NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4

Care for the elderly means giving older people support, respect, safety, patience, and emotional understanding as their physical needs and daily routines change.

In Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4, this idea is explored through Ravi’s changing understanding of his grandfather, while the poem connects memory, loss, childhood, and a mother’s presence through sound, smell, and sight.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4 help students answer textbook questions from Vitamin-M by Asha Nehemiah and I Cannot Remember My Mother by Rabindranath Tagore. The chapter focuses on caring for elderly family members, respecting age and independence, memory, affection, childhood recollections, sensory imagery, direct and indirect speech, prepositions, interrogative sentences, and diary writing. These Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4 solutions are written in a clear school-answer format for prose, poem, vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and writing tasks.

Key Takeaways

• Prose focus: “Vitamin-M” shows that elderly people need care, but they also deserve dignity and independence.
• Character focus: Grandpa appears forgetful, yet he is sharp, generous, observant, and playful.
• Poem focus: “I Cannot Remember My Mother” shows how memory can survive through tune, fragrance, sky, and silence.
• Language skills: The chapter practises movement and sound words, synonyms, prepositions, interrogative sentences, reported speech, and diary writing.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4 Structure 2026

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4: Vitamin-M

Reflect and Respond

I. Complete the graphic organiser on caring for the elderly.

Answer:

II. Vocabulary table

III. Tradition, story, or recipe passed down by grandparents

Answer:
My grandmother taught me a traditional recipe made during festivals. It connects me to my childhood because I remember the smell of the food, the sounds of the kitchen, and the stories she told while cooking. Such traditions make family memories stronger and help us stay connected to our roots.

Check Your Understanding: Vitamin-M Part I

I. Why did Grandpa dislike living in the city with his daughter?

Answer:
Grandpa disliked living in the city because it was noisy, crowded, and uncomfortable for him. He missed his small brick house, garden, mango tree, and quiet surroundings. He also disliked feeling restricted in the city flat.

II. Why did Vidya not want her father to go out alone?

Answer:
Vidya did not want her father to go out alone because he had poor memory, weak eyesight, and hearing difficulty. He had earlier gone for a walk and forgotten the way back home. She feared he might get lost or hurt.

III. Was Ravi in favour of his mother treating Grandpa like a child?

Answer:
No, Ravi was not in favour of it. He winced when his mother spoke to Grandpa in an over-loud tone as if he were a child. This shows that Ravi felt embarrassed by the way Grandpa was being treated.

IV. Would Ravi be able to keep his promise to his mother?

Answer:
Ravi tried to keep his promise, but he could not stop Grandpa from going out. Instead, he secretly followed Grandpa to make sure he was safe. This shows that Ravi respected Grandpa’s feelings but also cared about his safety.

Check Your Understanding: Vitamin-M Part II

I. Complete the flow chart.

Answer:

1. Grandpa first stops at the children’s park.
2. He buys a paper-cone of peanuts and watches children play.
3. Grandpa next goes to the tea stall.
4. Ravi gets scolded by a child’s mother and vendors.
5. Grandpa drinks tea and eats bananas and ice cream.
6. Grandpa then crosses the road and enters a barber shop.
7. Next Grandpa walks quickly to a bus stop and boards a bus.

II. Was Grandpa lost as feared by Ravi’s mother?

Answer:
No, Grandpa was not lost. Ravi feared that he had lost him, but Grandpa returned home safely before Ravi. This shows that Grandpa was more capable than others assumed.

III. How would Ravi feel after seeing Grandpa?

Answer:
Ravi would feel relieved, happy, and affectionate. He had been very worried when he could not find Grandpa. Seeing him safe at home made Ravi realise how much he loved him.

IV. Do you think Ravi’s mother will get to know what happened?

Answer:
She may not know everything directly, but Grandpa’s comments suggest that he understood Ravi had followed him. His gift of detective stories also hints that he knew what had happened.

Check Your Understanding: Vitamin-M Part III

I. Describe Ravi’s emotional reaction when he finds Grandpa safe at home.

Answer:
Ravi feels great delight and relief when he hears Grandpa snoring at home. He kneels near Grandpa, notices his wrinkled face, and hugs him affectionately. This reaction shows that Ravi truly loves and cares for his grandfather.

II. What is the significance of Grandpa giving gifts on his own birthday?

Answer:
Grandpa’s habit of giving gifts on his birthday shows his generosity and affection. He still sees his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson as his “babies.” It also proves that he remembers important family traditions, even though others think his memory is failing.

