CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon VBQs

Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

1. Belinda lived in a little white house
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
and a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink
and the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Which of the following is NOT a member of Belinda’s pets?
(a) Ink
(b) Blink
(c) Cuddles
(d) Mustard
Answer. C

Question. The name of Belinda’s pet dragon was
(a) Mustard
(b) Custard
(c) Blink
(d) Komodo
Answer. B

Question. Which of Belinda’s pet was accused of being a coward?
(a) The grey mouse
(b) The yellow dog
(c) The black kitten
(d) The dragon
Answer. D

Question. Custard was an unusual pet, being a
(a) Dragon
(b) Mouse
(c) Kitten
(d) Dog
Answer. A

Question. Which of the following is called a dragon?
(a) large dinosaur which lived millions of years ago
(b) a mythical animal which spits fire
(c) a tiger-like animal
(d) an eagle-like bird.
Answer. B

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. Where did Belinda live?
Answer. Belinda lived with her four pets in a little white house.

Question. Name her four pets.
Answer. Belinda had a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon as pets.

Question. What were the colors of her pets.
Answer. The kitten was black, the little mouse was grey and the little dog was yellow in color.

Question. What did the poet mean by radio and trulis?
Answer. The poet has coined these words. By, ‘realio’ he means, ‘really’ and by ‘trulio’ he means ‘truly’.

Question. Why did the poet coin the two words?
Answer. He coined the two words in order to enhance the comical effect of the poem.

2. “Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm”

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Which option lists the quotes that support the ideas in the extract?
(1) Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.
(2) If you’re brave enough to start, you’re strong enough to finish.
(3) Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.
(4) You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.
(5) Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is strong.
(a) 1 and 5
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1,3 and 5
Answer. C

Question. What is the poet’s purpose of using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract?
(a) It is to emphasize on the might and boldness of Custard.
(b) It is to introduce the character Custard to the readers.
(c) It is to impress upon the readers that Custard was ready.
(d) It is to make Custard bold enough to face the situation.
Answer. A

Question. Pick an option that best fits the usage of the word ‘trickled’ as used in the extract.
(a) The water trickled down the tap and filled the trough.
(b) Students trickled into the classroom as the teacher entered.
(c) Tears trickled down her cheeks as she heard the sad news.
(d) His enthusiasm for the task slowly trickled away.
Answer. B

Question. Select the option that fits with the reaction of the characters in the context of the extract.
Ink: terrified : : Blink : (1) ____________
Pirate: (2) ____________ : : Custard: undaunted
(a) (1) shocked (2) displeased
(b) (1) petrified (2) wondered
(c) (1) upset (2) dazed
(d) (1) petrified (2) shocked
Answer. D

Question. ‘He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm. Why has this comparison been used here?
Just like the robin catches the worm,
(a) Custard attacked the pirate after careful observation.
(b) Custard attacked the pirate without delay.
(c) Custard attacked the pirate valourously.
(d) Custard attacked the pirate stealthily.
Answer. B

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. What did the poet mean when he said ‘‘Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household’’?
Answer. He meant that Ink was so frightened on seeing the pirate that he ran and hid in the leasement of the house.

Question. Why has the poet used the work ‘trickled’?
Answer. The poet has used the word ‘trickled’ because ink is liquid and flows, Ink’s running away has this been called ‘tricling’.

Question. Why did custard snort and jump like an engine?
Answer. Custard snorted and jumped like an engine because he was angry at the sight of the pirate.

Question. What did custard do to the pirate?
Answer. He gobbled up the pirate like a robin would gobble a worm.

