The Tale of Custard the Dragon Class 10 MCQ Quiz – Test Your Knowledge

“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”

Pick the option that does not display a simile from the extract.

“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”

The extract mentions ‘irons’ in dungeons. According to this extract, ‘irons’ is a reference to

“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”

‘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,

How does Custard's character change throughout the poem?

“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”

What is the poet’s purpose of using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract?

The structure of the poem, with its regular rhythm and rhyme, contrasts with the serious theme to show:

“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”

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.

What literary device is used by the poet when describing Custard as a "dragon" who is actually "cowardly"?

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.

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

What does Custard's reaction to the pirate reveal about his character?

What inference can be made about the poet's attitude towards traditional notions of heroism?

What is the tone of the poem, as reflected in the language and imagery used?

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.

Which belief about dragons is in contrast to Custard’s behaviour in the extract.

What tone is conveyed by the poet's use of words like "belly" and "custard" to describe the dragon?

“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”

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