Summary and Question Answer of ICSE Class 7 English , Titled “Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast (1970)"
Summary and Question Answer of ICSE Class 7 English, Titled “Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast (1970)"
“Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast (1970)”
Class 7th / English / ICSE / Summary /Line by Line Explanation/ Question and Answer /Very Small Questions / Fill In the Balnks/ True False
Summary: "”
The poem "Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast" by Charles Causley tells the amusing tale of Colonel Fazackerley, who purchases an old castle that comes with a resident ghost. The ghost, trying to scare the Colonel away, performs various supernatural feats, but instead of being frightened, the Colonel responds with casual humor. He invites the ghost to his housewarming party and even asks for an encore of his ghostly tricks. The ghost's efforts to scare the Colonel away fail, and he vanishes from the castle. Colonel Fazackerley, undisturbed by the ghostly encounter, goes inside with a smile to have his dinner.
The poem is a humorous exploration of how Colonel Fazackerley's nonchalant attitude and composure turn a potentially frightening situation into a lighthearted and entertaining encounter. It highlights the power of humor and fearlessness in the face of the unknown, making it a delightful read for both children and adults.
Line by Line Explanation
Line 1-2: "Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast Bought an old castle complete with a ghost,"
Explanation: Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast is introduced as the protagonist of the poem, who has purchased an old castle that comes with a resident ghost.
Line 3-4: "But someone or other forgot to declare To Colonel Fazak that the spectre was there."
Explanation: The seller or someone involved in the deal failed to inform Colonel Fazackerley that the castle was haunted by a ghost.
Line 5-10: "On the very first evening, while waiting to dine, The Colonel was taking a fine sherry wine, When the ghost, with a furious flash and a flare, Shot out of the chimney and shivered, 'Beware!' Colonel Fazackerley put down his glass And said, 'My dear fellow, that's really first class! I just can't conceive how you do it at all. I imagine you're going to a Fancy Dress Ball?'"
Explanation: On the first evening in the castle, as Colonel Fazackerley was having a sherry, the ghost appeared suddenly. Instead of being scared, the Colonel treats the ghost casually, assuming it's someone in a costume attending a fancy dress ball.
Line 11-14: "At this, the dread ghost made a withering cry. Said the Colonel (his monocle firm in his eye), 'Now just how you do it I wish I could think. Do sit down and tell me, and please have a drink.'"
Explanation: The ghost reacts with surprise, but the Colonel remains composed, asking the ghost to explain how he performs his ghostly tricks and invites him to have a drink.
Line 15-20: "The ghost in his phosphorous cloak gave a roar And floated about between ceiling and floor. He walked through a wall and returned through a pane And backed up the chimney and came down again. Said the Colonel, 'With laughter I'm feeling quite weak!' (As trickles of merriment ran down his cheek)."
Explanation: The ghost performs various supernatural feats, going through walls, panes, and chimneys. The Colonel finds this hilarious, laughing heartily at the ghost's antics.
Line 21-26: "'My house-warming party I hope you won't spurn. You must say you'll come and you'll give us a turn!' At this, the poor spectre - quite out of his wits - Proceeded to shake himself almost to bits. He rattled his chains and he clattered his bones And he filled the whole castle with mumbles and moans."
Explanation: The Colonel invites the ghost to his house-warming party, asking him to participate. The ghost, feeling pressured, shakes himself in distress, making noise and creating a spooky atmosphere in the castle.
Line 27-32: "But Colonel Fazackerley, just as before, Was simply delighted and called out, 'Encore!' At which the ghost vanished, his efforts in vain, And never was seen at the castle again. 'Oh dear, what a pity!' said Colonel Fazak. 'I don't know his name, so I can't call him back.'"
Explanation: Despite the ghost's efforts to scare him away, Colonel Fazackerley remains unfazed and even asks for an encore (a repeated performance). The ghost disappears and is never seen in the castle again. The Colonel expresses disappointment that he doesn't know the ghost's name, so he can't invite him back.