III. Why did Grandpa give Ravi a detective story book?

Answer:
Grandpa gave Ravi a detective story book because he probably knew Ravi had been following him. The gift was a playful hint that Ravi needed to learn better detective skills. It shows Grandpa’s humour, intelligence, and awareness.

Critical Reflection: Vitamin-M

I. Extract-based Questions

Extract 1

1. Choose the emotion displayed by Grandpa.
   The correct answer is C. nostalgic.
2. Complete the sentence.
   Grandpa hated the busy and noisy city life because he missed the peace, space, garden, and familiar comfort of his own house.
3. Why did Grandpa come to the city despite his dislike for city life?
   Grandpa came to the city because he was too old to live alone safely. He had slipped in his garden and lain outside all night because no one was there to help him.
4. Choose an expression similar to “you can even hear a leaf fall.”
   The correct answer is D. pin drop silence.
5. State one advantage and one disadvantage of Grandpa living in his town house.
   One advantage was that he felt peaceful and independent in his own house. One disadvantage was that he could be unsafe if he fell ill or got injured while alone.

Extract 2

1. Choose the tone of Grandpa’s response.
   The correct answer is C. calm.
2. Why was Ravi confused and embarrassed?
   Ravi was confused and embarrassed because Grandpa said Ravi had disappeared instead of looking after him. Ravi knew he had secretly followed Grandpa, and Grandpa’s statement suggested that he knew it too.
3. Complete the sentence.
   Ravi’s mother was impatient because she thought Grandpa had forgotten Ravi’s birthday and was giving him a gift at the wrong time.
4. State whether true or false.
   Grandfather forgot that Ravi’s birthday was three months ago.
   Answer: False.
5. Why did Grandpa say he did not know what kind of morning Ravi had?
   Grandpa said this because he knew Ravi had spent the morning following him secretly. He was teasing Ravi while pretending not to know anything.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Grandpa is shown as forgetful in the beginning. Give two evidences to disprove this.

Answer:
Grandpa remembers his own birthday and the family tradition of giving gifts to every child in the house. He also remembers chess games and famous chess moves made by players like Karpov and Bobby Fischer. These details show that his memory has not completely failed.

2. Give two character traits of each character.

3. Why was Ravi worried about what Grandpa had at the tea stall?

Answer:
Ravi was worried because Grandpa drank sugary tea and ate bananas and ice cream. These items were forbidden at home, probably due to health reasons. Ravi knew his mother would be upset if she saw it.

4. Was it easy for Ravi to follow Grandpa?

Answer:
No, it was not easy. Ravi had to hide behind bushes, trees, cars, and benches. He was scolded by a child’s mother and vendors. He also lost track of Grandpa after following a stranger with Grandpa’s yellow cap.

5. “Ravi is a good detective.” Give one argument in favour and one against it.

Answer:
In favour, Ravi followed Grandpa carefully for some time without being seen. He noticed Grandpa’s stops at the park, tea stall, barber shop, and bus stop.

Against it, he was easily fooled by the stranger wearing Grandpa’s cap. He also attracted attention while hiding and was scolded by people.

6. Was Grandfather aware that Ravi was following him?

Answer:
Yes, Grandfather was most likely aware. He later gave Ravi a detective story book and told him he could learn how to avoid being fooled while trailing a suspect. This playful comment shows that Grandpa knew Ravi had followed him.

7. In your opinion, who needs Vitamin-M? Why?

Answer:
In my opinion, Ravi’s mother needs Vitamin-M more than Grandpa. She forgets Grandpa’s birthday even though she had marked it on the calendar. She also assumes Grandpa remembers very little, but he remembers many important things.

8. Give an example of age-based discrimination.

Answer:
Age-based discrimination can happen when people ignore an elderly person’s opinion because they think old people cannot understand modern life. It can also happen when adults ignore a child’s idea only because the child is young. Such behaviour is unfair because wisdom and understanding do not depend only on age.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

I. Classify movement words and sound words.

Fill in the blanks.

Detective Shankar, trailing the mysterious suspect through the dimly lit side lanes, away from the bustle of the city, quickened his pace briskly. The suspect’s heavy footsteps thudded across the street, unaware of the pursuit. Shankar twirling his magnifying glass had to crouch behind the market stalls, creeping through the lanes to avoid being seen. Shankar winced when he hit himself against a pole. This alarmed the suspect and he darted into the night leaving only the distant whirr of the sleeping city behind.

II. Synonyms of “dilemma”

Answer:

1. Quandary
2. Predicament

III. Word meanings, parts of speech, synonyms, and antonyms

IV. Match emotions and expressions.

V. Prepositions

Fill in the blanks.

