CBSE Class 9EnglishQuestions & AnswersChapter level
Vitamin-M Questions & Answers | Class 9 English | CBSE NCERT
Chapter-wise questions and answers for Vitamin-M in Class 9 English, with a clear summary, key points, and exam-ready model answers.
What you will find on this page: a clear chapter summary, revision notes, word meanings, important questions, MCQs, and exam-ready question answers for Class 9 English.
After reviewing the chapter explanation, answer the short-answer, long-answer, extract-based, and objective questions below.
About 168 min readVitamin-MUpdated 29 Sep 2026
Questions and answers
1 marks · direct
1. (i) What does Ravi's mother wish somebody would invent?
(a) a new medicine for weak eyesight
(b) a memory vitamin called Vitamin-M for old people
(c) a stronger hearing aid
(d) a tablet for children
"I wish," said Ravi's mother, hurriedly putting some green, red and orange tablets on a saucer, "that somebody would invent a memory — Vitamin-M, they could call it, and we could give it to old people to help them improve their memories." "Shh … Grandpa'll hear you," said Ravi, pointing to the frail old figure sitting in the rocking chair, holding the newspaper inches from his nose to read it. "Don't worry, I doubt whether Grandpa can hear me. He doesn't hear too well, or see too well, or even remember too well these days."
Show answer
(b) — a "memory — Vitamin-M" that could be given to old people to help them improve their memories.
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2. (ii) Why does Ravi say "Shh … Grandpa'll hear you"?
(a) Grandpa is asleep
(b) Grandpa dislikes medicines
(c) he does not want Grandpa to overhear the remark about his failing memory
(d) his mother is shouting at him
Show answer
(c) — Ravi is worried the remark about Grandpa's poor memory might hurt the old man's feelings.
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3. (iii) What is Grandpa doing in this extract?
(a) sleeping in his bed
(b) playing chess with Ravi
(c) watching a cricket match
(d) sitting in a rocking chair, holding the newspaper inches from his nose to read it
Show answer
(d) — the "frail old figure" is reading his paper at very close range because his eyesight is weak.
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4. (iv) Who is the speaker of the first line, and to whom is she speaking?
Show answer
Ravi's mother (Vidya), speaking to her son Ravi.
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5. (v) Which single word in the extract describes Grandpa's physical condition?
Show answer
"frail" — the frail old figure sitting in the rocking chair.
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6. (vi) What does the mother mean by saying Grandpa does not "remember too well these days"?
Show answer
Grandpa is becoming forgetful with age; his memory is failing.
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7. (i) Why is the mother glad that Ravi's holidays have started?
(a) the family can travel together
(b) Ravi can look after Grandpa while she is at work
(c) Ravi needs rest
(d) Grandpa wants company for chess
"I'm glad that your holidays have started from today. Now you can look after him. Last month was…" she stopped and shuddered at the memory. It was only last month that Ravi's Grandpa had come to live with them because he was getting too old to live on his own. It had been a difficult month with Grandpa having to be admitted to the hospital because he absent-mindedly took a double dose of his medicines, and then gave them several anxious moments when he got lost on one occasion he went for a walk and forgot the way back home.
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(b) — with Ravi at home, she can go to work knowing someone is looking after Grandpa.
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8. (ii) Why had Grandpa been admitted to the hospital?
(a) he had slipped in the garden
(b) he had absent-mindedly taken a double dose of his medicines
(c) he was attacked on the road
(d) he had fallen ill with fever
Show answer
(b) — he absent-mindedly took a double dose of his medicines.
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9. (iii) The mother "stopped and shuddered at the memory" because ______.
(a) the previous month had been difficult and frightening
(b) she was angry with Grandpa
(c) she was late for work
(d) she disliked hospitals
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(a) — the memory of the hospitalisation and Grandpa getting lost still frightened her.
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10. (iv) Why did Grandpa come to live with Ravi's family?
Show answer
Because he was getting too old to live on his own.
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11. (v) What happened when Grandpa went out for a walk one day?
Show answer
He got lost and forgot the way back home, giving the family anxious moments.
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12. (vi) How long before the story's present time did Grandpa move in?
Show answer
Only last month — it had been a difficult month.
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13. (i) Grandpa had worked as a ______ before retirement.
(a) doctor
(b) teacher
(c) lawyer
(d) journalist
Grandpa had got very upset when his daughter, Ravi's mother, insisted that he shouldn't go out alone again. "I'll have you know, Vidya, my dear," he had told his daughter with a trace of the firmness that had been a natural part of his job as a lawyer, "that I've been looking after myself for the better part of my seventy-five years. After your mother died ten years ago, I took over her duties as well and have been cooking, shopping and keeping house too. First you force me to come and live with you in this poky little flat, in this horrible, crowded city and then you think you have the right to forbid me to go out on my own!"
Show answer
(c) — his firmness had been "a natural part of his job as a lawyer".
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14. (ii) For how long has Grandpa been looking after himself?
(a) ten years
(b) the better part of his seventy-five years
(c) one month
(d) since his daughter's marriage
Show answer
(b) — for the better part of his seventy-five years.
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15. (iii) Which word in the extract means 'small and cramped'?
(a) bustle
(b) firmness
(c) poky
(d) forbid
Show answer
(c) — "poky" describes the small, cramped city flat.
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16. (iv) Who is Vidya?
Show answer
Ravi's mother — Grandpa's daughter.
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17. (v) When did Grandpa's wife die, and what did he do afterwards?
Show answer
She died ten years ago; he took over her duties, cooking, shopping and keeping house.
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18. (vi) What two complaints does Grandpa make against his daughter?
Show answer
(i) She forced him to live in her poky flat in a horrible, crowded city; (ii) she wants to forbid him from going out on his own.
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19. (i) Why did Grandpa hate city life?
(a) it was too expensive
(b) of its noise and bustle
(c) he had no friends there
(d) it was too far from his town
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. That was a month ago and it made Ravi's mother lock up the tiny brick house and bring Grandpa to live with them.
Show answer
(b) — he hated the noise and bustle of city life.
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20. (ii) What made Grandpa's house in town so special to him?
(a) it was very large
(b) it had a big mango tree and deep quiet
(c) it was near the market
(d) it was newly built
Show answer
(b) — a big mango tree in the garden, and quiet so deep that at dusk one could hear a leaf fall.
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21. (iii) What was the immediate cause of Grandpa being brought to the city?
(a) his illness
(b) his wife's death
(c) he slipped, fell in the garden and lay outside all night
(d) he sold his house
Show answer
(c) — he fell while pottering around and lay outside all night with no one to help him up.
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22. (iv) What is suggested by the expression 'you can even hear a leaf fall'?
Show answer
Pin-drop silence — the place was extremely quiet and peaceful.
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23. (v) What was Grandpa doing when he slipped and fell?
Show answer
He was pottering around the garden late one evening.
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24. (vi) What did Ravi's mother do to the brick house?
Show answer
She locked up the tiny brick house and brought Grandpa to live with them.
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25. (i) What instructions does the mother give Ravi before leaving?
(a) to finish his holiday homework
(b) not to let Grandpa go out on his own, and to give him his medicines after lunch
(c) to take Grandpa to the doctor
(d) to lock the front door
"Whatever happens, Ravi, you're not to let Grandpa go out on his own. It's too dangerous," she instructed, adding details of medicines to be given to Grandpa after lunch. Turning to her father she said, "I'm off to work, Papa, Ravi will be here to look after you. His holidays have begun from today." Ravi winced at the over-loud tone his mother used when speaking to Grandpa, as though she were speaking to a child who couldn't hear or understand too well. Grandpa continued to rock gently and gave no sign that he had heard her at all.
