Custard the Dragon – Class 10 Descriptive Quiz

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Explore Humor and Irony in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” – Free Descriptive Quiz for CBSE Class 10 English

Uncover the delightful humor and subtle irony in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash with our specially designed free online descriptive quiz for CBSE Class 10 English. Based on the NCERT First Flight textbook, this quiz offers students a comprehensive way to analyze and enjoy one of the most entertaining narrative poems in the syllabus.

The quiz features a combination of MCQs and descriptive questions, allowing students to test both their literary knowledge and analytical writing skills. It focuses on helping learners understand the poem's ironic twist—how Custard, the supposedly cowardly dragon, turns out to be the true hero. Through structured practice, students can explore key themes such as bravery vs. pretension, stereotypes, and the contrast between appearance and reality.

This practice test also emphasizes important poetic devices used by Ogden Nash, including rhyme scheme, alliteration, repetition, and humorous exaggeration. By analyzing these elements, students gain insight into the poet’s unique style and how he uses narrative verse to engage readers while conveying deeper messages.

Ideal for board exam preparation, school assessments, and daily revision, this quiz builds confidence in answering long-form literary questions with clarity and depth. Students will learn to articulate the tone, mood, and satirical elements of the poem, enhancing both comprehension and descriptive writing.

Whether you're looking to improve your Class 10 English literature performance, refine your interpretive responses, or simply enjoy the whimsical storytelling of Custard and his companions, this quiz provides the perfect platform for interactive and effective learning.

Start your free descriptive and MCQ quiz now to master poetic analysis and score high in your CBSE Class 10 English exams.

How Our Descriptive Test on The Tale of Custard the Dragon Works

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In this descriptive quiz on The Tale of Custard the Dragon, you will:

  • Write your own answers instead of choosing from fixed options
  • Get instant evaluation with detailed, actionable feedback
  • Build clarity, communication, and critical thinking skills
  • Practice exam-focused questions from textbooks and previous years’ papers
  • Sharpen your writing to score better in school tests and board exams

Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

Marks: 2

Suggested Answer: The characters in the poem are Belinda (the girl), Ink (the little black kitten), Blink (the little grey mouse), Mustard (the yellow dog), and Custard (the dragon).

Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

Marks: 3

Suggested Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was timid and scared, unlike the other pets who boasted of their bravery. He is called a “cowardly dragon” because, despite being a fierce-looking creature, he was afraid and preferred safety over fights, which seemed unusual for a dragon.

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?

Marks: 2

Suggested Answer: Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully to tease him for being cowardly. Although he was a dragon, he was always scared and wanted a safe cage, which amused the others and made them mock him playfully for his fearfulness.

The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem (The Tale of Custard the Dragon). For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

Marks: 4

Suggested Answer: Yes, the poet has used several poetic devices in the poem: 1. Simile: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” – comparing the sound of the tail to iron. 2. Repetition: Words like “pale” and “little” are repeated for effect. 3. Alliteration: “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears.” 4. Imagery: Vivid descriptions create mental images, like “mouth like a fireplace.”

Read stanza three (of The Tale of Custard the Dragon) again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Marks: 2

Suggested Answer: In stanza three, the poet describes Custard the dragon as having big sharp teeth, spikes on top, and scales underneath. His mouth is like a fireplace, nose like a chimney, and he snorts like a dragon.

Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)?

Marks: 3

Suggested Answer: Yes, the rhyme scheme of the poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is aabb. For example, in stanza one: 1. Belinda lived in a little white house (a) 2. With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse (a) 3. And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon (b) 4. And a realio, trulio little pet dragon. (b)

Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)?

Marks: 3

Suggested Answer: Yes, the poet uses vivid imagery to create pictures in the reader’s mind. For example: - “mouth like a fireplace” gives the image of flames and heat. - “chimney for a nose” suggests smoke or steam. - “clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” creates the sound and strength of the dragon’s tail.

Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

Marks: 3

Suggested Answer: The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a light-hearted and humorous poem. The characters have funny names like Ink, Blink, and Mustard. The idea of a “cowardly dragon” is ironic and amusing. The playful rhyme and rhythm add to the comic and entertaining tone of the poem.

This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story?

Marks: 3

Suggested Answer: Yes, the song “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” by Vicki Lawrence tells a story in ballad form. It narrates a dramatic tale of betrayal, murder, and justice. Like a ballad, it uses rhyme and rhythm to unfold a gripping, emotional narrative.

Have fun writing your entertaining ballad. Use the following guidelines to write your ballad. • Purpose of writing the ballad: to entertain and interest • To whom I am writing: decide for whom you are writing • How should I structure features?: – Tell a simple narrative – A few major characters – A strong rhythm and rhyme – May have a refrain (single or two line(s) repeated often) – Divide into verses

Marks: 10

Suggested Answer: Polly the Pirate’s Parrot — A Ballad to Entertain Young Readers Verse 1 Polly the parrot was bold and bright, Squawked “Treasure ahoy!” both day and night. She sat on the shoulder of Captain Jack, With a patch on his eye and a coat jet black. Refrain “Squawk! Find the gold, don’t be slow, X marks the spot where the sea winds blow!” Verse 2 They sailed through storms and skies so blue, With a tiny crew of just twenty-two. Each time they neared a spooky isle, Polly would grin with a wicked smile. Verse 3 One day she saw a glimmering cave, “Treasure’s in there if you’re truly brave!” The crew went in with a nervous cheer, But Polly just laughed, “No danger here!” Verse 4 Inside were piles of shining coins, Rubies, emeralds, golden spoons and loins! Captain Jack danced with a silver plate, Till a giant crab scuttled out of a crate! Refrain “Squawk! Find the gold, don’t be slow, X marks the spot where the sea winds blow!” Verse 5 They ran and tripped and dropped their loot, The crab chased them out in a pirate suit! Back on the ship, they laughed till night, Polly squawked, “Well, that gave a fright!” Verse 6 Now every port where pirates dock, They tell the tale at twelve o’clock— Of a cheeky bird who loves a thrill, And a cave of gold beyond the hill. Refrain (Final) “Squawk! Find the gold, don’t be slow, X marks the spot where the sea winds blow!”

Words: 0 / 0

Important:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this descriptive quiz on "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" available for free?

Yes, you can attempt up to 5 descriptive questions per day across all quizzes, including "The Tale of Custard the Dragon", for free. To solve more and enjoy an ad-free experience, you can upgrade to premium access.

Will this test on "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" help me improve my exam performance?

Absolutely. Each quiz on The Tale of Custard the Dragon is crafted to match the relevant syllabus. You'll receive instant evaluation and detailed feedback to improve your writing, clarity, and exam readiness.

How many questions can I solve for free per day?

You can solve up to 5 descriptive questions per day across all quizzes for free. After reaching this limit, you’ll need premium access to continue receiving instant feedback. You can still write and review your answers beyond the free limit, but they won’t be evaluated instantly.

Why does descriptive practice matter?

Descriptive practice develops critical thinking, improves written expression, and strengthens your ability to organize and articulate ideas—all essential for scoring well in CBSE board exams and beyond.

Are other types of quizzes (like MCQs) and topics available for free?

Yes! You can explore our full quiz list, including free MCQ quizzes and more descriptive tests across subjects and topics. MCQ quizzes are unlimited and free to practice. For descriptive quizzes like The Tale of Custard the Dragon, the free limit of 5 evaluations per day applies across all quizzes, meaning you can attempt any 5 questions from any quiz each day.

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