Line 33-36: "And then with a smile that was hard to define, Colonel Fazackerley went in to dine."
Explanation: The poem ends with Colonel Fazackerley going inside to have his dinner, seemingly unaffected by the ghostly encounter. His smile suggests his amusement at the entire situation.
20 Short Question ans Answer
Q: Who is the protagonist of the poem?
A: Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast.
Q: What did Colonel Fazackerley buy that came with an unexpected resident?
A: An old castle that came with a ghost.
Q: How does the ghost try to scare Colonel Fazackerley?
A: By performing various supernatural feats.
Q: What is Colonel Fazackerley doing when the ghost appears for the first time?
A: He is taking a fine sherry wine.
Q: How does Colonel Fazackerley react when he sees the ghost?
A: He reacts with casual humor and invites the ghost to have a drink.
Q: What does Colonel Fazackerley assume about the ghost's appearance?
A: He assumes the ghost is dressed for a Fancy Dress Ball.
Q: What does the ghost do after Colonel Fazackerley invites him to the housewarming party?
A: The ghost shakes himself and makes noise with chains and bones, trying to appear more frightening.
Q: What does Colonel Fazackerley ask the ghost for after his performance?
A: He asks the ghost for an encore (a repeated performance).
Q: Does the ghost reappear after his performance?
A: No, the ghost vanishes and is never seen at the castle again.
Q: How does the poem end?
A: Colonel Fazackerley goes inside to have his dinner with a smile on his face.
Q: How does the ghost react when Colonel Fazackerley invites him to the party?
A: The ghost is quite distressed and tries to shake himself almost to bits.
Q: What does the ghost do to try and scare Colonel Fazackerley?
A: The ghost rattles his chains and clatters his bones, filling the castle with mumbles and moans.
Q: What kind of wine is Colonel Fazackerley drinking when the ghost appears?
A: He is drinking a fine sherry wine.
Q: Why does Colonel Fazackerley invite the ghost to the housewarming party?
A: He finds the ghost's performance amusing and wants him to participate in the party.
Q: Does Colonel Fazackerley get scared by the ghost's appearances?
A: No, he remains composed and finds the situation amusing.
Q: How does the ghost try to appear frightening during his performance?
A: He floats between ceiling and floor, walks through walls and panes, and makes noise with chains and bones.
Q: Does the ghost succeed in scaring Colonel Fazackerley away from the castle?
A: No, the ghost's efforts are in vain; Colonel Fazackerley remains unfazed.
Q: What is the ghost's reaction when Colonel Fazackerley asks for an encore?
A: The ghost vanishes, unable to perform again.
Q: What is Colonel Fazackerley's demeanor throughout the poem?
A: He is calm, composed, and finds humor in the ghost's attempts to scare him.
Q: How does the ghost feel after Colonel Fazackerley's invitation to the party?
A: The ghost is quite distressed and tries to shake himself almost to bits.
25 Multiple Choice Questiion
What did Colonel Fazackerley buy that came with a ghost?
A. A car
B. A castle
C. A horse
D. A painting
Answer: B. A castle
Who forgot to inform Colonel Fazackerley about the ghost in the castle?
A. The ghost
B. The real estate agent
C. Colonel Fazackerley's friend
D. The castle's previous owner
Answer: B. The real estate agent
What was Colonel Fazackerley drinking when the ghost appeared?
A. Tea
B. Coffee
C. Sherry wine
D. Lemonade
Answer: C. Sherry wine
How does the ghost try to scare Colonel Fazackerley?
A. By shouting loudly
B. By showing a scary face
C. By performing supernatural feats
D. By making funny noises
Answer: C. By performing supernatural feats
How does Colonel Fazackerley react when the ghost warns him to beware?
A. He screams in fear
B. He ignores the ghost
C. He invites the ghost for a drink
D. He runs away from the castle
Answer: C. He invites the ghost for a drink
What does Colonel Fazackerley ask the ghost about its abilities?