Show answer
(b) — he is told never to let Grandpa go out on his own, and is given details of his medicines.
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26. (ii) Why did Ravi wince?
(a) he had hurt himself
(b) at his mother's over-loud tone while speaking to Grandpa
(c) Grandpa scolded him
(d) the door slammed
Show answer
(b) — she spoke to Grandpa as though he were a child who couldn't hear or understand too well.
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27. (iii) How did Grandpa react to the instructions?
(a) he protested angrily
(b) he pretended not to hear
(c) he continued to rock gently and gave no sign that he had heard at all
(d) he left the room
Show answer
(c) — he rocked gently and gave no sign of having heard her.
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28. (iv) What does the word 'winced' mean?
Show answer
Showed an expression of embarrassment or discomfort.
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29. (v) Why did the mother speak to Grandpa in an over-loud tone?
Show answer
She wrongly assumed that, like a child, he could not hear or understand too well.
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30. (vi) When had Ravi's holidays begun?
Show answer
From that very day — that is why he could stay home with Grandpa.
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31. (i) What did Ravi offer Grandpa after his mother left?
(a) to play chess or watch the cricket match on TV
(b) to go out for a walk
(c) to read the Tamil newspaper
(d) to make lunch
"Don't worry, Mamma," Ravi promised, looking at his mother's anxious face. He felt sorry for her. "You go to work. Grandpa'll be fine at home with me." "Shall we play chess or watch the cricket match on TV, Grandpa?" Ravi asked after his mother left. Grandpa played a great game of chess, very cool and cunning, and Ravi found that his own game had improved greatly ever since Grandpa had come to live with them. "That's the opening move Karpov made when he played against the computer," he would tell Ravi as he moved a piece, or, "You're making the same mistake that Bobby Fischer made in his historic match against Spassky."
Show answer
(a) — he asked whether they should play chess or watch the cricket match on TV.
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32. (ii) What effect did playing with Grandpa have on Ravi's chess?
(a) it became worse
(b) his game had improved greatly
(c) no effect
(d) he gave up chess
Show answer
(b) — Ravi's own game had improved greatly since Grandpa came to live with them.
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33. (iii) According to Grandpa, whose opening move against the computer is he imitating?
(a) Bobby Fischer's
(b) Spassky's
(c) Karpov's
(d) Ravi's
Show answer
(c) — "That's the opening move Karpov made when he played against the computer."
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34. (iv) How is Grandpa's game of chess described in the extract?
Show answer
He played a great game, very cool and cunning.
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35. (v) Name the two chess champions mentioned by Grandpa.
Show answer
Karpov and Bobby Fischer (who played a historic match against Spassky).
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36. (vi) How did Ravi feel about his mother when she left for work?
Show answer
He felt sorry for her as he looked at her anxious face, and promised that Grandpa would be fine with him.
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37. (i) What puzzles Ravi about his grandfather?
(a) he forgets chess games but remembers names
(b) he remembers thousands of chess games but forgets the names of people he meets often
(c) he refuses to play chess
(d) he dislikes the Tamil paper
"How can he remember all those thousands of chess games and still forget the names of people he meets often!" Ravi wondered. "You set out the chessboard," said Grandpa, putting his paper down, "I'll just walk across to the corner shop to see if the Tamil newspaper has arrived." "Papa usually buys you the Tamil paper on his way home! But if you want it immediately, I'll go now and buy it for you," Ravi offered.
Show answer
(b) — Grandpa's memory for chess is astonishing, yet he forgets the names of people he meets often.
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38. (ii) Where does Grandpa say he is going?
(a) to the hospital
(b) to the children's park
(c) to the corner shop to see if the Tamil newspaper had arrived
(d) to the tea stall
Show answer
(c) — just across to the corner shop for the Tamil newspaper.
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39. (iii) Who usually bought Grandpa's Tamil newspaper?
(a) Ravi
(b) Grandpa himself, every day
(c) Ravi's father (Papa), on his way home
(d) the corner-shop owner
Show answer
(c) — Ravi's father usually bought it on his way home.
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40. (iv) What did Grandpa ask Ravi to do before leaving?
Show answer
To set out the chessboard.
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41. (v) What offer did Ravi make to stop Grandpa from going out?
Show answer
He offered to go himself and buy the Tamil paper immediately.
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42. (vi) In which language newspaper was Grandpa interested?
Show answer
Tamil.
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43. (i) Why does Grandpa call Ravi's mother 'tiresome'?
(a) she talks too much
(b) she treats him like a baby and keeps him a prisoner
(c) she forgets his birthday
(d) she buys the wrong newspaper
"I hope you're not going to be as tiresome as your mother, Ravi. Treating me like a baby! Has she told you not to let me go out on my own? Told you to keep me a prisoner here, has she?" Grandpa looked suspicious at this thought. Ravi felt guilty for a moment, then quickly recovered to say loyally, "Of course not, Grandpa. Mamma would never treat you like a baby … or a prisoner." "Good," said Grandpa craftily, "then you'll have no objection to my going out."
Show answer
(b) — she treats him like a baby who must not go out on his own.
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44. (ii) What suspicion does Grandpa have?
(a) that Ravi dislikes him
(b) that his daughter has told Ravi to keep him a prisoner at home
(c) that his gifts were disliked
(d) that Ravi has hidden his walking stick
Show answer
(b) — he suspects his daughter has told Ravi not to let him go out on his own.
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45. (iii) Which word tells us that Grandpa is being clever and cunning?
(a) loyally
(b) suspicious
(c) tiresome
(d) craftily
Show answer
(d) — "craftily" shows he is cleverly extracting Ravi's agreement.
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46. (iv) Why did Ravi feel guilty for a moment?
Show answer
Because he had actually promised his mother not to let Grandpa go out on his own.
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47. (v) How did Ravi cover up his guilt?
Show answer
He loyally said that Mamma would never treat Grandpa like a baby or a prisoner.
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48. (vi) What conclusion did Grandpa draw from Ravi's reply?
Show answer
That Ravi would have no objection to his going out.
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49. (i) What was special about Grandpa's walking stick?
(a) it was made of gold
(b) it was shiny-black mahogany with a brass handle carved like an eagle's head
(c) it belonged to a famous lawyer
(d) it could fold up
He picked up his beautiful shiny-black mahogany walking stick with a brass handle carved in the shape of an eagle's head, put on his bright-yellow cap and declared, "I'll be back home before you can set up the board, Ravi." Off he went, twirling his walking stick jauntily, leaving Ravi in a dilemma. His grandfather would feel hurt if he insisted on accompanying him and his mother would be furious if she knew Ravi had let him go out on his own. He heard the elevator door shut as Grandpa went down. Ravi decided he would follow Grandpa secretly, at a safe distance, to make sure he came to no harm.
Show answer
(b) — a beautiful shiny-black mahogany stick with a brass eagle's-head handle.
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50. (ii) What dilemma did Ravi find himself in?
(a) whether to play chess or watch cricket
(b) Grandpa would feel hurt if he insisted on accompanying him, but his mother would be furious if he let him go out alone
(c) whether to buy the Tamil paper or not
(d) whether to call his father or his mother
Show answer
(b) — both choices carried a cost, so Ravi was caught in a dilemma.
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51. (iii) How did Ravi finally resolve his dilemma?
