Vitamin-M
Exercise Question
Check Your Understanding
I. Describe how Ravi’s emotional reaction upon finding Grandpa safe at home reveals his feelings towards his grandfather.
Ans:- Ravi felt very relieved and happy when he found Grandpa safe at home. He hugged him with affection, which shows that he deeply cares for and loves his grandfather. His worry and relief reveal his strong emotional bond with him.
II. What might be the significance of Grandpa’s habit of giving gifts to everyone on his birthday rather than receiving them?
Ans:- Grandpa’s habit shows that he is kind, generous, and caring. He finds happiness in giving rather than receiving, which reflects his loving nature towards his family.
III. Why do you think Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book as a gift? What might this suggest about Grandpa’s awareness of Ravi’s actions earlier in the day?
Ans:- Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book to hint that he knew Ravi was following him. This suggests that Grandpa was aware of Ravi’s actions and playfully teased him through the gift.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Grandpa hated the noise and bustle of city life and when they were on their own, he often spoke
longingly of his small brick house in town. “Such a wonderful place…! With that big mango tree in the
garden! It is so quiet that at dusk you can even hear a leaf fall!” But then Grandpa had slipped and fallen in the garden late one evening while he was pottering around and lain outside all night because there was no one at home to help him up.
(i) Choose the emotion displayed by the Grandfather.
A. regretful
B. apologetic
C. nostalgic
D. wistful
Ans: C. nostalgic
(ii) Complete the following sentence with a reason.
Grandpa hated the busy and noisy city life because ___________.
Ans: because it was crowded and noisy, unlike his peaceful house in the town.
(iii) Why did Grandpa come to the city despite his dislike for city life?
Ans: Grandpa came to the city because he had fallen in his house and there was no one to help or take care of him.
(iv) Choose an expression similar in meaning to, ‘you can even hear a leaf fall’.
A. end of one’s life
B. arrival of autumn
C. sign of good luck
D. pin drop silence
Ans: D. pin drop silence
(v) State one advantage and one disadvantage of the Grandfather living in the house in town.
Ans:– Advantage: It was peaceful and quiet.
Disadvantage: There was no one to help him in case of emergency.
2. “I had a quiet morning, but I don’t know about Ravi. He just disappeared instead of staying at home
to look after me like you told him to,” answered Grandpa coolly, while Ravi just looked confused and embarrassed.
Grandpa had another surprise for Ravi. A gift-wrapped parcel! “But, Papa, Ravi’s birthday was three months ago. Have you forgotten?” exclaimed Ravi’s mother, impatiently.
“But, Papa, Ravi’s birthday was three months ago. Have you forgotten?” exclaimed Ravi’s mother,
impatiently.
(i) Choose the option that displays the tone of the Grandfather’s response.
A. apologetic
B. hurtful
C. calm
D. puzzled
Ans:- C. calm
(ii) Why was Ravi confused and embarrassed?
Ans:- Ravi was confused and embarrassed because Grandpa said that Ravi had disappeared instead of taking care of him. Ravi felt guilty as he had secretly followed Grandpa.
(iii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.
Ravi’s mother was impatient because __________________.
Ans:- Ravi’s mother was impatient because she thought that Grandpa had forgotten Ravi’s birthday.
(iv) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
Grandfather forgot that Ravi’s birthday was three months ago.
Ans:- False
(v) Why did Grandpa say he didn’t know what kind of morning Ravi might have had?
Ans:- Grandpa said this because he knew that Ravi had been following him and was teasing him in a playful manner.
II Answer the following questions.
1. Grandpa is portrayed as a person with failing memory in the beginning of the story. Give two evidences to disprove the statement.
Ans:- Grandpa remembers many chess games and famous players clearly. He also plans his outing smartly and returns home safely, showing his memory is still strong.
2. Give two characteristic traits of each of the following characters.
(i) Grandfather
Ans:- Intelligent and playful
(ii) Ravi
Ans:- Caring and curious
(iii) Ravi’s mother
Ans:- Caring and overprotective
3. Why was Ravi worried about what Grandfather had at the tea stall?
Ans:- Ravi was worried because Grandpa was eating and drinking things like sugary tea, bananas, and ice cream which were not allowed for his health.
4. Do you think it was easy for Ravi to follow his Grandfather? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Ans:- No, it was not easy because Ravi had to hide, got scolded by people, and faced many embarrassing situations while following him.
5. ‘Ravi is a good detective’. Give one argument in favour of and against the given statement.
Ans:- In favour: Ravi carefully followed Grandpa to keep him safe.
Against: He made mistakes and got into trouble, so he was not very skilled.
