The aliens in the play speak English. Do you think this is their language? What could be the language of aliens?

In what ways does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as threats to the Martians? Can you think of42-15 any incidents where you misinterpreted a word or an action? How did you resolve the misunderstanding?

Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favorite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.

Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do away with books altogether?

If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?

Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?

What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on earth ?

Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?

Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’ ?

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

Thinking About the Poem. 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?

Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

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?

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

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

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

Thinking about Language. In the following sentences fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. One has been done for you.

Thinking about Language. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and then use each in a sentence of your own : (i) You may take it that (ii) He seems to be coming round (iii)My foot’s gone to sleep

Thinking about Language. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play? Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.

Thinking About the Play. (iii)Can you now imagine what these characters will quarrel about next?

Thinking About the Play. (ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play.

Thinking About the Play. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other, and the accusations and insults they hurl at each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier,Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, doublefaced intriguer.” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as “an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated.”)

Thinking About the Play. Chubukov says of Natalya: “……. as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat……” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Thinking About the Play. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says ‘And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.