(a) he stopped Grandpa at the door
(b) he called his mother at work
(c) he decided to follow Grandpa secretly at a safe distance
(d) he went back to sleep
Show answer
(c) — he would follow secretly, at a safe distance, to make sure Grandpa came to no harm.
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52. (iv) How did Grandpa walk out of the house?
Show answer
Twirling his walking stick jauntily — happily and confidently.
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53. (v) What does the word 'jauntily' mean?
Show answer
Happily and confidently.
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54. (vi) What did Grandpa promise Ravi about his return?
Show answer
He would be back before Ravi could set up the chessboard.
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55. (i) What was Grandpa's first stop on his outing?
(a) the tea stall
(b) the children's park
(c) the barber shop
(d) the corner shop
Ravi ran out of the building just in time to see Grandpa's yellow cap disappearing round the corner. Grandpa's first stop was the children's park where he bought himself a paper-cone of peanuts and settled on a bench, watching the children play. Ravi, feeling very foolish, had to crouch behind a bush trimmed in the shape of an elephant to avoid being seen. He felt even more foolish when a small child came up to him and asked, "Are you playing hide and seek? I can show you a better place to hide."
Show answer
(b) — the children's park.
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56. (ii) What did Grandpa buy at the park?
(a) an ice cream
(b) a sugary cup of tea
(c) a paper-cone of peanuts
(d) two bananas
Show answer
(c) — he bought himself a paper-cone of peanuts and settled on a bench watching the children play.
1 marks · direct
57. (iii) Where did Ravi hide at the park?
(a) behind a bench
(b) behind a bush trimmed in the shape of an elephant
(c) behind a silver car
(d) behind a banyan tree
Show answer
(b) — he crouched behind the elephant-shaped bush to avoid being seen.
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58. (iv) What does the word 'crouch' mean?
Show answer
To bend the body low, close to the ground.
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59. (v) Who spoke to Ravi while he was hiding, and why?
Show answer
A small child, who thought Ravi was playing hide and seek and offered to show him a better hiding place.
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60. (vi) How did Ravi feel while hiding at the park?
Show answer
Very foolish — and even more foolish when the child spoke to him.
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61. (i) Who demanded "How dare you shoo my child?"
(a) a vendor
(b) the little boy's mother
(c) a bus conductor
(d) Grandpa
"Shhh, shhh," was all Ravi could say before he felt a shadow fall over him and a loud voice boomed, "How dare you shoo my child? Who are you?" It was the little boy's mother. "Shhh, shhh," Ravi repeated to the lady. "I'll shh you, you rude boy!" said the lady, picking up her umbrella threateningly. The ultimate humiliation was when Ravi had to crawl out of the park on all fours, ducking behind the benches, creeping behind the bushes, thanking his lucky stars that Grandpa hadn't heard the noise and spotted him.
Show answer
(b) — the little boy's mother, in a loud, booming voice.
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62. (ii) What was Ravi's 'ultimate humiliation' at the park?
(a) being scolded by Grandpa
(b) crawling out of the park on all fours, ducking behind benches and creeping behind bushes
(c) buying the wrong newspaper
(d) missing the bus
Show answer
(b) — he had to crawl out on all fours, hiding behind benches and bushes.
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63. (iii) The word 'boomed' means ______.
(a) whispered
(b) spoke in a loud, deep voice
(c) cried softly
(d) sang
Show answer
(b) — the mother's voice boomed loudly at Ravi.
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64. (iv) How did the lady threaten Ravi?
Show answer
By picking up her umbrella threateningly, calling him a rude boy.
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65. (v) Why did Ravi thank his lucky stars?
Show answer
Because Grandpa had not heard the noise and spotted him following.
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66. (vi) What does 'ducking' mean?
Show answer
Moving your head or body down to avoid being seen.
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67. (i) What was Grandpa's next stop after the park?
(a) the barber shop
(b) the tea stall
(c) the corner shop
(d) the temple
Grandpa's next stop was the tea stall, and this time Ravi took position behind a big banyan tree to watch him, feeling most embarrassed when the vendors sitting under the tree gave him quizzical looks. "This area is booked by us," said one lady who was selling plastic combs, in the same tone she might use were she asked to address a gathering without being given a loudspeaker, "There's no room for any new vendors." "Shhh, Don't talk so loudly. Do I look as though I'm selling anything?" Ravi asked her.
Show answer
(b) — the tea stall.
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68. (ii) Where did Ravi take position this time?
(a) behind an elephant-shaped bush
(b) behind a shiny silver car
(c) behind a big banyan tree
(d) inside the tea stall
Show answer
(c) — behind a big banyan tree, to watch Grandpa.
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69. (iii) What did the comb-seller object to?
(a) Ravi's rudeness
(b) Ravi's hiding — she thought he was a new vendor in their booked area
(c) Ravi's clothes
(d) Ravi's shouting
Show answer
(b) — she said the area was booked by the vendors and there was no room for new ones.
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70. (iv) Why did the vendors give Ravi quizzical looks?
Show answer
Because a boy hiding behind their tree watching someone looked strange and puzzling to them.
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71. (v) What was the lady under the banyan tree selling?
Show answer
Plastic combs.
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72. (vi) What does 'quizzical' mean?
Show answer
Puzzled or questioning — showing surprise and doubt.
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73. (i) According to the extract, the vendors' voices were ______.
(a) very soft
(b) extremely loud — they would never require a megaphone
(c) sweet and musical
(d) unheard
"Who's talking loudly?" said the old lady, raising her voice just enough for Ravi to hear her, as though she was talking to him from across the city. "Who are you accusing of talking loudly? … and that too from behind the tree. Who are you hiding from?" another vendor selling ribbons and clips asked. She too was one of those lucky ones who would never ever require a megaphone. "Are you talking about one of us?" asked another vendor. A group of them surrounded Ravi. "Oh, all right!" Ravi conceded defeat and moved to duck behind a shiny silver car, peering through the windows to keep an eye on his grandfather.
Show answer
(b) — both ladies were "lucky ones who would never ever require a megaphone".
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74. (ii) Why did the vendors surround Ravi?
(a) to help him
(b) they were curious about the boy hiding behind the tree and talking loudly
(c) to sell him ribbons
(d) to call the police
Show answer
(b) — one asked "Are you talking about one of us?", and a group surrounded the suspicious stranger.
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75. (iii) Where did Ravi finally take shelter after conceding defeat?
(a) behind the banyan tree
(b) inside a shop
(c) behind a shiny silver car, peering through the windows
(d) at the tea stall
Show answer
(c) — he moved to duck behind a shiny silver car, keeping an eye on Grandpa through its windows.
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76. (iv) What was the second vendor selling?
Show answer
Ribbons and clips.
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77. (v) What does the phrase 'conceded defeat' mean?
Show answer
Admitted that one has lost the argument and given up.
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78. (vi) How did Ravi keep an eye on Grandpa from his new hiding place?
Show answer
By peering through the windows of the silver car.
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79. (i) Which items was Grandpa forbidden at home?
(a) tea and coffee
(b) sugar and bananas
(c) ice cream and peanuts
(d) newspapers
Grandpa took his time sipping a sugary cup of tea (he was forbidden sugar at home), then ate two bananas (another banned item), then tucked into an ice cream bought from the cart. (Mother would faint if she saw this!) Ravi himself felt hot, bothered and close to fainting by the time Grandpa finished his snack. His heart thudded anxiously when he saw Grandpa zigzagging through the traffic as he crossed the road. He shut his eyes in panic when he heard the screech of brakes and opened them just in time to see Grandpa entering the barber shop.
