Previous Years’ CBSE Questions of the poem ‘The tale of Custard the Dragon’ are given here to help students prepare in tune with Board Questions set up. Answers are given with the questions.
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The Tale of Custard the Dragon CBSE Questions of Previous Years
Q. Read the following extracts and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow: [CBSE QB, 2021]
“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
Q.1. Which option lists the quotes that support the ideas in the extract?
- Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.
- If you’re brave enough to start, you’re strong enough to finish.
- Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.
- You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.
- 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
Ans. Option (C)
Q.2. 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.
Ans. Option (A)
Q.3. Explanation: The words forming a sound with what it is named as or the onomatopoeic words have been used in the poem to highlight and attract attention towards the courage of Custard.
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.
Ans. Option (B)
Q. 4. Select the option that fits with the reaction of the characters in the context of the extract.
Ink: terrified : : Blink: (i) ______
Pirate: (ii) __:: Custard: undaunted
(A) (i) shocked (ii) displeased
(B) (i) petrified (ii) wondered
(C) (i) upset (ii) dazed
(D) (i) petrified (ii) shocked
Ans. Option (D)
Q. 5. ‘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 valorously.
(D) Custard attacked the pirate stealthily.
Ans. Option (B)
Q. 6. Pick the option that does not display a simile from the extract.
(A) Clashed his tail like irons…
(B) …at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(C) …Custard, snorting like an engine…
(D) …trickled down to the bottom…
Ans. Option (D)
Q. 7. The extract mentions ‘irons’ in dungeons. According to this extract, ‘irons’ is a reference to :
(A) Iron racks for sacred books.
(B) Iron cases housing treasures.
(C) Iron chains holding the prisoners captive.
(D) Iron coffins for burying the royal dead.
Ans. Option (C)
Q. Read the following extracts and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow: [CBSE QB, 2021]
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.
Q. 1. What can you infer from the repetition ‘suddenly, suddenly’ in the above extract?
(A) There was an immediate change in the scene.
(B) It focuses on the hasty attack and the loud noise.
(C) It emphasises that an unexpected noise was heard.
(D) It draws our attention to the loud cry that occurred.
Ans. Option (C)
Q. 2. A cage means captivity. Why is Custard inclined to remain in a cage despite what it symbolizes?
This is so because he viewed it as a:
(1) sanctuary
(2) guardhouse
(3) cubicle
(4) refuge
(5) booth
(A) 1, 2 & 5 (B) 1 & 4
(C) 3, 4 & 5 (D) 3 & 5
Ans. Option (B)
Q. 3. Why has the poet used the word ‘weeck’ to signify the giggling of the mouse?
The poet:
(A) uses it to add suspense in the poem.
(B) has imagined how the mouse would sound in this mood.
(C) has mocked at the mouse for giggling at Custard.
(D) uses it to create a scary effect for readers.
Ans. Option (B)
Q. 4. Pick the option with the correct matches for columns A and B.
(A) 1- D, 2-A, 3-C (B) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
(C) 1-B, 2-D, 3-C (D) 1-A, 2-C, 3-D
Ans. Option (B)
Q. 5. Which belief about dragons is in contrast to Custard’s behaviour in the extract.
(A) Dragons are brave and feared. (B) Dragons can grant wishes.
(C) Dragons can become invisible at will. (D) Dragons are soft-hearted and kind.
Ans. Option (A)
Explanation: Dragons were believed to be brave and need to be feared of. In reality, Custard was fearful of other pets and never seemed brave for a moment in the initial part of the poem.
Q. 6. A hyperbole is a literary device where the poet/writer/speaker purposely and obviously exaggerates to an extreme. Choose the option that includes an example of hyperbole, from the extract.
(A) And Mustard growled, and they all looked around
(B) Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age
(C) Belinda giggled till she shook the house
(D) When custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Ans. Option (C)
Explanation: It is too much of an exaggeration that a small girl laughed so much that the house started shaking. So, this is an example of hyperbole.
