Unit-11 : Solutions of Questions on Page Number : 84
Q1 : Parents alone are responsible for inculcating a good sense of dental hygieneamongst children. Do you agree/disagree? Discuss with your partner.
Answer :
This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own.
Q2 : On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the following table.
| Stages in the life of the poet (a) Youth |
Activities eating toffees __________________ |
Consequences _________________ |
| (b) Adulthood | _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ |
gazing at the dentist in despair. |
Answer :
| Stages in the life of the poet (a) Youth |
Activities eating toffees |
Consequences Paving way to cavities, caps and |
| (b) Adulthood | Going to the dentist due to tooth decay, amalgamation, drilling and fillings. |
gazing at the dentist in despair. |
Q3 : On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by ticking the correct choice.
The title ‘Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth’ expresses ____________.
(i) regret
(ii) humour
(iii) longing
(iv) pleasure
Answer :
(i)regret
Q4 : The conscience of the speaker pricks her as she has ______________.
(i) been careless
(ii) been ignorant
(iii) been fun loving
(iv) been rude
Answer :
(i) been careless
Q5 : 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 his mother
(iii) laughing at his mother’s false teeth
(iv) not listening to the dentist
Answer :
(i)eating the wrong food and not brushing
Q6 : The tone of the narrator is one of ____________.
(i) joy
(ii) nostalgia
(iii) regret
(iv) sorrow
Answer :
(iii) regret
Q7 : Answer the following questions.
“…But up-and-down brushin’
And pokin’ and fussin’
Didn’t seem worth the time- I could bite!”
What do these lines convey?
Answer :
The above lines mean that the poet didn’t brush her teeth properly in her childhood, which has now caused problems for her in the form of tooth decay. Trying to remove infection and save her teeth from getting decayed was in vain as it was too late then.
Q8 : Why did the poet go to the dentist? How could she have avoided it?
Answer :
The poet went to the dentist to get treatment for her tooth decay. Her teeth had cavities, caps and decay. If she would have had taken proper care of her teeth since her childhood by not eating too many sweets and brushing her teeth properly, then she could have avoided going to the dentist so early in life.
Q9 : “If you got a tooth, you got a friend.” What do you understand from the line?
Answer :
The line “If you got a tooth, you got a friend” conveys the message that we must always take care of our teeth as they help us in eating and relishing our food. We should never be careless as teeth help us in making in possible to derive pleasure from eating. Also, it will lead to lose of that sweet smile of yours.
Q10 : With reference to the poem, how can you look after your teeth?
Answer :
Pointers have been provided for students’ reference.
It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.
- Brush your teeth daily for minimum twice a day;
- Wash your mouth every time you eat something sweet;
- Use a dry bristle brush for the first two minutes of
cleaning; - Spend time moving the bristles at and below the gum line,
where it is most important to clean; - Visit your dentist within short
intervals.
Q11 : Given an appropriate proverb that conveys the message that this poem carries.
Answer :
Pointers have been provided for students’ reference.
It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.
Proverbs that convey the message of this poem:
(i) A stitch in time saves nine,
(ii) There is no point crying over spilled milk, and
(iii) Prevention is always better than cure.