Show answer
(b) — he was forbidden sugar at home, and bananas were another banned item.
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80. (ii) How did Ravi feel by the time Grandpa finished his snack?
(a) refreshed and happy
(b) hot, bothered and close to fainting
(c) asleep
(d) hungry
Show answer
(b) — the tense watching left Ravi hot, bothered and close to fainting.
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81. (iii) Why did Ravi shut his eyes in panic?
(a) he saw a ghost
(b) he heard the screech of brakes as Grandpa crossed the road
(c) the sun was too bright
(d) he lost his money
Show answer
(b) — Grandpa was zigzagging through the traffic, and the screech of brakes terrified Ravi.
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82. (iv) Why would 'Mother faint' if she saw Grandpa's snack?
Show answer
Because sugary tea, bananas and ice cream were all forbidden for Grandpa at home.
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83. (v) Where did Grandpa go after the tea stall?
Show answer
He crossed the road and entered the barber shop.
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84. (vi) How did Grandpa cross the busy road?
Show answer
Zigzagging through the traffic.
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85. (i) Why did Grandpa's visit to the barber shop puzzle Ravi?
(a) the shop was closed
(b) Grandpa was as bald as a table tennis ball
(c) Ravi hated barbers
(d) Grandpa never went out
Now Grandpa was as bald as a table tennis ball, so Ravi decided that a closer look was in order. He crossed the road, first looking dramatically left and then right and then hurriedly ducked into the shop next to the barber shop … only to be evicted a moment later amidst a volley of feminine shrieks because it happened to be a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon. "Just as well I was thrown out," thought Ravi because he spotted Grandpa making his way briskly towards the bus stop, and, oh no, boarding the first bus that stopped there.
Show answer
(b) — a bald Grandpa visiting a barber made Ravi decide a closer look was in order.
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86. (ii) Why was Ravi evicted from the shop next door?
(a) it was closing time
(b) it was a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon and his entry caused feminine shrieks
(c) he had no money
(d) Grandpa complained about him
Show answer
(b) — he hurriedly ducked into a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon and was thrown out amidst a volley of shrieks.
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87. (iii) What does the phrase 'a volley of' mean?
(a) a single
(b) a lot of (something), coming one after another
(c) a small number of
(d) a quiet burst of
Show answer
(b) — a volley of feminine shrieks means many shrieks, one after another.
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88. (iv) Why did Ravi think 'Just as well I was thrown out'?
Show answer
Because from there he spotted Grandpa moving briskly towards the bus stop and boarding the first bus.
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89. (v) What does 'briskly' mean?
Show answer
Quickly and energetically.
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90. (vi) Which simile describes Grandpa's baldness?
Show answer
"As bald as a table tennis ball."
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91. (i) What would have deterred a 'lesser detective'?
(a) the screech of brakes
(b) sprinting for the bus and jumping on seconds before it started
(c) the vendors' questions
(d) the crowd at the tea stall
Sprinting for the bus and jumping on to it seconds before it started would have deterred a lesser detective, but not Ravi, who was panting as he struggled for a place in the bus. He could see Grandpa's yellow cap somewhere in the front. It was warm inside the bus so Grandpa took off his cap to reveal … a full head of grey hair! Ravi was startled. Surely Grandpa couldn't have bought a wig at the barber shop, he thought, pushing his way to the front of the bus to confront the cap-wearer. It was a total stranger!
Show answer
(b) — sprinting and jumping aboard just in time would have stopped a lesser detective, but not Ravi.
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92. (ii) What startled Ravi inside the bus?
(a) the conductor's behaviour
(b) the cap-wearer removing his cap to reveal a full head of grey hair, though Grandpa was bald
(c) the fare
(d) the bus's speed
Show answer
(b) — Grandpa was bald, so grey hair under the yellow cap startled Ravi.
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93. (iii) What did Ravi suspect about the grey hair?
(a) it was dyed
(b) Grandpa might have bought a wig at the barber shop
(c) it was the driver's
(d) nothing
Show answer
(b) — he wondered whether Grandpa could have bought a wig at the barber shop.
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94. (iv) Where was the yellow cap in the bus?
Show answer
Somewhere in the front of the bus.
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95. (v) What does 'deterred' mean?
Show answer
Prevented or stopped from doing something.
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96. (vi) What did Ravi do to confront the cap-wearer?
Show answer
He pushed his way to the front of the bus — only to find a total stranger.
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97. (i) How did Ravi recognise the cap as Grandpa's?
(a) it was new
(b) it had a coffee-strain on the rim just like Grandpa's
(c) Grandpa's name was written on it
(d) it was yellow
He was wearing a white pyjama and shirt, which was Grandpa's standard attire, and a yellow cap exactly like Grandpa's. But wait, the cap had a coffee-strain on its rim just like Grandpa's! "Grandpa's cap!" Ravi couldn't help exclaiming. The stranger grinned pleasantly and told Ravi that a kind old gentleman in the barber shop had insisted that he take his cap because it was such a hot day. That was typical of Grandpa, always generous. But where was Grandpa?
Show answer
(b) — the coffee-strain on the rim identified it as Grandpa's cap.
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98. (ii) Why did the stranger have Grandpa's cap?
(a) he had bought it
(b) he had stolen it
(c) a kind old gentleman in the barber shop insisted he take it as it was a hot day
(d) it was a gift from Ravi
Show answer
(c) — the stranger told Ravi the old gentleman had insisted he take the cap.
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99. (iii) What was Grandpa's 'standard attire'?
(a) a white pyjama and shirt
(b) a suit
(c) a yellow shirt
(d) a kurta and jeans
Show answer
(a) — a white pyjama and shirt — exactly what the stranger was wearing.
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100. (iv) What does the stranger's story reveal about Grandpa?
Show answer
That it was typical of Grandpa — always generous — to give away his cap on a hot day.
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101. (v) What does 'attire' mean?
Show answer
Clothing or dress.
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102. (vi) What worried Ravi at the end of the extract?
Show answer
He now did not know where Grandpa was.
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103. (i) Where did Ravi search for Grandpa after losing him?
(a) the hospital and the temple
(b) the barber shop and the park
(c) the school and the market
(d) the tea stall and the corner shop
Ravi went back to the barber shop. Grandpa wasn't there. He wasn't at the park either. Ravi was frantic. After all, his mother had left him in charge of Grandpa. He tried calling first his mother and then his father from a telephone booth but both numbers were busy. Sick with worry, Ravi went home wondering whether Grandpa would be able to find his way back. To his great delight and relief, the first thing he heard when he opened the front door was the gentle whirr of Grandpa snoring in his bedroom.
Show answer
(b) — he went back to the barber shop and then to the park, but Grandpa was at neither.
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104. (ii) Why was Ravi 'frantic'?
(a) he was tired
(b) his mother had left him in charge of Grandpa, who was now missing
(c) he had lost his money
(d) he missed the bus
Show answer
(b) — his mother had left him in charge, and Grandpa could not be found anywhere.
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105. (iii) What was the first thing Ravi heard when he opened the front door?
(a) his mother's voice
(b) the telephone ringing
(c) the gentle whirr of Grandpa snoring in his bedroom
(d) the TV playing
Show answer
(c) — to his great delight and relief, Grandpa was snoring at home.
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106. (iv) Whom did Ravi try to call, and from where?
