Question

Read the given extract and answer the question:

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. (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

I. What inference can be drawn from the repetition of ‘suddenly, suddenly’ in the above extract?     (1)

1. The scene shook the house.
2. It highlights the swift assault.
3. It emphasises that an unexpected noise was heard.
4. It directs our notice to Mustard’s growling.

II. Despite its symbolism of captivity, what leads Custard to have a preference for staying in a cage?     (2)

III. Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the lines of the first four lines of the given extract:     (1)

1. Through the telescope she saw a star
   which she thought was very far
   She stretched her hand
   and felt the crumble of the sand.
2. Through the telescope she saw a star
   She stretched her hand
   As it was very far
   But felt the crumble of the sand.
3. Through the telescope she saw a star
   Which she thought was very far
   Her hand she stretched
   But felt the crumble of the sand.
4. Through the telescope she saw a star
   Which she thought was very far
   Her hand she stretched afar
   But felt the crumble of the sand.

IV. In the given extract, the difference between the other animals and Custard is that Custard behaves like a ______ (coward/dragon).     (1)

Answer 1

I. It emphasises that an unexpected noise was heard.

II. Custard is presented as a shy and timid dragon. He admits his anxieties and looks for safety despite being a dragon. He thinks that being in a cage will shield him from the perils and threats of the outer world. Even though other pets make fun of him, Custard’s desire for a cage emphasizes how frequently people put safety over freedom.

III.

Through the telescope she saw a star
which she thought was very far
She stretched her hand
and felt the crumble of the sand.

IV. In the given extract, the difference between the other animals and Custard is that Custard behaves like a coward.