Question. Pick one simile from the given passage.
Answer. Any one of the following:-
(a) snorting like an engine,
(b) clashed his tail like irons.
(c) went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

3. Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.
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.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Which of the following was the pet dragon of Belinda?
(a) Ink
(b) Blink
(c) Custard
(d) Mustard
Answer. C

Question. Which pet of Belinda had the reputation of being a coward?
(a) The mouse
(b) The dragon
(c) The kitten
(d) The dog
Answer. B

Question. Which of Belinda’s pet always sought a safe cage?
(a) Ink
(b) Blink
(c) Mustard
(d) Custard
Answer. D

Question. What is the rhyme scheme followed in this poem?
(a) abab
(b) aabb
(c) abcd
(d) adbc
Answer. B

Question. Which of the following is NOT TRUE?
(a) It was Custard who dealt with the pirate.
(b) It was Mustard who fought the pirate.
(c) Custard turned out to be a bold fighter.
(d) Custard is a humble and modest dragon.
Answer. B

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. Describe Custard the pet dragon.
Answer. Custard had sharp teeth, spikes on his back with dry scales, a big fiery red mouth, a long sharp nose and claw’s as sharp as dagger.

Question. How brave was Belinda?
Answer. Belinda was a brave as a banel full of bears.

Question. How did the poet describe Mustard’s bravery?
Answer. Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage.

Question. Were Ink and Blink brave?
Answer. Yes, Ink and Blink were as brave as a tiger in a rage.

Question. Which figure of speech is used in the line ‘Belinda was as brave as a bravel full of bears.’’?
Answer. The poet has used allteration where he has used the ‘b’ round repeadly.
 

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. What type of poem is ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’?
(a) a sonnet
(b) a ballad
(c) an ode
(b) an elegy
Answer. B

Question. What type of pet is custard?
(a) a dragon pet
(b) a mouse pet
(c) a dog pet
(b) a cat pet
Answer. B

Question. Besides her four pets what did Belinda possess?
(a) a white ball
(b) a blue seasaw
(c) a red wagon
(d) a yellow frock
Answer. A

Question. What was the pirate doing?
(a) he was dancing a jig
(b) he ran to kill Ink and Blink
(c) he tried to fight with Mustard
(d) he was trying to get into the house by climbing through a window
Answer. D

Question. Who was Percival?
(a) a timid soldier
(b) a knight of King Arthur
(c) a handsome cowherd
(d) a giant
Answer. A

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS:

Belinda lived in a little white house, With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse, And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon. Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Question. Which among the following words in the stanza used to describe Custard are not real ? 1.Realio, 2.Trulio, 3.Coward, 4.little,
(a) only 4
(b) both 1 and 2
(c) only 2
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer. B

Question. Colours mentioned in the stanza are used as______________ ?
(a) adjectives
(b) qualities
(c) matching words
(d) to give effects
Answer. D

Question. In reality which one of the following is not a real animal?
(a) Blink
(b) Custard
(c) Ink
(d) Mastard
Answer. B

Question. Who was Blink?
Answer. Belinda’s little grey mouse.

Question. Identify any two poetic devices in the stanza?
Answer. alliteration, simile

2. Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.

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,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.

Question. They all sat laughing in the little red wagon ………Who are they in the poem ?
(a) Belinda and ink
(b) Mastard, Castard and Blink
(c) Ink, Blink and Mustard
(d) Ink, Blink and Belinda
Answer. C

Question. Fire place is compared to _________ ?
(a) warmth in the room
(b) Mouth of the Dragon
(c) wild fire
(d) heater in the room
Answer. B

Question. she tickled him unmerciful... here unmerciful means?
(a) cruel
(b) hazardous
(c) injuriously
(d) roughly
Answer. D

Question. Which words in the stanza describes the dragon?
Answer. big sharp teeth, spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose and daggers on his toes...

Question. The word Percival in the stanza Stands for?
Answer. Knight,

3. Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Week! 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.
Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.

Question. What qualities of the other animals do we find in the stanza ? (A) proud (B) rude (C) funny (D) caring
(a) Only A.
(b) Both A and B
(c) Only C
(d) Only D
Answer. B

Question. What poetic devices used in the stanza?
(a) Metaphor
(b) personification
(c) Onomatopoeia
(d) Simile
Answer. C

Question. List out the rhyming pairs? 1. Sound i. Mouse 2. Belinda ii. Age 3. Cage iii. Around 4. House iv. Winda
(a) 1-iv, 2-I, 3-ii, 4-iii
(b) 1-iii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-ii
(c) 1-I, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv
(d) 1-iii, 2-iv, 3-ii, 4-i
Answer. D

Question. Which words in the stanza describes the sounds?
Answer. week, growl, Meowch!, Ooh!