Show answer
First his mother and then his father, from a telephone booth.
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107. (v) Why could Ravi not reach his parents?
Show answer
Both numbers were busy.
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108. (vi) What does 'frantic' mean?
Show answer
Very frightened and worried.
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109. (i) What did Ravi do when he found Grandpa sleeping?
(a) woke him up angrily
(b) knelt by the bed, put his cheek against the old man's face and hugged him
(c) called his mother
(d) went away to play
He knelt down near the bed and put his cheek against the old man's face. Grandpa's wrinkled skin had more creases than lines on a map. Ravi was suddenly overcome with affection for his grandfather and gave him a hug, but Grandpa only grunted in his sleep. He decided not to question Grandpa because then he would have to reveal that he had been following him. "What did you both do today?" asked Ravi's mother when she got back from office.
Show answer
(b) — overcome with affection, he knelt down, touched his cheek to Grandpa's face and hugged him.
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110. (ii) What is compared to 'lines on a map'?
(a) the roads of the city
(b) the creases on Grandpa's wrinkled skin
(c) Ravi's chessboard
(d) the bus route
Show answer
(b) — Grandpa's wrinkled skin had more creases than lines on a map.
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111. (iii) How did Grandpa respond to Ravi's hug?
(a) he woke up and smiled
(b) he only grunted in his sleep
(c) he scolded Ravi
(d) he hugged Ravi back
Show answer
(b) — the sleeping Grandpa only grunted.
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112. (iv) Why did Ravi decide not to question Grandpa?
Show answer
Because questioning him would reveal that Ravi had been following him.
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113. (v) What question did Ravi's mother ask when she returned from office?
Show answer
"What did you both do today?"
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114. (vi) Name the two things Ravi noticed about Grandpa's appearance as he slept.
Show answer
His wrinkled skin full of creases, and (from the earlier passage) his smell of eucalyptus ointment and shaving cream.
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115. (i) According to Grandpa, what had Ravi done that day?
(a) stayed home all day
(b) played chess with him
(c) just disappeared instead of staying at home to look after him
(d) gone to school
"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. "No. But you know I always give a gift to every child in the house on my birthday. Have you forgotten?" countered Grandpa, very seriously.
Show answer
(c) — Grandpa coolly pointed out that Ravi had disappeared instead of looking after him.
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116. (ii) Why did the mother think the gift-wrapped parcel was a mistake?
(a) it was torn
(b) Ravi's birthday was three months ago
(c) it was the wrong size
(d) it belonged to the neighbour
Show answer
(b) — she assumed Grandpa had forgotten that Ravi's birthday had passed three months earlier.
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117. (iii) What was Grandpa's custom on his birthday?
(a) receiving gifts from everyone
(b) giving a gift to every child in the house
(c) going to the temple
(d) cooking a feast
Show answer
(b) — he always gave a gift to every "child" in the house on his own birthday.
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118. (iv) How did Ravi feel during this conversation?
Show answer
Confused and embarrassed.
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119. (v) What does the word 'countered' mean?
Show answer
Replied to an argument, answering back with a point.
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120. (vi) How did Grandpa describe his own morning?
Show answer
He said he had "a quiet morning".
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121. (i) What did Ravi's mother find on the calendar?
(a) a reminder about medicines
(b) the date she had circled in red and labelled 'Papa's birthday' at the beginning of the year
(c) Ravi's exam dates
(d) a photograph
Ravi's mother flushed and darted a stricken look at the calendar on which she had, at the beginning of the year circled the date in red and written 'Papa's birthday'. There was a gift for her too, and for Ravi's father as well, for Grandpa still considered them his 'babies'. Grandpa turned to Ravi's father who had just walked into the room, "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M, I think—for her memory." Ravi's mother flushed a darker shade of red and Ravi's father looked confused.
Show answer
(b) — she herself had circled the date in red and written 'Papa's birthday' on it.
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122. (ii) Who else received gifts from Grandpa?
(a) only Ravi
(b) Ravi's mother and father — Grandpa still considered them his 'babies'
(c) the neighbours
(d) the stranger on the bus
Show answer
(b) — there was a gift for her and for Ravi's father as well.
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123. (iii) Who, according to Grandpa, needed Vitamin-M?
(a) Ravi
(b) Ravi's father
(c) his daughter (Ravi's mother), for her memory
(d) the barber
Show answer
(c) — "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M, I think — for her memory."
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124. (iv) Why did the mother 'dart a stricken look' at the calendar?
Show answer
She suddenly remembered that she had forgotten her father's birthday despite circling it herself at the start of the year.
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125. (v) Why did the mother flush 'a darker shade of red'?
Show answer
She was embarrassed at having forgotten her own father's birthday, especially after Grandpa's teasing remark.
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126. (vi) How did Ravi's father react to the mention of Vitamin-M?
Show answer
He looked confused, not knowing what was going on.
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127. (i) What was Ravi's gift from Grandpa?
(a) a yellow cap
(b) a chess set
(c) a thick, hardcover book — The Best Detective Stories
(d) a walking stick
Ravi unwrapped his gift to find a thick, hardcover book, The Best Detective Stories. "Great stories, Ravi. You can pick up some really good tips on how to be a detective. How to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect, for instance," Grandpa said solemnly. "I don't think he wants to be a detective, do you, Ravi?" asked his father looking even more confused. "I haven't decided yet," answered Ravi, because he was too busy trying to decide whether the twinkle in Grandpa's eye was an innocent gleam or a mischievous one.
Show answer
(c) — Ravi unwrapped a thick, hardcover book, The Best Detective Stories.
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128. (ii) What 'tip' did Grandpa offer Ravi along with the book?
(a) how to play chess
(b) how to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect
(c) how to read Tamil
(d) how to cook
Show answer
(b) — his pointed hint showed he knew Ravi had been following him all day.
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129. (iii) Why was Ravi busy studying the twinkle in Grandpa's eye?
(a) to check his eyesight
(b) to decide whether it was an innocent gleam or a mischievous one
(c) he wanted to laugh
(d) he was sleepy
Show answer
(b) — he could not decide whether Grandpa was innocent of all knowledge or teasing him knowingly.
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130. (iv) What does 'solemnly' mean?
Show answer
Seriously — though the seriousness was playful, given the twinkle in Grandpa's eye.
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131. (v) What does 'trailing' mean?
Show answer
Following someone secretly.
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132. (vi) What did Ravi answer when his father asked if he wanted to be a detective?
Show answer
"I haven't decided yet."
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133. Q1. Why did Grandpa dislike living in the city with his daughter? (2 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa hated the noise and bustle of city life. He missed his small brick house in town with its big mango tree, where at dusk one could hear a leaf fall. He found the flat poky and the city crowded.
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134. Q2. Why did Vidya not want her father to go out alone? (2 marks)
Show answer
Vidya was anxious because within a month Grandpa had to be hospitalised after absent-mindedly taking a double dose of his medicines, and once went for a walk and forgot the way home. She feared he might get lost or hurt.
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135. Q3. Was Ravi in favour of his mother treating Grandpa like a child? How can you say so? (2 marks)
Show answer
No. Ravi winced at his mother's over-loud tone while speaking to Grandpa, as though she were addressing a child. He also loyally told Grandpa that Mamma would never treat him like a baby or a prisoner.
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136. Q4. Give two characteristic traits of Grandfather, with evidence from the story. (2 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa is independent and self-respecting — he reminds Vidya he has looked after himself for the better part of seventy-five years. He is also generous — he gives gifts to every "child" in the house on his own birthday.
