NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Literature Reader Answers Chapter 11

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 11 Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth provide clear and well-explained answers to all textbook questions. This poem teaches a valuable lesson about dental care through the poet’s regret for not looking after her teeth in childhood. 

These Class 9 English Literature Reader answers Chapter 11 are prepared as per the latest CBSE syllabus and are perfect for revision and exam preparation. Students can rely on these answers to build strong concepts and improve their performance in English.

Class 9 Ch 11 Oh I Wish I Looked After Me Teeth

The poem Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres highlights the regret of not maintaining good dental hygiene. The poet looks back at her younger days when she often ate sweets and ignored brushing her teeth. As a result, she now faces dental problems and painful visits to the dentist. 

The repeated line Oh I wish I had looked after me teeth lyrics reflects her sorrow and serves as a reminder for everyone to care for their teeth before it’s too late. The poem uses simple language and a relatable tone to deliver a clear message about the importance of oral health.

NCERT Class 9 English Literature Reader Answers Chapter 11

 Below are the questions and answers from NCERT Solutions for class 9 oh i wish i looked after me teeth: 

Question 1. Parents alone are responsible for inculcating a good sense of dental hygiene amongst children. Do you agree/disagree? Discuss with your partner.
Answer:

I partly agree with this statement. Parents do play an important role in teaching children about dental hygiene. They can guide them to brush their teeth twice a day, avoid too many sweets, and visit the dentist regularly. 

However, as children grow up, they also need to take personal responsibility for their own health. 

Schools and teachers can also help by spreading awareness. So, it is not just the job of parents—everyone, including children, must take care of dental hygiene.

Question 2. On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the following table:

Answer:

Question 3. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by ticking the correct choice:
(a) The title ‘Oh, 1 wish I’d looked after me teeth’ expresses ______
(i) regret
(ii) humour
(iii) longing
(iv) pleasure
Answer:
(i) regret

(b) The conscience of the speaker pricks her as she has ______
(i) been careless
(ii) been ignorant
(iii) been fun loving
(iv) been rude
Answer:
(i) been careless

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

(d) The tone of the narrator is one of ______
(i) joy
(ii) nostalgia
(iii) regret
(iv) sorrow
Answer:
(iv) sorrow

Question 4. Answer the following questions:
(a) “… But up-and-down brushin’
And pokin’ and fussin’
Didn’t seem worth the time—I could bite!”
What do these lines convey?
Answer:
These lines show that the poet didn’t think brushing and taking care of her teeth was important when she was younger. Since she could still eat and bite properly, she didn’t worry. But later, she realized it was a mistake.

(b) Why did the poet go to the dentist? How could she have avoided it?
Answer:
The poet went to the dentist because she had cavities and needed fillings and drilling. She could have avoided this pain and trouble if she had taken care of her teeth by brushing regularly and avoiding too many sweets.

(c) “If you got a tooth, you got a friend” – What do you understand from this line?
Answer:
This line means that having healthy teeth is very helpful. Just like a good friend, teeth help you eat and stay healthy. Losing them makes life harder, so we should take care of them.

(d) With reference to the poem, how can you look after your teeth?
Answer:
We should brush our teeth properly every day, avoid eating too many sweets and sticky foods, and go to the dentist for regular check-ups. It’s important to care for our teeth before problems start.

This means it's better to stop a problem before it starts, just like taking care of your teeth to avoid pain later.

Question 5. Listen to the conversation between Doki and his sister, Moki. As you listen complete the idioms and expressions listed below:
1. sleep ……………….
2 ………………. me the willies
3. crack the ………………
4. take the …………….. to water
5. ……………tail.
6. wonders will …………….
7. ……………… can’t be undone.
8. reap what I …………….

Idioms are metaphorical expressions rather than literal. For example ‘give someone the willies’ does not simply mean ‘to hand over something called willies to someone’, but ‘to make someone feel nervous’. It is important for learners of English to understand them and be able to use them.
Answer:

Question 6.  Read the following statement where 7’ refers to ‘you’
“I can’t afford to, after what Jack s done to his teeth. ”
What is it, you think you can’t afford and why? Write a diary entry of not less than 100-120 words.
(in-class activity; not to be set up as homework).
Answer:
Dear Diary,

Today in class, we read the poem “Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth”. It really made me think about how important it is to take care of my teeth. I heard someone say, “I can’t afford to, after what Jack’s done to his teeth.” I totally agree. Jack didn’t brush properly and kept eating sweets. Now he has cavities and has to go to the dentist all the time. I don’t want to go through that pain. I’ve decided to brush my teeth twice a day and avoid too many sugary snacks. Taking care of my teeth now will help me avoid regret later, just like the poet felt in the poem.

Just Think

Question 7. In line 35, the poet has misspelt the word ‘amalgum’. Why do you think she has done that? Discuss.
(Teacher would point out the use of ‘me’ instead of ‘my’ and other linguistic variations that make the poem enjoyable.)
Answer:
The poet has misspelt the word ‘amalgam’ as ‘amalgum’ on purpose. This matches the informal and humorous style of the poem. She also uses words like ‘me’ instead of ‘my’ to make the poem sound more natural, casual, and like everyday speech. These language choices make the poem feel personal and relatable, as if someone is honestly sharing their regret in a fun way. It adds to the charm and tone of the poem.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 11 PDF Download

Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 11  Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth in PDF format from the link given below. The answers cover all textbook questions and help in quick revision before exams. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 11 PDF Download