NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English - Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After My Teeth

Q1. On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the following table.

Ans:

Q2. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by ticking the correct choice :
(a) The title ‘Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth’ expresses ___________.
(i) regret
(ii) humour
(iii) longing
(iv) pleasure

Ans: (i) regret

The title ‘Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth’ expresses regret. The speaker reflects on their past choices regarding dental care, wishing they had made better decisions to avoid the consequences of poor dental hygiene.

(b) The conscience of the speaker pricks her as she has ___________.
(i) been careless
(ii) been ignorant
(iii) been fun-loving
(iv) been rude

Ans: (i) been careless

The conscience of the speaker pricks her because she has been careless.

(c) The speaker says that she has paved the way for cavities and decay by ___________.
(i) eating the wrong food and not brushing
(ii) not listening to her mother
(iii) laughing at her mother’s false teeth
(iv) not listening to the dentist

Ans: (i) eating the wrong food and not brushing

The speaker indicates that she has paved the way for cavities and decay by eating the wrong food and not brushing her teeth.

(d) The tone of the narrator is one of ________.
(i) joy
(ii) nostalgia
(iii) regret
(iv) sorrow

Ans: (iii) regret

The tone of the narrator is one of regret. This sentiment reflects a sense of sorrow for past choices, particularly regarding dental care. The narrator expresses a wish that they had taken better care of their teeth, indicating a realisation of the consequences of neglect.

Q3. Answer the following questions.
(a) But up and down brushin’
 And pokin’ and fussin’
 Didn’t seem worth the time – I could bite”
 What do these lines convey?
Ans: The poet describes her experience of brushing her teeth with upward and downward strokes, using a lot of toothpaste, but ultimately feeling it was futile. She expresses her inability to bite and eat properly, highlighting her earlier belief that brushing was unnecessary, which she now regrets. These lines convey her realisation of the importance of looking after her teeth.

(b) Why did the poet go to the dentist? How could she have avoided it?
Ans: The poet went to the dentist because she had neglected her teeth, leading to decay and cavities. Unfortunately, this visit was unavoidable. She could have avoided it by being more careful and less stubborn during her youth.

(c) “If you got a tooth, you got a friend.” What do you understand from the line?
Ans: Friends are always there for us, supporting us through challenges and celebrating our happiness. In a similar way, our teeth serve as lifelong companions, allowing us to enjoy life fully. They are essential to our well-being and happiness.

(d) With reference to the poem, how can you look after your teeth?
Ans: To maintain healthy teeth, it is essential to avoid consuming sweet and sticky foods, as well as overeating candies. When we eat them occasionally, we must brush immediately. Moreover, we must also have the willpower to resist them.

(e) Give an appropriate proverb that conveys the meaning that this poem carries.
Ans: The most fitting proverb that comes to mind after reading this poem is “Prevention is better than cure.” If the poet had adhered to this advice, she would not have needed to visit the dentist.

Q4. "I can't afford to, after what Jack's done to his teeth." What is it, you think, you can not afford to do and why? Write a diary entry of not less than 125 words.

Ans.  

Tuesday, 20th June 2023

10 pm

Dear Diary,

I can’t afford to ignore my dental health, especially after seeing what happened to Jack’s teeth. Today, I ran into Jack after almost a week. He hasn’t been at school lately because he’s been going to the dentist for tooth pain. The dentist warned him that more trouble could be coming if he didn’t stop eating chocolates. It was awful seeing him in so much pain. Just thinking about going to the dentist makes me shudder. I can’t afford to have candies, chocolates, or ice cream anymore. I really don’t want to end up like Jack. They say it’s better to prevent problems than to deal with them later, and I’m going to take that advice seriously.

Q5. In line 35, the poet has misspelt the word ‘amalgum’. Why do you think she has done that? Discuss.
Ans. The poet intentionally misspells ‘amalgam’ as ‘amalgum’ to create a pun. It hints at ‘chewing gum’, which is often linked with tooth decay. This wordplay adds humour to the poem and keeps the tone light despite the serious message.