I walked through the village, crossed a bridge over a brook, and found a quiet garden near a cottage. Sitting on a bench in the garden, I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. Later, I strolled along a riverbank, exploring the forest and heading towards the unknown.

VI. Interrogative Sentences

Answer:

1. The words in the quotes are interrogative sentences.
2. Sentences 1, 4, and 5 are Yes/No type interrogative sentences.
3. Sentences 2 and 3 are Wh-type interrogative sentences.

So, there are two types of interrogative sentences.

VII. Direct to Indirect Speech

Answer:

Arvind asked Priya if she helped in taking care of her grandparents at home, for which Priya replied in the affirmative and said that they took turns making sure they were alright. Priya further asked Arvind if he had grandparents living with him. Arvind replied in the negative and said that his parents and he visited his grandpa every weekend. He further enquired how she managed her grandparents’ medical needs. Priya responded by saying that they had a schedule for giving medications and visits to the doctor.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4: I Cannot Remember My Mother

Reflect and Respond

I. Childhood memories

Answer:
Some childhood memories I remember are playing in the park, listening to bedtime stories, celebrating festivals, visiting grandparents, eating homemade sweets, and going on school trips.

II. How can a child’s relationship with the mother influence emotions and memories?

Answer:
A mother’s love, voice, touch, and care can deeply shape a child’s emotions. Even when the child grows up, memories of songs, smells, food, festivals, and comforting moments may remain connected with the mother.

III. Match the words with meanings.

Check Your Understanding: I Cannot Remember My Mother

I. Fill in the blanks.

Stanza 1

1. The poet remembers his mother while he plays.
2. The poet remembers the tune but not the mother clearly.
   Setting: indoor

Stanza 2

1. The poet remembers his mother in the early autumn season.
2. The poet remembers his mother by the smell of shiuli flowers.
   Setting: outdoor

Stanza 3

1. The poet feels that his mother gazes at him from the distant sky.
   Setting: indoor

II. Sensory references from the poem

III. Poetic devices and appreciation

1. Two examples of alliteration:
   (i) “sometimes in the midst”
   (ii) “my mother”
2. Example of onomatopoeia:
   “Hum” is an example of onomatopoeia because it imitates a soft sound.
3. Imagery in the poem:
   The poem uses auditory imagery through the mother’s humming tune, olfactory imagery through the smell of shiuli flowers, and visual imagery through the blue distant sky.
4. Why is the poem enjoyable without rhyme?
   The poem is enjoyable because of its emotional depth, repetition, soft rhythm, imagery, and tender mood.
5. What is the tone of the poet?
   The tone is nostalgic, tender, and sad. The poet cannot remember his mother clearly, but he feels her presence through sound, smell, and nature.
6. Impact of the title:
   The title creates a mood of loss and longing. It prepares the reader for a poem about incomplete memory and emotional connection.
7. Why is “I cannot remember my mother” used as a refrain?
   The refrain emphasises the poet’s inability to remember his mother clearly. It also deepens the feeling of loss each time it is repeated.
8. Symbols used in the poem:
   The tune symbolises the mother’s care, shiuli flowers symbolise her fragrance and sacred presence, and the sky symbolises her calm, protective gaze.

Critical Reflection: I Cannot Remember My Mother

I. Extract-based Questions

Extract 1

1. Complete the sentence.
   The poet is reminded of his mother during his playtime.
2. What is the primary emotion conveyed by the line?
   The correct answer is C. It activates memories of the mother.
3. What role does the hovering tune play during playtime?
   The hovering tune brings back a faint memory of the poet’s mother. It reminds him of the song she used to hum while rocking his cradle.
4. State whether true or false.
   The poet experiences the tune lingering over playthings only occasionally during playtime.
   Answer: True.
5. How could the poet feel his mother’s presence though she is not there?
   The poet feels his mother’s presence through memory, sound, fragrance, and imagination. Her song, the smell of flowers, and the still sky make him feel close to her.

Extract 2

1. What does the poet suggest about the mother’s gaze spreading over the sky?
   The correct answer is B. The sky is a symbolic extension of the mother’s presence.
2. What emotion does the poet associate with stillness?
   The correct answer is D. a sense of serenity.
3. State whether true or false.
   The poet suggests that the mother’s gaze has a tangible and visual effect on the sky.
   Answer: False.
4. What is the purpose of likening the mother’s gaze to the sky?
   The poet compares the mother’s gaze to the sky to show that her love feels vast, calm, protective, and ever-present.
5. Complete the sentence.
   The tone of the poet in the given extract is peaceful and nostalgic because he feels his mother’s loving presence in the stillness of the sky.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the emotional impact of the refrain “I cannot remember my mother”?

