Define the word ‘brag’ as used in the poem and give the exact line where a pet uses it.
Answer
Brag means to boast about one’s abilities; the line is “I’m a brave and dashing hero— I’m a lion at the door”.
The correct answer is Brag means to boast about one’s abilities; the line is “I’m a brave and dashing hero— I’m a lion at the door”. — Combine the definition and the quoted line into a single answer.
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the word ‘brag’ in the context of the poem.
- Interpret its meaning as ‘to boast or talk proudly about oneself’.
- Search the poem for the line where a pet boasts.
- Quote the exact line that contains the boasting.
- Combine the definition and the quoted line into a single answer.
Common mistake: Giving the meaning of ‘brag’ but omitting the supporting line from the poem.
Concept tested: Vocabulary in context
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
Related questions
- 1 What does the word 'bragging' mean in the context of the poem, and which pet uses it?
- 2 Which stanza best illustrates the reversal of expectations about bravery, and what literary technique is employed?
- 3 In Ogden Nash's poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon", which pet declares “I can roar like a lion” when the pirate appears?
- 4 Write a short paragraph (80‑100 words) explaining how the poet uses humor to contrast the pets' attitudes toward danger.
- 5 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' presents a humorous contrast between boasting and actual bravery. Elaborate on this theme with reference to the characters in the poem.
- 6 In Ogden Nash's poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon", which pet claims to be the bravest?