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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’.
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
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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.
Answer the following in about 40-50 words:
What character trait is revealed of Custard when he accepts that the other animals are braver than him.
Answer the following in about 40-50 words:
Describe the pirate who comes through the window.
Read the following extract and answer the questions:
| Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard cried for a nice safe cage. |
- Comment upon the contrast that is reflected in the last two lines of the extract.
- Fill in the blank with one word.
While describing Ink and Blink, the speaker says that they could chase lions down the stairs.
By saying so, he is revealing the _______ characteristic of their personality. - Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines in about 40 words.
- Which of the following best describes the theme of the poem?
- Bravery and heroism
- Humility leads to bravery
- Valour and diligence
- Crisis reveals character