Answer:
The refrain creates a feeling of sadness and longing. It shows that the poet’s direct memory of his mother is weak, but his emotional connection remains strong. Each repetition makes the loss feel deeper and more touching.

2. Interpret the connection between the poet’s mother and the following.

(i) Shiuli flowers
The smell of shiuli flowers reminds the poet of his mother. Their fragrance is connected with the temple’s morning service and creates a sacred memory of her presence.

(ii) Humming tune
The humming tune reminds the poet of the song his mother used to sing while rocking his cradle. It represents care, comfort, and childhood love.

3. What role does nature play in the poet’s memory of his mother?

Answer:
Nature becomes a medium through which the poet remembers his mother. The smell of shiuli flowers, the morning air, and the blue sky bring back emotional impressions of her. Nature preserves what memory cannot fully hold.

4. What can be inferred about the poet’s perception of the mother-child relationship?

Answer:
The poet sees the mother-child relationship as deep, tender, and lasting. Even when he cannot remember his mother clearly, her presence remains in his senses and emotions. This suggests that a mother’s love can stay with a child beyond physical memory.

Vocabulary in Context: I Cannot Remember My Mother

I. Classify the sensory words.

II. Fill in the blanks with sensory words.

Come and share my exquisite March morning with me: this sumptuous blaze of gold and sapphire sky; these scarlet lilies that adorn the sunshine; the voluptuous perfumes of neem and champak and serisha that beat upon the languid air with their implacable sweetness; the thousand little gold and blue and silver breasted birds bursting with the shrill ecstasy of life in nesting time. And, do you know that the scarlet lilies are woven petal by petal from my heart’s blood, these little quivering birds are my soul made incarnate music, these heavy scents are my emotions dissolved into aerial essence, this flaming blue and gold sky is the ‘very me’…

III. Match phrases with sensory associations.

Writing Task: Article on “Our Inspiring Elderly”

Our Inspiring Elderly
By Anirudh, Class 9

The elderly people in our families and communities are a source of wisdom, love, discipline, and experience. They have lived through many stages of life and have faced difficulties with patience. We should not see them only as people who need help. We should also recognise them as people who can guide and inspire us.

Our grandparents and elderly neighbours teach us values that books alone cannot teach. They tell us stories about family, culture, festivals, hard work, and honesty. Many of them have overcome illness, loneliness, financial struggles, or loss, yet they continue to live with courage. Their words and actions remind us to be patient, respectful, and grateful.

The elderly also inspire us through their strength. Even when their body becomes weak, their memories, habits, skills, and blessings remain valuable. In the story “Vitamin-M,” Grandpa proves that old age does not mean helplessness. He remembers important things, understands Ravi’s actions, and shows humour and generosity.

We must care for the elderly with kindness and respect. Spending time with them, listening to them, helping with their needs, and valuing their opinions can make them feel loved. Our inspiring elderly are not a burden; they are a living connection to our past and a guide for our future.

Writing Task: Diary Entry on a Scenic Place

Friday, 22 May 2026
8:30 p.m.

Today I returned from a school trip to a beautiful hill garden. The place appealed to all my senses. As soon as I entered, I saw rows of colourful flowers shining under the soft sunlight. The red roses, yellow marigolds, and green leaves looked like a bright painting spread across the earth.

The air was cool and fresh. I could smell wet soil, grass, and sweet flowers. Birds chirped from the trees, and the sound of water flowing from a small fountain made the place feel peaceful. I touched a soft leaf and felt tiny drops of water on it.

The most memorable moment was standing near the viewpoint with my friends. The sky looked wide and blue, and the hills seemed to fade into the distance. I felt calm, happy, and grateful. This trip reminded me that nature can refresh the mind and create memories that stay for a long time.

Topics Covered in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4

• Vitamin-M Class 9
• Asha Nehemiah Vitamin-M
• Ravi and Grandpa’s relationship
• Caring for the elderly Class 9 English
• Ageing, independence, and dignity
• Memory and misunderstanding
• Humour in the story
• Grandpa’s birthday gifts
• Ravi as a secret detective
• I Cannot Remember My Mother Class 9
• Rabindranath Tagore I Cannot Remember My Mother
• Childhood memories Class 9 English
• Mother-child relationship
• Refrain, imagery, symbolism, and onomatopoeia
• Movement words and sound words
• Prepositions
• Interrogative sentences
• Direct and indirect speech Class 9 English
• Sensory words
• Article writing
• Diary entry writing

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Kaveri Structure 2026