6. Was Grandfather aware that Ravi was following him? How do you know?
Ans:- Yes, Grandpa was aware because he cleverly misled Ravi and later hinted about it by giving him a detective story book.
7. In your opinion, who needs Vitamin-M? And why?
Ans:- Ravi’s mother needs Vitamin-M because she forgets things like Grandpa’s birthday and worries unnecessarily about him.
8. Some people believe society shows bias based on age (being young or old). Give an example where you might have experienced or observed such discrimination, when opinions were disregarded because of age.
Ans:- Sometimes children’s ideas are ignored by elders just because they are young, even if their suggestions are useful.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. Classify the words given in the box on the next page into movement words in Column 1 and sound words in Column 2. One example has been done for you.
Ans:-
| Column 1 (Movement Words) | Column 2 (Sound Words) |
|---|---|
| pottering | boomed |
| twirling | shrieks |
| crouch | thudded |
| crawl | whirr |
| creeping | grunted |
| ducked | snoring |
| zigzagging | |
| briskly | |
| sprinting | |
| jumping | |
| darted | |
| trailing | |
| evicted | |
| bustle |
Now, fill in the blanks with appropriate words from Column 1 or Column 2.
Detective Shankar, 1. trailing the mysterious suspect through the dimly lit side lanes, away from the 2. bustle of the city, quickened his pace 3. briskly. The suspect’s heavy footsteps 4. thudded across the street, unaware of the pursuit. Shankar 5. darted his magnifying glass had to 6. crouch behind the market stalls, 7. creeping through the lanes to avoid being seen. Shankar 8. grunted when he hit himself against a pole. This alarmed the suspect and he 9. sprinting into the night leaving only the distant 10. whirr of the sleeping city behind.
II. Study the highlighted word in the given sentence from the text and fill in the boxes with synonymous words. You may refer to a dictionary. Off he went, twirling his walking stick jauntily, leaving Ravi in a dilemma
Ans:-
- QUANDARY
- PREDICAMENT
III. Fill in the table given below. Check your answers with the help of a dictionary.
Ans:-
| Word | Meaning | Part of Speech | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| craftily | in a clever and tricky way | Adverb | cleverly | honestly |
| dilemma | a situation of difficult choice | Noun | quandary | certainty |
| furious | very angry | Adjective | angry | calm |
| boomed | made a loud deep sound | Verb | roared | whispered |
| humiliation | feeling of shame or embarrassment | Noun | disgrace | pride |
| attire | clothes or outfit | Noun | clothing | undress |
IV Match the emotions/expressions in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. One meaning is extra.
Ans:-
Extra meaning (not used ): (iii) to be confused
V. Read the highlighted words in the following phrases from the story. Now, revisit the story and underline the prepositions.
I’ll just walk across, to the corner shop…
…he felt a shadow fall over him…
…the vendors sitting under the tree…
Ravi took position behind a big banyan tree…
Now, fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.
I walked (i) through the village, crossed a bridge (ii) over a brook, and found a quiet garden (iii) near a cottage. Sitting on a bench (iv) in the garden, I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. Later, I strolled (v) along a riverbank, exploring the forest and heading (vi) into the unknown.
VI. Read the following dialogues from the story.
1. “Shall we play chess or watch the cricket match on TV, Grandpa?” asked Ravi.
2. “Who are you?” said the little boy’s mother.
3. “What did you both do today?” asked Ravi’s mother.
4. “Have you forgotten?” countered Grandpa.
5. A small child came up to him and asked, “Are you playing hide and seek?”
Now, choose the correct answer.
A. The words in the quotes are (i) interrogative (exclamatory/interrogative) sentences.
B. Sentences 1, 4, and 5 are (ii) Yes/No type (Wh-/Yes, No type) interrogative sentences.
C. Sentences 2 and 3 are (iii) Wh- type (Wh-/Yes, No type) interrogative sentences.
So, there are (iv) two (two/three) types of interrogative sentences.
VII Read the following conversation.
Arvind: Do you help in taking care of your grandparents at home?
Priya: Yes, I do. We take turns making sure they’re alright. Do you have grandparents living with you
Arvind: No. My parents and I visit my grandpa every weekend. How do you manage your grandparents’ medical needs?
Priya: We have a schedule for giving medications and visits to the doctor.
Now, complete the following sentences in reported speech.
Ans :-
Arvind asked Priya if she 1. helped in taking care of her grandparents at home, for which Priya replied in the affirmative and said that they 2. took turns making sure they were alright. Priya further asked Arvind 3. if he had grandparents living with him. Arvind replied in the negative and said that 4. his parents and he visited his grandpa every weekend. He further enquired
5. how they managed their grandparents’ medical needs. Priya responded by saying that they
6. had a schedule for giving medications and visits to the doctor.
