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Question
A ballad includes the telling of a tale as well as a surprise ending. Using evidence from the poem, explain how these features are included in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.
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Solution
- Tale: The poem tells the story of Custard, the dragon (setting, characters, rising action, climax, resolution).
- portrays his life with Belinda and the other pets where he is considered a coward.
- The surprise ending: The end of the poem shows how Custard rose to the occasion; gobbled the pirate and proved his bravery.
Notes
The question indicates that the examiner knows the elements of a ballad and that the poem has a few and hence that requires no elaboration.
The question needs an answer identifying the features that match the listed aspects of a ballad.
Content -
Award 1 mark for a full explanation of the two strands (Tale and Surprise ending).
Award ½ mark for a partial explanation.
Expression -
1 mark when both aspects are included.
✓ Answer organised effectively
✓ usage of words linking the ballad to evidence from the poem (similarly, just as etc.)
½ mark when either aspect is missing
Deduct ½ mark from the overall score if the error density is high (more than a total of 2 spellings and grammatical errors).
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” - the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Describe Custard the dragon.
Describe the pirate in the 'Tale of Custard the Dragon.'
How did Custard prove 'the cowardly dragon' tag to be untrue?
What did everyone laugh at the realio, trulio dragon?
How was Belinda's behaviour with the dragon?
How does Ogden Nash's The Tale of Custard the Dragon challenge the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations?
Answer the following in about 40-50 words:
Describe how Custard the dragon fights with the Pirate.
