The Tale of Custard the Dragon PYQs & Important Questions Class 10 English

The Tale of Custard the Dragon and its related Previous Years’ Questions (PYQs) are provided here. This collection CBSE questions for the class 10 English poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon,” along with other important questions, sample question papers, and the CBSE Question Bank. Competency Focused Questions (CFPQs) are also included.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon PYQs (Previous Years’ Questions)

SQP (2024-25)

Read the given extract and answer the questions given.

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.

I.   Examine the portrayal of Blink in the given lines.

II.  Complete the following suitably.

     The word ‘paled’ implies that Belinda .

III.  What kind of picture is painted by the poet through the line, ‘Ink trickled down to

       the bottom of the household’?

IV. What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines?

      Select the correct option

1. Urgency 2. Apprehension 3. Uncertainty 4. mystery 5. Aggression

A. 1 and 4

B. Only 2

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 4 and 5

Answers:

I.  Blink’s retreat is portrayed as a calculated and swift movement to safety –the imagery of Blink ‘strategically’ mouse holing suggests a quick and calculated response to the perceived danger — highlighting Blink’s instinctual survival skills in the face of adversity.

II. …recognised that she was in a threatening situation/ danger 

III.  In this context, the picture painted is that of a slow and silent descent / a descent with Ink trying to avoid drawing attention to itself / Ink seeking safety in a cautious and inconspicuous manner

IV.  C. 1, 2 and 3

CBSE PYQs (2024) – The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Q 1. Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’ is a humorous ballad – a song or a poem that tells a story. Justify. (CBSE 2023-24)

Ans.  Ogden Nash’s The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a humorous ballad because it tells a funny story in a rhythmic and musical way. The poem exaggerates bravery and cowardice, creating humor. It also uses playful words like “realio, trulio” and irony, as the so-called coward Custard turns out to be the real hero.

Q 2. Bring out the central idea of the poem, ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. (2024-24)

Ans.  Ogden Nash’s The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a humorous ballad because it tells a funny story in a rhythmic and musical way. The poem exaggerates bravery and cowardice, creating humor. It also uses playful words like “realio, trulio” and irony, as the so-called coward Custard turns out to be the real hero.

PYQs (2023)

Q 1. What character trait is revealed of Custard when he accepts that the other animals are braver than him. (2023)

Ans.  Custard’s acceptance that others are braver than him shows his humility and honesty. Unlike the other animals, who boast about their bravery, Custard does not seek praise. Even after saving everyone, he remains modest and does not brag about his courage. This makes him a genuine and self-aware character.

Q 2. Describe the pirate who comes through the window. (2023)

Ans.  The pirate is a fearsome and dangerous character. He has a black beard and a wooden leg. He carries two pistols, one in each hand, and holds a bright cutlass (sword) in his teeth. His appearance and weapons make it clear that he has bad intentions and wants to harm Belinda and her pets.

Q 3. Give one reason why ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is more a fable than a ballad. (2022-23)

Ans.  The poem is more of a fable than a ballad because it teaches a moral lesson. Like a fable, it shows that true bravery is tested in tough times. The so-called brave ones run away, while Custard, who is mocked as a coward, proves to be the real hero. This lesson is a key feature of fables.

PYQs (2022)

Q 1. How would you describe Custard the Dragon? (2021-22)

Ans. 

Custard the Dragon is described as a seemingly cowardly but actually brave character. He has sharp teeth, spikes, scales, and dagger-like toes, making him look fierce. However, he always asks for a safe cage, which makes others mock him. But when danger arrives, he fearlessly fights and defeats the pirate, proving his true bravery.

CFPQs (Competency Focused Questions)

Q 1. Read the line given below from the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. What effect do the words ‘realio, trulio’ have on the poem? 

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.

Ans.   The words “realio, trulio” add a playful and humorous tone to the poem. They are a fun, exaggerated way of saying “really, truly,” to make the poem more engaging. This light-hearted style contrasts with Custard’s fierce appearance, reinforcing the poem’s humorous and ironic theme.

Q 2. Justify the above statement in 20-30 words with an example from ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. 

Ans.   The words “realio, trulio” create a rhythmic, playful effect in the poem. For example, the line “And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes” exaggerates Custard’s fearsome appearance in a humorous way. This helps maintain the light hearted and satirical tone of the poem while making it entertaining.

Q 3. In 40-50 words, analyse any one of Custard’s qualities with an example from ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. 

Ans.   One of Custard’s key qualities is bravery. Though he is mocked as a coward, he fearlessly fights the pirate while the others run away. For example, “He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm” shows how quickly and aggressively he attacks. His actions prove that true courage is shown in difficult moments, not in words.

Q 4. Imagery and Personification are used abundantly in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.  State one evidence each for their usage and analyse the author’s purpose behind it in 100-120 words.

Ans.  The poem uses imagery to create vivid pictures, such as “Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose”, which makes Custard appear fearsome. Personification is seen when “Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs”, giving human-like bravery to the kitten and mouse.

The author uses imagery to highlight contrasts—Custard looks terrifying but is mocked as a coward. Personification makes the other pets seem bold, adding irony because they flee when danger arrives. These devices emphasize the poem’s theme of true versus false bravery in a humorous way, making the story engaging while delivering a lesson.

CBSE Question Bank

Q 1. Why is it fair to say that Custard could be the ‘poster-boy’ for the belief that the real nature of a person is revealed at times of the greatest difficulty? (QB)

Ans.   Custard can be the “poster-boy” for the belief that a person’s true nature is revealed in difficult times because, despite being mocked as a coward, he proves his real bravery when danger strikes. While Belinda and her pets boast about their courage but run away, Custard fearlessly fights and defeats the pirate. This shows that actions, not words, define true bravery.

Q 2. Belinda shares a post on Instagram with the following hashtags.

#Ink #Blink #Mustard #Bravehearts #My family #My world#

She doesn’t mention Custard in her post.

As a friend of Belinda, what would be your advice to her and why?

Ans.   I would advise Belinda to include Custard in her post because he was the true hero who saved everyone from the pirate. While Ink, Blink, and Mustard ran away, Custard faced the danger bravely. Ignoring him is unfair. She should recognize that true bravery is shown through actions, not just words and appreciate Custard’s courage. #CustardTheHero

Q 3. The poem is a light-hearted ballad with a powerful message. If the poem was written in any other style, 
do you think it would have created the same effect on readers? Justify your response with reason(s).

Ans.  No, if the poem were written in a serious style, it wouldn’t have had the same impact. The humorous and exaggerated tone makes the message about true bravery more engaging. The use of playful words like “realio, trulio” and irony makes the lesson memorable. A serious tone might have made it less entertaining and too moralistic.