NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri: Chapter 4 — Vitamin-M
This chapter, titled 'Vitamin-M', from NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri, begins by prompting students to reflect on the care of the elderly. It uses a graphic organizer to explore why the elderly should be cared for, the problems they face, the reasons behind these problems, and how to care for them. Students are encouraged to discuss these points with classmates and their teacher. The chapter also includes a vocabulary exercise with words like 'frail', 'shuddered', 'poky', 'forbid', 'pottering', and 'wince', asking students to define them. A personal reflection activity asks students to think about traditions or stories passed down by elders and their personal significance. The narrative then introduces Ravi's mother wishing for a 'Vitamin-M' to improve the memory of the elderly, setting the stage for a story about an elderly person, Ravi's grandfather, who is described as frail and reading a newspaper.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Kaveri |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Vitamin-M |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 153 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of caring for the elderly.
- Identify common problems faced by elderly individuals.
- Expand vocabulary with new English words.
- Reflect on personal connections to family traditions and elders.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| frail | Weak and delicate |
| shuddered | Trembled convulsively, typically as a result of fear or cold |
| poky | Small and cramped |
| forbid | Refuse to allow (something) |
| pottering | To spend time aimlessly; move around in a leisurely way |
| wince | To make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress |
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Practice questions
- What did Ravi's mother wish for the elderly? Answer: Ravi's mother wished for a 'Vitamin-M' to help old people improve their memories.
- Describe Ravi's grandfather as per the text. Answer: Ravi's grandfather is described as a frail old figure sitting in a rocking chair, holding a newspaper close to his nose to read it.
- Name three words from the vocabulary exercise that relate to physical weakness or discomfort. Answer: Frail, shuddered, and wince.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 4?
The chapter 'Vitamin-M' focuses on the importance of caring for the elderly, their challenges, and building vocabulary.
What is 'Vitamin-M' as mentioned in the chapter?
'Vitamin-M' is a fictional invention Ravi's mother wishes for, intended to help elderly people improve their memories.
Which vocabulary words are introduced in the chapter?
The chapter introduces words like frail, shuddered, poky, forbid, pottering, and wince.
What personal reflection activity is included?
Students are asked to think about traditions or stories passed down by grandparents and their personal meaning.
What is the purpose of the graphic organizer?
The graphic organizer helps students brainstorm and structure their thoughts on why and how to care for the elderly.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 9 English — Kaveri — Chapter 4 — Vitamin-M. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.