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137. Q5. Give two characteristic traits of Ravi, with evidence from the story. (2 marks)
Show answer
Ravi is caring and responsible — he promises to look after Grandpa and follows him secretly to keep him safe. He is also loyal — when Grandpa questions him, he defends his mother instead of revealing her instructions.
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138. Q6. Give two characteristic traits of Ravi's mother, with evidence from the story. (2 marks)
Show answer
She is loving and anxious — she worries constantly about her father's health and safety after his hospitalisation. But she is also over-protective — she forbids Grandpa from going out alone and speaks to him over-loudly, hurting his dignity.
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139. Q7. Grandpa is portrayed as a person with failing memory at the beginning of the story. Give two pieces of evidence that disprove this. (2 marks)
Show answer
First, Grandpa remembered thousands of chess games — Karpov's opening against a computer and Bobby Fischer's mistake against Spassky. Second, he remembered his birthday custom of giving gifts to every "child", and knew Ravi had been following him.
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140. Q8. Why was Ravi worried about what Grandpa had at the tea stall? (2 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa sipped a sugary cup of tea, ate two bananas and then an ice cream. Sugar and bananas were forbidden at home for his health — "Mother would faint if she saw this!" — so Ravi feared for his health.
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141. Q9. Do you think it was easy for Ravi to follow his grandfather? Give reasons. (2 marks)
Show answer
No. It was humiliating: a small child spotted him and the child's mother scolded him; vendors surrounded and teased him; he was evicted from a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon; and finally he chased the wrong man onto a bus.
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142. Q10. "Ravi is a good detective." Give one argument for and one against this statement. (2 marks)
Show answer
For: he followed at a safe distance all day and even boarded a moving bus to keep up the chase. Against: despite everything, he was seen by nearly everyone, repeatedly embarrassed, and completely fooled when Grandpa gave away his cap.
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143. Q11. Was Grandpa aware that Ravi was following him? How do you know? (2 marks)
Show answer
Yes. Grandpa coolly remarked at home that Ravi "just disappeared instead of staying at home", and gifted him detective stories with the tip about avoiding getting fooled while "trailing a suspect". His mischievous twinkle confirms he knew everything.
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144. Q12. How does Ravi's reaction on finding Grandpa safe at home reveal his feelings towards his grandfather? (2 marks)
Show answer
Frantic with worry, Ravi feels great delight and relief on hearing Grandpa snoring. He kneels by the bed, presses his cheek to the wrinkled face and hugs him — showing deep love, tenderness and a sense of responsibility.
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145. Q13. What might be the significance of Grandpa's habit of giving gifts on his birthday rather than receiving them? (2 marks)
Show answer
It shows his generosity and love — he still considers his daughter, son-in-law and grandson his "babies". He finds joy in giving rather than receiving, and the custom keeps every family member feeling remembered and cherished.
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146. Q14. Why do you think Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book as a gift? (2 marks)
Show answer
It was a humorous, affectionate way of telling Ravi that he knew he had been followed all day. The hint about "how to avoid getting fooled when trailing a suspect" gently teased Ravi about being outwitted by the yellow-cap trick.
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147. Q15. In your opinion, who needs Vitamin-M? Why? (2 marks)
Show answer
Ironically, not Grandpa but his daughter Vidya needs it. Grandpa remembers everything that matters — chess games, birthdays, and being followed — while Vidya forgets her own father's birthday despite circling it on the calendar herself.
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148. Q16. What was Ravi's dilemma after Grandpa left the house, and how did he resolve it? (2 marks)
Show answer
Ravi knew Grandpa would feel hurt if he insisted on accompanying him, while his mother would be furious if she knew he had let Grandpa go out alone. He resolved it by following Grandpa secretly, at a safe distance.
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149. Q17. How did Grandpa manage to fool Ravi at the barber shop? (2 marks)
Show answer
In the barber shop, Grandpa gave his yellow cap to a stranger because it was a hot day. Dressed in white clothes, the stranger was mistaken for Grandpa, and Ravi chased him onto a bus while Grandpa slipped home unnoticed.
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150. Q18. Why did Ravi decide not to question Grandpa about his whereabouts? (2 marks)
Show answer
Ravi decided not to question Grandpa because that would force him to reveal that he had been secretly following him all day. He preferred to stay silent, confused and embarrassed, while Grandpa coolly teased him.
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151. Q19. What does Ravi's wincing at his mother's over-loud tone tell us about him? (2 marks)
Show answer
It shows Ravi is sensitive and respects his grandfather's dignity. He understood that speaking to Grandpa as though he were a child who could not hear or understand was embarrassing and disrespectful to the proud old man.
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152. Q20. What does Grandpa's remark "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M, I think — for her memory" tell us about the birthday incident? (2 marks)
Show answer
It reveals that Vidya had forgotten her father's birthday, even though she herself had circled the date in red and written 'Papa's birthday' on the calendar at the beginning of the year. Grandpa's remark was a gentle tease.
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153. Q1. Describe the incidents of the previous month that made Vidya anxious about her father's safety. (3 marks)
Show answer
Within the previous month, Grandpa had to be admitted to the hospital because he absent-mindedly took a double dose of his medicines. He also went out for a walk, got lost and forgot the way back home. Earlier, he had slipped in his garden and lain outside all night.
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154. Q2. What does Grandpa's outburst — "First you force me to come and live with you in this poky little flat..." — reveal about his feelings? (3 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa's outburst reveals that he feels his independence and dignity are under attack. He resents being uprooted from his beloved quiet house in town and being forbidden to go out alone. He feels like a prisoner in the crowded city, treated like a helpless baby.
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155. Q3. How does the game of chess strengthen the bond between Ravi and his grandfather? (3 marks)
Show answer
Chess brings Ravi and Grandpa together daily and gives them shared, happy time. Grandpa's cool, cunning game has improved Ravi's play greatly, while his references to Karpov and Bobby Fischer show how much Ravi still has to learn from his grandfather's rich experience.
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156. Q4. How did Grandpa cleverly extract Ravi's permission to go out alone? (3 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa first shamed Ravi by asking whether his mother had told him to keep him a prisoner. When Ravi loyally denied it, Grandpa craftily concluded, "then you'll have no objection to my going out." Thus, without an outright lie from Ravi, Grandpa obtained the freedom he wanted.
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157. Q5. Narrate Ravi's humiliating experience at the children's park. (3 marks)
Show answer
At the park, Ravi crouched behind an elephant-shaped bush to watch Grandpa. A small child asked if he was playing hide and seek and offered a better hiding place. Then the child's mother boomed at him and threatened him with her umbrella, forcing Ravi to crawl out on all fours.
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158. Q6. Describe how the vendors at the tea stall made Ravi's task difficult. (3 marks)
Show answer
When Ravi hid behind the banyan tree to watch Grandpa, vendors gave him quizzical looks. The comb-seller claimed the area was booked, another asked who he was hiding from, and a group surrounded him. Embarrassed, Ravi conceded defeat and hid behind a silver car instead.
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159. Q7. Why did Ravi have to leave the shop next to the barber shop in a hurry? What 'good' came of it? (3 marks)
Show answer
Ravi ducked into the shop next to the barber shop for a closer look at Grandpa, but it was a Ladies' Hairdressing Salon, and he was evicted amidst feminine shrieks. The good that came of it was that he then spotted Grandpa heading briskly to the bus stop.