Question. Why do all the animals begin to make nasty sounds?
Answer. because there was a pirate in the window.

Short Answers Type Questions

Question. Describe the pirate who comes through the window?
Answer. The pirate had a wooden leg and his beard was black. He had a pistol in both his left and right hand and he held a cutlass in his teeth.

Question. What names did Belinda give to them?
Answer. Belinda lived with different animals. She gave the kitten the name Ink. She called the gray mouse as Blink. The little yellow dog was called Mustard. The dragon was coward, thus she named him as Custard.

Question. How do they celebrate Custard getting rid of the pirate?
Answer. Belinda embraces him, Mustard, the dog licks him.
Ink, the cat and Blink, the mouse dance around him in circles in celebration of Custard eating up the pirate.

Question. What was the ‘nasty sound’ they all heard one day? How did they react to it?
Answer. The ‘nasty sound’ was of a pirate. Mustard looked at him and growled at it. Ink gave out ‘Meowch’ sound and Belinda cried ‘ooh’. They looked around to see what kind of sound it was. They were curious to know who had produced it.

Question. Where did Belinda live? Who else lived with her?
Answer. Belinda lived in a little white house with other animals. There was a little black kitten, a little gray mouse, a little yellow dog and a little pet dragon.
They all lived together happily and with affection.

Question. What do all of them do when the pirate comes?
Answer. When they see the pirate, Belinda cries for help. Ink, the cat, hides under the house, the mouse runs to his hole, the dog yelps and runs but the dragon attacks the pirate.

Question. How is ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ a ballad?
Answer. A ballad is actually a story which is sung in rhyme to show adventure, suspense, romance etc. It is highly musical due to its rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of the poem is aabb. The poem possess both these characteristics and hence, is a ballad.

Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
(a) How did Belinda’s pets other than Custard face the pirate?
(b) Who among Belinda’s pets was turned out to be actually brave? How?
Answer. (a) All the animals other than the dragon, Custard used to boast about their bravery and mocked the dragon. and made the fun of the dragon. But when the pirate entered the house, they all got frightened scared and ran away and hid themselves disappeared except Custard, the dragon.
(b) Custard, the dragon was proved to be the bravest of all the pets of Belinda. Her other pets, Mustard, Ink and Blink were cowards and fled ran away on seeing the pirate. Custard however, faced him bravely.

Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
(a) Who lived with Belinda?
(b) Do the names of the animals reflect their personalities?
Answer. (a) Belinda lived in a white house with her pets namely, Ink – a black kitten, Blink – a grey mouse, Mustard – a yellow dog, Custard – a dragon, and a red wagon.
(b) The names of the animals were showed their physical appearance and not their personalities.
Custard, the a dragon was named so given its name due to its colour. He was however, a brave dragon who showed his bravery during times of need.

Question. Give a brief description of the animals which Belinda had as pets?
Answer. Belinda lived in the little white house with her four pets named Ink, blink, Mustard and Custard. Ink was a little black kitten, Blink was a little grey mouse, Mustard was a little yellow dog. Ink and blink were brave enough to chase the lions down the stairs. The little Mustard was brave like a tiger in a rage but little Custard was a coward and kept crying for a nice safe cage.

Question. Why did Custard always cry for a nice safe cage? Give a brief description of Custard.
Answer. Custard the dragon is one of the loving pets of Belinda. He had big sharp teeth. He had spikes on the top of his body. He could spit fire from his mouth. He had a big nose that resembled a chimney. There were daggers on his toes. However, Custard didn‘t possess the strength of character. He lacked courage. Though, physically he was tough and powerful but he did not have courage and always begged for a nice safe cage for his protection.