A. How it flies
B. How it disappears
C. How it performs its tricks
D. How it scares people
Answer: C. How it performs its tricks
What does the ghost wear?
A. A hat
B. A cloak
C. Glasses
D. A wig
Answer: B. A cloak
How does the ghost move around the castle?
A. By walking through walls and panes
B. By using a ladder
C. By opening doors
D. By teleporting
Answer: A. By walking through walls and panes
What does Colonel Fazackerley invite the ghost to?
A. A dance party
B. A costume party
C. A house-warming party
D. A ghostly gathering
Answer: C. A house-warming party
How does the ghost react when Colonel Fazackerley invites him to the party?
A. It disappears
B. It becomes happy
C. It starts crying
D. It shakes itself in distress
Answer: D. It shakes itself in distress
What does the ghost do to create a spooky atmosphere in the castle?
A. Rattles chains and clatters bones
B. Plays loud music
C. Opens and closes doors
D. Throws objects around
Answer: A. Rattles chains and clatters bones
What does Colonel Fazackerley say when the ghost vanishes?
A. "Goodbye, my friend!"
B. "Come back soon!"
C. "Encore!"
D. "I'll miss you!"
Answer: C. "Encore!"
What is the ghost's reaction to Colonel Fazackerley's invitation to the party?
A. It agrees happily
B. It ignores the invitation
C. It vanishes
D. It refuses politely
Answer: C. It vanishes
What does Colonel Fazackerley wish he could do to call the ghost back?
A. Yell its name
B. Play a tune
C. Ring a bell
D. Call it back using magic words
Answer: A. Yell its name
What does the poem's ending suggest about Colonel Fazackerley?
A. He is disappointed
B. He is scared
C. He is amused and relaxed
D. He is angry
Answer: C. He is amused and relaxed
What does Colonel Fazackerley find hard to define in the poem's ending?
A. The ghost's appearance
B. His own laughter
C. The taste of the dinner
D. The time of day
Answer: B. His own laughter
What is the predominant mood of the poem?
A. Fear
B. Humor
C. Sadness
D. Excitement
Answer: B. Humor
How does Colonel Fazackerley react when the ghost warns him to beware?
A. He faints
B. He invites the ghost for a drink
C. He runs away
D. He scolds the ghost
Answer: B. He invites the ghost for a drink
What is the ghost's reaction when Colonel Fazackerley asks him to perform more tricks?
A. It happily agrees
B. It becomes angry
C. It disappears
D. It shakes itself in distress
Answer: C. It disappears
What is the ghost's initial reaction when Colonel Fazackerley suggests it's going to a Fancy Dress Ball?
A. It smiles
B. It cries
C. It gets angry
D. It doesn't respond
Answer: A. It smiles
What does the ghost do after floating about between ceiling and floor?
A. Goes to sleep
B. Walks through a wall and returns through a pane
C. Hides in a closet
D. Sits down for a chat
Answer: B. Walks through a wall and returns through a pane
How does Colonel Fazackerley react to the ghost's warning, 'Beware!'?
A. He becomes frightened and runs away
B. He laughs and invites the ghost for a drink
C. He scolds the ghost for scaring him
D. He ignores the ghost and continues drinking
Answer: B. He laughs and invites the ghost for a drink
What does the ghost do when Colonel Fazackerley calls for an encore?
A. It performs another trick
B. It disappears
C. It claps for itself
D. It brings more ghosts to the party
Answer: B. It disappears
What does Colonel Fazackerley suggest the ghost should do when he invites him to the house-warming party?
A. Bring his ghostly friends
B. Wear a better costume
C. Give a performance
D. Play the piano
Answer: C. Give a performance
How does Colonel Fazackerley feel about the ghost's disappearance at the end of the poem?
