The Tale of Custard the Dragon — Grammar Exercises
Two grammar exercises based on real NCERT sentences from this chapter. Practise the editing and gap-filling formats tested in CBSE Section B.
Exercise 1Editing / Error Correction
The sentence below has one grammatical error. Find the incorrect word and write the correction.
Show Answer & Explanation
'Mock' is the present tense form. The story of Custard is told in the past tense — all events have already happened. The simple past of 'mock' is 'mocked' (regular verb: add '-ed'). The sentence uses 'cried' (past tense) just after, confirming the past tense context. Mixing 'mock' (present) with 'cried' (past) creates a tense inconsistency.
Exercise 2Gap Filling
Choose the option that best fills the blank in the sentence below.
Show Answer & Explanation
Ogden Nash writes 'With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm, / He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.' The word 'squirm' is verified from the NCERT text and describes Custard's clumsy, wriggling movement even in his moment of heroism. It adds to the poem's comic effect — he is brave but awkward.
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