Question. Why was the pirate afraid when Custard attacked on him and how was the pirate killed?
Answer. When the pirate came to attack on Belinda and her other pets so everyone hid themselves except Custard the dragon. He jumped up in front of the pirate snorting like an engine. He clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon. He made a lot of clattering sound. This terrified the pirate and the pirate fired two bullets at Custard but he missed his target. Custard went close to him and killed him by swallowing him up. This all shows that Custard the dragon was brave in true sense.

Question. Were the other pets of Belinda except Custard as brave as they claimed to be?
Answer. No, the other pets of Belinda except Custard were not as brave as they claimed to be as they all ran away when they show the dangerous pirate. It was the real time for them to show their bravery but they all fled away. It was only Custard, who had the courage to face the pirate and fight him. So, among all the pets of Belinda, only Custard was brave enough to fight the pirate. This shows that Custard was really brave but he never liked to blow on his own trumpet like the other pets of Belinda. He only showed his bravery and skills when it was required.

Question. Custard is the real hero of the poem but why did he not mention it and accepted his cowardice in front of others?
Answer. Even though Custard is the real hero of the story but he accepted his cowardice in front of others because Custard is a true legend who doesn‘t boast about his bravery and skills like other pets of Belinda. The all-other pets boasted that they would have been braver than Custard if they had not been nervous. Custard, instead of speaking anything to them, he chose to be humble and modest instead of boasting about himself. This shows that one need not boast about one‘s skills but show them when it is required.

Question. What were the names of Belinda’s pets?
Answer. The names of Belinda’s pets were Ink, a little black kitten; Mustard, a little yellow dog; Blink, a little grey mouse and a dragon whose name was Custard.

Question. How did the pirate look?
Answer. The pirate held a pistol in his left hand and another pistol in his right hand. He had black beard and his one leg was of wood. He held a bright cutlass in his teeth. It was clear that his intentions were not good.

Question. Why did the Belinda cry for help?
Answer. Belinda was scared to see the pirate who had pistols in his hands and had a bright cutlass in his teeth. There was something bad in his appearance and intention. Therefore Belinda was afraid of the pirate and cried for help.

Question. What did the custard do at last?
Answer. Custard saved Belinda and the other pets from the pirate. He showed his braver side and attacked the pirate and gobbled him up. Finally, Custard showed that he was not as coward as others.

Question. Why did the Custard, the dragon cry for a nice, safe cage?
Answer. Custard, in fact, was very brave but still he kept asking for a nice, safe cage. It made people think to be cowardly. He might be crying for a nice, safe cage so that he might not harm anyone when in anger or he might be proving that a little safety cage averts a disaster. The others thought that he cried for a cage as he was a coward.

Question. What did Belinda and her pets hear?
Answer. Belinda and her pets heard a nasty sound made by the pirate breaking in through the window. Belinda and her pets except Custard were terrified and cried for help. Ink, Blink and Mustard fled away cowardly. Custard fought with him bravely and killed him.

Question. What terrified the pirate? Who killed him and how?
Answer. Custard, the dragon, jumped up, snorting and clashing his tail. He was making a lot of clatter and clinkering and he was squirming. 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. Write the poetic aspect of the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”.
Answer. The poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a light-hearted story, written in the ballad style. It is written in a four-lined stanza format with the rhyming scheme of aabb. It takes it near to the heroic couplet. The poem offers many similes. The stanzas vary in size. The lines are prosaic and long. The first two stanzas act as refrain to indicate continuity. The words are simple.

Question. Cage is a symbol of safety in the poem. What other references can be obtained about cage?
Answer. in this poem Cage is reflected as a safe place for the dragon, where it enjoys its life with it’s master Belinda. Whereas in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ it is reflected as a prison, where the Tiger was very sad and angry on his condition. He feels a sense of misery and did not like it.