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160. Q8. Describe Ravi's feelings when he realised he had chased the wrong man on the bus. (3 marks)
Show answer
Ravi was startled when the cap-wearer removed his cap to reveal grey hair, since Grandpa was bald. He suspected a wig, pushed forward to check, and found a total stranger. His day's effort wasted, he was left exclaiming "Grandpa's cap!" and wondering where Grandpa actually was.
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161. Q9. How did Ravi's feelings change from the time he lost sight of Grandpa to the moment he found him at home? (3 marks)
Show answer
After losing Grandpa, Ravi became frantic with worry — he searched the barber shop and park, tried calling his parents in vain, and went home sick with worry. On hearing Grandpa's gentle snoring, his panic turned to great delight and relief, and he knelt and hugged him affectionately.
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162. Q10. The story ends with Ravi trying to decide about the twinkle in Grandpa's eye. What do you think it was, and why? (3 marks)
Show answer
The twinkle was almost certainly mischievous. Grandpa knew he was being followed all day — his cool remark about Ravi "disappearing" and the gift of a detective book with tips on "trailing a suspect" show he had outwitted Ravi and was quietly enjoying his victory.
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163. Q1. Describe Grandpa's day out, from the time he left home till he returned. (5 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa left home with his shiny-black mahogany walking stick, brass eagle's-head handle and bright-yellow cap, promising to return before Ravi could set up the chess board, while Ravi secretly followed him. His first stop was the children's park, where he bought a paper-cone of peanuts and sat on a bench, watching the children play while Ravi crouched behind an elephant-shaped bush. Next he went to the tea stall, where he took his time over a sugary cup of tea, two bananas and an ice cream — all forbidden at home. He then zigzagged across the busy road and entered the barber shop. Coming out, he cleverly gave his yellow cap to a stranger in the shop because it was a hot day, which sent Ravi chasing the wrong man onto a bus. Grandpa slipped home unnoticed, where he was found sleeping peacefully, smelling of shaving cream.
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164. Q2. "Grandpa is the real hero of the story, not Ravi." Justify this statement with evidence from the text. (5 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa is the story's quiet hero because every plan of his succeeds while Ravi, the amateur detective, fails. Grandpa knows from the start that Ravi has been told to watch him, yet he neither quarrels nor sulks; instead, he cleverly extracts Ravi's consent by asking whether he is meant to be kept "a prisoner". He then outsmarts his grandson by giving his yellow cap to a stranger in the barber shop — sending Ravi off on a wild bus chase — while he himself returns home safely and unnoticed. Back home, he pretends to have had "a quiet morning" and gently teases Ravi instead of scolding him. His generosity shines in his birthday custom of giving gifts to every "child" in the house. With his chess wisdom, his memory of thousands of games, and his good humour, Grandpa proves that age has dimmed neither his intelligence nor his spirit.
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165. Q3. The story presents two different attitudes towards caring for the elderly — Vidya's and Ravi's. Compare the two, and say which one you think is better and why. (5 marks)
Show answer
Vidya cares for her father out of deep love and duty, but her anxiety makes her over-protective. She forbids him to go out alone, speaks to him in an over-loud tone "as though she were speaking to a child", and locks up his beloved house in town. Her care, though sincere, hurts his dignity and self-respect, making him feel like a prisoner. Ravi also loves Grandpa, but he respects his grandfather's independence; when Grandpa insists on stepping out, Ravi follows secretly at a safe distance rather than restricting him, and feels genuine affection — kneeling by the sleeping old man, pressing his cheek to his face and hugging him. Ravi's approach is better because it protects Grandpa while preserving his pride. The story suggests that the elderly need not surveillance and restrictions but trust, companionship, dignity and love.
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166. Q4. "Some people believe society shows bias based on age — opinions are disregarded because of age." How does the story Vitamin-M illustrate this, and what lesson does it teach? (5 marks)
Show answer
The story shows how the old are routinely assumed to be helpless. Vidya declares that Grandpa "doesn't hear too well, or see too well, or even remember too well", instructs Ravi not to let him go out alone, and speaks to him as if to a child. Grandpa himself protests that he has looked after himself "for the better part of seventy-five years" and resents being kept "a prisoner". Yet the facts prove the prejudice wrong: Grandpa crosses a busy road safely, outwits Ravi completely, manages his own money and gifts, and never forgets his loved ones. The lesson is that age alone does not decide wisdom or ability; the elderly deserve respect, autonomy and trust, and caring for them should never mean taking away their dignity.
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167. Q5. Imagine you are Ravi. Write a diary entry about the day you followed Grandpa, describing what happened and what you felt. (5 marks)
Show answer
Dear Diary, What a day! Mamma left me in charge of Grandpa, but he walked off to buy his Tamil newspaper, leaving me in a fix. I followed him secretly. At the park, a little boy spotted me hiding behind the elephant-shaped bush and his mother nearly thrashed me — I had to crawl out on all fours! At the banyan tree the vendors teased me mercilessly, and I was thrown out of a ladies' salon amid shrieks. Worst of all, on the bus I discovered the yellow cap I had chased belonged to a total stranger — Grandpa had given it away! I came home sick with worry, only to find him snoring peacefully. Then he gave me a detective book "to avoid getting fooled when trailing a suspect"! He knew all along. I feel foolish — but also proud of my clever, loving Grandpa. Ravi
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168. Q6. Draw a character sketch of Grandpa, supporting your points with evidence from the story. (5 marks)
Show answer
Grandpa, a retired lawyer of seventy-five, is the story's hero. He is fiercely independent and self-respecting: after his wife's death he cooked, shopped and kept house for ten years, and he resents being treated like a baby or a prisoner in his daughter's poky flat. He is intelligent and sharp — he plays a great, cool and cunning game of chess, and remembers thousands of games, including Karpov's opening against a computer and Fischer's mistake against Spassky. He is affectionate and generous: he gives gifts to every "child" in the house on his own birthday and even gifts his cap to a stranger on a hot day. He is witty too: knowing Ravi is following him, he outsmarts his young "detective" with the cap trick, then teases him gently with the detective book. Age has weakened his eyes, ears and everyday memory, but not his spirit, humour or wisdom.
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169. Q7. Justify the title of the story, 'Vitamin-M'. (5 marks)
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The title refers to the "memory vitamin" that Ravi's mother jokingly wishes somebody would invent for old people like Grandpa, whose hearing, sight and memory are failing. At the start, everyone assumes Grandpa needs Vitamin-M — he has taken a double dose of his medicines and forgotten his way home. But the story turns this idea on its head. Grandpa remembers thousands of chess games, never forgets his birthday custom of giving gifts to every "child" in the house, and knows all along that Ravi is following him. It is actually Vidya who forgets — she forgets her father's birthday even though she circled the date in red on her calendar at the beginning of the year. Hence Grandpa's parting remark: "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M, I think — for her memory." The title is thus ironical: the "forgetful" old man's memory proves sharper than his young caretakers'.
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170. Q1. What does Ravi's mother mean by "Vitamin-M"?
(a) A medicine for weak eyesight
(b) A vitamin to improve the memory of old people
(c) A tablet for hearing problems
(d) A medicine given to children
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(b) — She wishes somebody would invent a "memory vitamin" that could be given to old people to help them improve their memories.
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171. Q2. Grandpa came to live with Ravi's family because ______.
(a) he wanted to watch cricket with Ravi
(b) he was getting too old to live on his own
(c) he had sold his house in town
(d) his daughter was unwell
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(b) — He had become too old to live alone; the family worried after his accident.
