Important Questions
Here are crucial questions to deepen your understanding of 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'. Click on each question to reveal its answer.
Previous Year Questions & Answers
Practice with these questions that have appeared in previous exams. Click on each question to reveal its answer.
Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks)
Long Answer Questions (5-6 Marks)
Flashcards
Click on each card to reveal important terms, concepts, or details from the poem.
MCQ Quiz: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Test your understanding of 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' with this 10-question MCQ quiz!
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Complete the sentences by filling in the blanks. There are 10 questions, randomly selected, and they change every attempt.
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Reference to Context Questions
Read the given extracts from the poem and answer the questions that follow. Click on each question to reveal its answer.
Poetic Devices in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'
Ogden Nash's 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' is a humorous ballad rich with various poetic devices that contribute to its playful tone and vivid imagery.
1. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a consistent AABB rhyme scheme in each stanza, typical of a ballad, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality.
- Example: "house" (A), "mouse" (A), "waggin" (B), "dragon" (B)
2. Simile
A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.
- "mouth like a fireplace"
- "chimney for a nose"
- "brave as a barrel full of bears"
- "brave as a tiger in a rage"
- "looked like a robot"
3. Metaphor
A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.
- "Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs" (metaphorical bravery, not literal)
- "Custard the dragon had great big paws, And realio, trulio, sharp and pointy claws" (The dragon's features are described directly, but his overall 'cowardly' nature against his fierce appearance can be seen as a metaphorical irony).
4. Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close proximity.
- "Belinda lived in a little white house"
- "brave as a barrel full of bears"
- "grew and grew and grew"
- "pirate's pistol"
- "gulped some grog"
5. Repetition
Repeating words or phrases for emphasis or rhythm.
- "realio, trulio" (repeated multiple times)
- "tickle, tickle, tickle"
- "brave" (repeated to describe various characters)
6. Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate the sound they represent.
- "clatter and a clank" (tail)
- "jingly-jangly" (bracelets)
- "gurgled" (grog)
- "weezed" (Mustard)
- "squeaked" (Ink)
7. Imagery
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures.
- Visual: "little white house", "mouth like a fireplace", "sharp and pointy claws", "rusty pistol", "pale with fright"
- Auditory: "jingly-jangly", "clatter and a clank", "gurgled"
8. Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for comedic effect.
- "Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs"
- "Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage"
- These exaggerated claims highlight the false bravery of the pets.
Mnemonic for Poetic Devices in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'
Remember 'Custard's **C.R.A.S.H.I.** tale' to recall the devices:
**C**omparison (**S**imile & **M**etaphor)
**R**hyme (AABB scheme)
**A**lliteration
**S**ound Devices (**O**nomatopoeia)
**H**umor (**H**yperbole/Exaggeration)
**I**magery
My Notes
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