Question. Which human characteristics can be derived from the poem?
Answer. The poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a value-based story, there are many Human Characteristics that can be derived such as we should not boast our powers, we should not be unnecessary proud of our qualities, we always must be simple and soft towards others although we have immense power. Etc

Long Answer Type Question

Question. One Should never judge a book by its cover.‖ Elucidate the statement in reference to the poem .The Tale of Custard the Dragon‘.
Answer. The given statement absolutely supports the theme of the poem. Custard the dragon who was considered to be the biggest coward by Belinda and her other pets proves to be the bravest of all when there was a need to show bravery and save others from pirate. The poem tries to explain the fact that it is not right to make fun of anyone on the basis of their life style and their choices. Custard, the dragon, always wanted comfort and safety for himself and therefore always cried for a nice safe cage. On the other hand, Belinda and other pets of the house made fun of him because they thought that he was a coward. Custard proved that just because he likes comfort, he is not a coward. In fact, he was the only one, who had the courage to face the pirate and kill him. So, we must not be deceived by the appearance of the people. We need to respect the individual differences and be open minded. We should not have pre judgement about the people and things like Belinda and her other pets. We should behave well and instead of blowing one‘s own trumpet should spare some time to look and find innate values and skills of others. Everyone has been created by God with some uniqueness and everyone can do great things. Just we need to show little trust on others so that they can show their potential.

Question. Belinda and her other pets considered Custard as a coward but he proved his bravery in when it was really required. Express your views with reference to the poem, ―The Tale of Custard, the dragon‖.
Answer. It is absolutely right that bravery and courage are situational and spontaneous. It is not like you can show it all the time. It is only showed when there is a right time for it. This fact has been aptly conveyed in the poem .The Tale of Custard the Dragon‘‘. Custard the dragon who was considered a coward proved to be the bravest when it is was the turn for everyone to show their bravery. Belinda and others laughed at him when he cried for a nice safe cage. He never boasted of his bravery and courage, unlike Belinda and her other pets did. Everyone else, including Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard claimed to be brave. They even called Custard‘s a coward and asked him his age to make fun of him. They called him Percival mockingly. However, when there was a time to show courage for Belinda and her other arrogant pets then none of them could face the cruel pirate. They hid themselves in some corner of the house. It was only Custard who dared to face the frightening pirate. He not only fought the pirate but also ate him up. It was a dangerous situation to which Custard spontaneously responded. His courage and bravery came out in a threatening situation. Therefore, it is true that qualities like courage and bravery are such qualities which are only showed when there is time to show them. Custard did it in a great way and proved himself the bravest of all.

Question. The dragon, custard was considered a coward. The humble dragon proved his bravery in adversity. Analyse that certain qualities like bravery and courage are situational and spontaneous. Express your views with reference to the poem.
Answer. Custard’s humbleness won every reader’s heart as he showed true bravery and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Everyone boasted of their bravery but when they faced real danger, it was only Custard, who had the courage to face it. And he proved his bravery by not running away and facing the pirate and killing him. Qualities like bravery and courage can only be tested when someone is actually put in a dangerous situation. Therefore, these qualities are situational as becomes clear from Custard’s example. Custard looked for comfort all the time but this did not mean that he was a coward.

Question. Do you think that one should be made fun of because of their preferences and choices in life? Explain in the context of Custard, the dragon.
Answer. It is not right to make fun of anyone on the basis of their life style and their choices. Custard, the dragon, always wanted comfort and safety for him and therefore always cried for a nice safe cage. Belinda and other pets of the house made fun of him because they thought that he was a coward. Custard proved that just because he likes comfort, he is not a coward. In fact, he was the only one, who had the courage to face
the pirate and kill him.

Question. Pick a character from any of the units (lessons/poems) in First Flight, who displayed similar characteristics, like Custard and overcame a troubling issue?
What similarities and differences do you find between the character and Custard?
Answer. Custard, the dragon is portrayed as a timid dragon. He is also a humble dragon, pure in character. He never boasted about his bravery. Courage can be measured at the time of serious situation. And custard proved that he was the most courageous among all by not running away from the danger. According to me, the similar characteristics, like Custard can be seen in