that Percival, one of King Arthur’s knights, was known for running away due to lack of courage. The pets mock Custard by calling him “Percival,” but later, Custard proves to be the only truly brave one.
(iii) Complete the following suitably:
The word ‘unmerciful’ in the given context implies that Belinda is ________. (1 Mark)
Ans: The word ‘unmerciful’ in the given context implies that Belinda is teasing Custard without pity or kindness.
(iv) What image of Custard is created in the above lines? (1 mark)
Ans: The image of Custard created here is that of a timid and cowardly dragon, who, despite his fearsome looks, longs only for safety.
Previous Year Questions 2024
Q1: ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a humorous ballad. How does Ogden Nash create humour and entertainment in the poem ? (2024)
Ans: The poem is funny and entertaining. There is use of vivid description, rhyming names of the pets, light-hearted tone and imagination. The light hearted story becomes serious when a pirate enters the scene and then the truth of bravery versus cowardice is brought to light.
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Previous Year Questions 2023
Q2: What character trait is revealed of Custard when he accepts that the other animals are braver than him. (2023)
Ans: Even though he was braver and more courageous than other characters during the pirate attack episode, Custard the Dragon was revealed to be a character full of humility. Although Custard was known to be extremely timid and shy, the entire Belinda household witnessed his bravery and couldn’t believe their eyes.
Q3: How does the poem ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’ differ from the traditional ballad ? (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2023)
Ans: The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is not a traditional ballad as a ballad narrates the tale of courage and heroism and are usually not humorous. However, this poem is different as it is a humorous ballad that ends with a parody.
Previous Year Questions 2022
Q4: Give one reason why ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is more a fable than a ballad. (2022-23)
Ans: Fable is a fictitious narrative usually with animals, birds, etc. as characters. It also conveys a strong message. On the other hand, a ballad is a narrative verse that can be silly or heroic. The theme of a ballad is an adventure, bravery, romance etc. It is highly musical due to its rhyme scheme. The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a humorous and fictitious story of a dragon named Custard and how he bravely saved everyone from a pirate. The poem may have all the qualities of a ballad but it is a parody. Thus, it qualifies more as a fable than a ballad.
| Also read: Very Short Questions: Poem – The Tale of Custard the Dragon |
Previous Year Questions 2021
Q5: How would you describe Custard the Dragon? (Term II, 2021-22)
Ans: Custard the Dragon is a character in the poem who is initially portrayed as a cowardly dragon. However, he later proves this tag to be untrue by displaying bravery and courage.
Q6: How did Custard prove ‘the cowardly dragon tag’ to be untrue? (Term II, 2021-22)
Ans: When a pirate appeared, everyone refused to attack except Custard. He faced the pirate courageously, jumping in front of him and making dangerous gestures. The pirate fired shots at Custard, but he managed to swallow the pirate whole, proving his bravery.
Q7: A ballad includes the telling of a tale as well as a surprise ending. Using evidence from the poem, explain how these features are included in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. (Term II, 2021-22)
Ans: A ballad is a poem that tells a story. The theme of a ballad is an adventure, bravery, romance, etc. The ballad is highly musical due to its rhyme scheme. The Tale of Custard the Dragon has these qualities. But it is a parody of a ballad. The poet shows these qualities in a humorous way.
Previous Year Questions 2020
Q8: Describe how Custard’s reaction was different from that of others, on seeing the pirate?
(2020-21)
Ans:
HINTS:
- Custard was always teased as being the cowardly one, by all others.
- When the pirate arrived, others ran away to hide
- Custard was the only one who stood up to fight with him/who attacked him.
Previous Year Questions 2018
Q9: Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (2018)
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Who was tickled by Belinda?
(b) Why did she tickle ‘him’?
(c) Who are Ink, Blink and Mustard?
(d) Why did they all laugh at ‘him’?
Ans: (a) Custard the dragon was tickled by Belinda.
(b) She tickled him in order to tease or make fun of him.
(c) Ink is a black kitten, Blink is a little grey mouse, and Mustard is a dog.
(d) They all laughed at ‘him’ because they thought he was a coward.
 | Extract Based Questions Test: The Tale of Custard the Dragon |
Previous Year Questions 2014
Q10: Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (AI2014)
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Who is Belinda?
(b) Howdid Belinda and the other pets laugh at the dragon?
(c) Which word in this extract means the same as ‘unkind’?
Ans: (a) Belinda is the little girl who is the owner of the cat, mouse, dog, and the dragon.
(b) Belinda and the other pets sat in a little red wagon and laughed at the dragon.
(c) The word that means the same as ‘unkind’ in this extract is ‘rudely’.