A. He is disappointed
B. He is relieved
C. He is angry
D. He is scared
Answer: B. He is relieved
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25 Fill in the Blanks
1. Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast bought an old castle complete with a __________.
ghost
2. The ghost in the poem makes a __________ when it appears.
roar
3. Colonel Fazackerley offers the ghost a __________.
drink
4. The ghost floats about between __________ and __________.
ceiling, floor
5. The Colonel asks the ghost if it's going to a __________.
Fancy Dress Ball
6. The ghost rattles its __________ and clatters its __________.
chains, bones
7. Colonel Fazackerley invites the ghost to his __________.
house-warming party
8. The ghost vanishes and is never seen at the castle __________.
again
9. The Colonel expresses disappointment that he doesn't know the ghost's __________.
name
10. Colonel Fazackerley's last name is __________.
- Butterworth-Toast
11. The ghost makes a withering __________ when Colonel Fazackerley asks him to sit down.
- cry
12. The Colonel remains __________ when he sees the ghost.
- composed
13. The ghost walks through a __________ and returns through a __________.
- wall, pane
14. The ghost gives a furious flash and a __________ when it appears.
- flare
15. Colonel Fazackerley finds the ghost's antics __________.
- hilarious
16. The ghost shivers and warns Colonel Fazackerley to __________.
- beware
17. Colonel Fazackerley invites the ghost to __________.
- have a drink
18. The ghost fills the whole castle with __________ and __________.
- mumbles, moans
19. Colonel Fazackerley goes inside with a __________ after the ghost disappears.
- smile
20. The ghost floats about between __________ and __________.
- ceiling, floor
21. Colonel Fazackerley is delighted and calls out, '__________!'
- Encore
22. The ghost shakes himself almost to __________ when asked to perform at the party.
- bits
23. The Colonel asks the ghost to __________.
- sit down
24. The ghost proceeds to __________ himself almost to bits.
- shake
25. Colonel Fazackerley goes in to __________ after the ghost vanishes.
- dine
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25 True/False
1. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast bought a castle with a ghost.
• True
2. True/False: The ghost in the poem was friendly and helpful.
• False
3. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley was terrified when he saw the ghost for the first time.
• False
4. True/False: The ghost appeared to Colonel Fazackerley while he was having dinner.
• True
5. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley was drinking tea when he first encountered the ghost.
• False
6. True/False: The ghost warned Colonel Fazackerley to be cautious.
• True
7. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley thought the ghost's appearance was part of a costume for a party.
• True
8. True/False: The ghost vanished when Colonel Fazackerley asked him to come to his housewarming party.
• False
9. True/False: The ghost was successful in scaring Colonel Fazackerley away from the castle.
• False
10. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley felt pity for the ghost when he disappeared.
• False
11. True/False: The poem suggests that Colonel Fazackerley was easily frightened.
• False
12. True/False: The ghost in the poem was pleased when Colonel Fazackerley invited him to the party.
• False
13. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast was the one who vanished in the end.
• False
14. True/False: The ghost's attempts to scare Colonel Fazackerley were unsuccessful.
• True
15. True/False: The ghost was dressed in a phosphorous cloak.
• True
16. True/False: The poem suggests that the ghost was frustrated by Colonel Fazackerley's reactions.
• True
17. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley was indifferent to the ghost's antics.
• False
18. True/False: The ghost used chains and bones to scare Colonel Fazackerley.
• True
19. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley was never seen at the castle again after the ghost vanished.
• False
20. True/False: The ghost was persistent in trying to scare Colonel Fazackerley throughout the poem.
• True
21. True/False: The poem conveys a serious and frightening atmosphere.
• False
22. True/False: Colonel Fazackerley was frightened but tried to hide his fear from the ghost.
• False
23. True/False: The ghost was impressed with Colonel Fazackerley's bravery.
• False
24. True/False: The poem ends with Colonel Fazackerley feeling regretful.
• False
25. True/False: The poem illustrates the power of humor and fearlessness in facing the unknown.
• True