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172. Q3. Grandpa had worked as a ______ before retirement.
(a) doctor
(b) teacher
(c) lawyer
(d) journalist
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(c) — The story says his firmness had been "a natural part of his job as a lawyer".
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173. Q4. Which of these incidents happened first after Grandpa moved in?
(a) He slipped and fell in the garden of his house in town.
(b) He got lost while out on a walk.
(c) He absent-mindedly took a double dose of his medicines.
(d) He gave his yellow cap to a stranger.
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(c) — First he was hospitalised for taking a double dose of his medicines; then he got lost while on a walk. (The fall in the garden had happened earlier, at his own house, and was the reason he was brought to the city.)
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174. Q5. Grandpa loved his small brick house in town mainly because ______.
(a) it was close to the market
(b) it was very quiet, with a big mango tree in the garden
(c) his friends lived nearby
(d) it was a large, grand house
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(b) — "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!"
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175. Q6. Why did Ravi follow Grandpa secretly instead of walking beside him?
(a) Grandpa had asked him to stay behind.
(b) Ravi wanted to buy a newspaper.
(c) Grandpa would feel hurt if Ravi insisted on accompanying him, but Ravi's mother would be furious if he let Grandpa go out alone.
(d) Ravi wanted to play hide and seek.
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(c) — Ravi was caught in a dilemma, so he decided to follow at a safe distance to make sure Grandpa came to no harm.
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176. Q7. What did Grandpa do at the tea stall that he was not allowed at home?
(a) He smoked a cigarette.
(b) He drank a sugary cup of tea, ate two bananas and an ice cream.
(c) He read the Tamil newspaper.
(d) He played chess with strangers.
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(b) — Sugar and bananas were "banned items" at home; "Mother would faint if she saw this!"
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177. Q8. The stranger on the bus was wearing Grandpa's yellow cap because ______.
(a) he had stolen it from the barber shop
(b) Grandpa had insisted he take it as it was a hot day
(c) he had bought an identical cap
(d) Ravi had given it to him by mistake
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(b) — The stranger grinned and told Ravi that a kind old gentleman in the barber shop had insisted he take his cap because it was such a hot day.
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178. Q9. Grandpa gave gifts to everyone in the house on ______.
(a) Ravi's birthday
(b) Diwali
(c) his own birthday
(d) New Year's Day
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(c) — "You know I always give a gift to every child in the house on my birthday."
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179. Q10. Grandpa gave Ravi The Best Detective Stories with the hint that Ravi could learn ______.
(a) how to play chess
(b) how to read Tamil
(c) how to avoid getting fooled while trailing a suspect
(d) how to become a lawyer
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(c) — Grandpa's parting advice — "How to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect, for instance" — reveals that he knew Ravi had been following him all day.
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180. Q11. Who, according to Grandpa, needed Vitamin-M at the end of the story?
(a) Ravi
(b) Ravi's mother
(c) Ravi's father
(d) The stranger on the bus
Show answer
(b) — He said, "My daughter needs some Vitamin-M, I think — for her memory," because she had forgotten his birthday, though she herself had circled the date in red at the start of the year.
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181. Q12. Which of the following best describes Grandpa's tone when he said Ravi "just disappeared instead of staying at home to look after me"?
(a) angry and hurt
(b) calm and teasing
(c) frightened and worried
(d) sad and apologetic
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(b) — He said it "coolly" and with a twinkle in his eye, quietly turning the tables on Ravi, showing he knew exactly what Ravi had been doing.
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182. Q13. Assertion: Grandpa went out alone to the corner shop despite the family's worry.
Reason: He felt his independence was being taken away when his daughter insisted he should not go out on his own.
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(a) — Grandpa had looked after himself for "the better part of seventy-five years", so being treated like a child or a prisoner hurt his pride and made him determined to step out on his own.
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183. Q14. Assertion: Ravi felt guilty when Grandpa asked whether his mother had told him to keep him a prisoner.
Reason: Ravi had already promised his mother that he would not let Grandpa go out on his own.
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(a) — Ravi had given his mother the promise "Don't worry, Mamma", so when Grandpa questioned him, his conscience pricked him; he covered it up with a loyal denial.
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184. Q15. Assertion: Grandpa's memory was completely failing and he remembered nothing.
Reason: He remembered thousands of chess games, never forgot to give gifts on his birthday, and knew all along that Ravi was following him.
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(d) — The assertion is false; the reason is true. The story shows Grandpa's memory lapses were ordinary signs of ageing, while his long-term memory, judgement and sharpness of mind remained excellent.
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185. Q16. Grandpa went out of the house to see if the ______ had arrived at the corner shop.
Show answer
Tamil newspaper
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186. Q17. Ravi hid behind a bush trimmed in the shape of a/an ______ at the children's park.
Show answer
elephant
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187. Q18. Grandpa's walking stick had a brass handle carved in the shape of a/an ______.
Show answer
eagle's head
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188. Q19. When Ravi found Grandpa at home, Grandpa smelt of eucalyptus ointment and ______.
Show answer
shaving cream
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189. Q20. Ravi's mother had circled the date of ______ in red on the calendar and written a note beside it.
Show answer
Papa's birthday (Grandpa's birthday)
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190. 1. Who is the speaker of these lines, and to whom are they speaking?
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Ravi's mother (Vidya), speaking to her son Ravi.
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191. 2. Pick a word from the story that describes Grandpa's physical condition.
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"frail" — the frail old figure sitting in the rocking chair.
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192. 3. Why is the speaker "glad" about the holidays?
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Ravi's school holidays have begun, so he can stay home and look after Grandpa while she is at work.
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193. 4. The speaker's attitude towards her father can best be described as —
(a) careless and rude
(b) loving but anxious and over-protective
(c) strict and formal
(d) jealous
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(b) — She worries constantly about his safety and health, though her over-protectiveness makes him feel like a prisoner. Extract P2 "I'll have you know, Vidya, my dear, that I've been looking after myself for the better part of my seventy-five years. After your mother died ten years ago, I took over her duties as well and have been cooking, shopping and keeping house too. First you force me to come and live with you in this poky little flat, in this horrible, crowded city and then you think you have the right to forbid me to go out on my own!"
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194. 1. How old is Grandpa, according to this extract?
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Seventy-five years.
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195. 2. Which word in the extract means the same as 'small and cramped'?
Show answer
"poky".
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196. 3. What two complaints does Grandpa make against his daughter?
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(i) She forced him to leave his own home and come to live in her small flat in a crowded city; (ii) She wants to forbid him from going out on his own.
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197. 4. What does this extract reveal about Grandpa's character?
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He is independent, self-respecting and proud of having managed his own household for ten years after his wife's death; he resents being treated like a helpless child. Extract P3 Ravi unwrapped his gift to find a thick, hardcover book, The Best Detective Stories. "Great stories, Ravi. You can pick up some really good tips on how to be a detective. How to avoid getting fooled when one is trailing a suspect, for instance," Grandpa said solemnly.
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198. 1. On what occasion did Ravi receive this gift?
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On Grandpa's birthday — Grandpa's custom was to give gifts to every "child" in the house on his own birthday.
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199. 2. What does the hint "when one is trailing a suspect" tell us about Grandpa?
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Grandpa knew all along that Ravi had been secretly following him through the city all day.
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200. 3. Which word in the extract means 'in a serious manner'?
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"solemnly" — though the seriousness is playful, since there was a "twinkle in Grandpa's eye".
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