Writing Task
I. As you read in the story, we have a lot to learn from our elderly. Based on the lessons learned from them, write an article for your school magazine on the topic ‘Our Inspiring Elderly’.
Ans:-
Our Inspiring Elderly
By Jeetu, Class IX
Elderly people are a valuable part of our lives. They are full of wisdom, experience, and life lessons that guide us in the right direction. We have a lot to learn from them, and they play an important role in shaping our thoughts and values.
The elderly inspire us in many ways. They teach us patience, kindness, and respect. Through their stories and experiences, we learn about life’s struggles and successes. For example, grandparents often share how they worked hard in difficult times and never gave up. Their simple living and strong values remind us to stay grounded and grateful. As it is often said, “Experience is the best teacher,” and the elderly truly represent this idea.
Despite facing many challenges like health issues and loneliness, elderly people show great strength and courage. They adjust to changes and continue to care for their families. Their positive attitude and determination inspire me to stay strong during tough times. I have learned from them to respect others, be patient, and value relationships.
In conclusion, our elderly are a source of inspiration and guidance. We should respect, care for, and learn from them. Their life lessons help us become better individuals and responsible citizens. Let us always value their presence and keep their wisdom alive in our lives.
Questions within the Lesson
NCERT Intext Questions for Class 9 English – ( Page no – 97 & 98 )
Reflect and Respond
I. From your experience with an elderly person at home or in your neighbourhood, complete the following graphic organiser.
Ans:- 1. Why should we care for the elderly?
We should care for the elderly because they become weak and dependent in old age.
They need love, attention, and support from family members.
They have given their lives to caring for others, so they deserve respect and care.
2. What are the problems faced by the elderly?
They suffer from weak memory and forget things easily.
They have poor eyesight and hearing.
They face health problems and physical weakness.
They may feel lonely and helpless.
Sometimes they make mistakes like taking wrong medicines or getting lost.
3. What could be the possible reasons for the problems faced?
Old age leads to physical and mental decline.
Living alone without proper care.
Loss of close family members.
Change in environment (like moving from village to city).
4. How can we take care of the elderly?
We should spend time with them and talk to them kindly.
Help them in daily activities and give medicines on time.
Ensure their safety and do not let them go out alone if risky.
Treat them with respect and patience.
Keep them happy and make them feel loved.
II Fill in the table given below. You may check your answers with the help of a dictionary
Ans:-
III Think of a tradition, story, or recipe passed down by grandparents or an elderly relative in your family. What does it mean to you? How does it connect you to your growing-up years? Share with your classmates and teacher.
Ans:- A special recipe passed down to me by my grandmother is her homemade sweets. She used to make them during festivals and family gatherings. This recipe means a lot to me because it reminds me of the love and care she put into everything she did.
It connects me to my growing-up years as I remember sitting with her in the kitchen, watching and learning from her. Those moments were full of warmth, happiness, and bonding. Even today, when I make the same recipe, it brings back beautiful memories of my childhood and keeps me connected to my grandmother.
NCERT Intext Questions for Class 9 English ( Page no – 102 )
( Check Your Understanding – I )
I. Why did Grandpa dislike living in the city with his daughter?
Ans:- Grandpa disliked living in the city because it was noisy, crowded, and very different from his quiet home in the town where he enjoyed peace and nature.
II. Why did Vidya not want her father to go out alone?
Ans:- Vidya did not want her father to go out alone because he was old, forgetful, and had earlier taken a wrong dose of medicine and even got lost once.
III. Was Ravi in favour of his mother treating Grandpa like a child? How can you say so?
Ans:- No, Ravi was not in favour of his mother treating Grandpa like a child. This is shown when he felt uncomfortable and winced at the loud tone his mother used while speaking to Grandpa.
IV. Would Ravi be able to keep up his promise to his mother?
Ans:- No, Ravi would not be able to keep his promise because he allowed Grandpa to go out alone and then secretly followed him instead of stopping him.
NCERT Intext Questions for Class 9 English ( Page no – 106 & 107 )
( Check Your Understanding – II )
I Complete the below chart by describing Grandpa’s day out.
Ans:-
II. Was Grandpa lost as feared by Ravi’s mother?
Ans :- No, Grandpa was not lost. He was safe and returned home on his own.
III. How would Ravi feel after seeing Grandpa?
Ans :- Ravi would feel very relieved and happy because he was worried about his grandfather. Seeing him safe made him feel relaxed.
IV. Do you think Ravi’s mother will get to know about what had happened?
Ans :- No, Ravi’s mother will not get to know about what had happened because neither Ravi nor Grandpa told her anything about it.












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