Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10 – Dolly at the Dentist

Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10 Dolly at the Dentist: “Dolly at the Dentist” is the tenth chapter of the Prose section of Rainbow Part 1 for Bihar Board Class 11 English. The lesson is a humorous dramatic conversation involving Dolly, a dentist named Valentine and her brother Philip.

The chapter begins with Dolly visiting a dentist to have a troublesome tooth removed. Instead of behaving like a nervous patient, Dolly keeps asking the dentist unusual questions about his profession, income, clinic, family and personal life. Her witty comments create a series of amusing situations.

The lesson later introduces Philip, Dolly’s brother, and reveals more about their family background. The conversation is full of irony, wit and humour. Along with the literary portion, students have to prepare questions and answers, word meanings, word formation, phrases, grammar and activities.

Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10 Dolly at the Dentist – Overview

Dolly at the Dentist – Summary

The story opens in a dentist’s clinic. Dolly has gone there because one of her teeth needs to be removed. The dentist, Valentine, successfully extracts the tooth. After the procedure, he casually tells Dolly that it was his “first tooth”. Dolly is surprised and immediately wonders whether the dentist had started his practice by experimenting on her.

Valentine explains that he means it was the first tooth he had removed in his private practice. Dolly’s unusual reaction establishes her personality from the beginning. She is not frightened or silent like an ordinary patient. Instead, she starts asking questions and making witty observations.

The dentist had offered Dolly gas to make the extraction less painful. She refused because taking gas would have required an additional payment of five shillings. This becomes one of the central comic elements of the conversation. Dolly would rather tolerate the pain than spend the extra money.

When Valentine feels sorry that Dolly suffered unnecessary pain, she gives him a humorous reply. According to her, hurting people is part of a dentist’s business. Her statement is deliberately blunt and creates an amusing contrast between the dentist’s professional duty and Dolly’s interpretation of it.

Dolly then becomes curious about the dentist’s personal and professional life. She asks how long he has been working at the clinic. Valentine tells her that he has been there for only six weeks. She notices that he does not own the premises or all the furniture and that some of his professional equipment is hired.

She also asks whether the dentist has a family. Valentine explains that he is unmarried. Dolly’s questions become increasingly personal, showing that she is extremely inquisitive and does not hesitate to ask a stranger about matters that would normally be considered private.

The dentist is referred to as a five-shilling dentist because his charges are based around five shillings. Dolly then gives him a new five-shilling coin and jokingly suggests that he should make a hole in it and wear it on his watch chain. She treats his first fee as if it were a medal or trophy.

After leaving the dentist’s room, Dolly reports what she has discovered to her brother Philip. She tells him about Valentine’s name, his short experience at the clinic, his unmarried status, his rented premises and his professional equipment.

Dolly and Philip then decide to invite Valentine to lunch. Their purpose is partly playful. They want to be able to tell their mother that a respectable Englishman has agreed to dine with them. Their conversation reveals that their mother is an unusual person who writes books dealing with modern life and behaviour.

The brother and sister refer to their mother’s books as Twentieth Century Treatises. The titles mentioned include works dealing with cooking, creeds, clothing, conduct and children. Their comments about these books add another layer of humour to the lesson.

Dolly and Philip do not want Valentine to read the books while they are still there. They jokingly suggest that the books might improve his mind, whereas they themselves prefer people whose minds have not been “improved” by their mother’s writings. This ironic remark is one of the memorable examples of humour in the chapter.

The humour of the lesson comes mainly from Dolly’s unconventional behaviour, her curiosity, her sharp observations and the contrast between ordinary social expectations and her fearless conversation.

Central Idea of Dolly at the Dentist

The central idea of Dolly at the Dentist is to create humour through an unusual conversation between a young woman and a dentist. Dolly’s personality is presented through her questions, observations and witty replies.

The lesson also shows how humour can emerge from ordinary situations. A simple dental appointment becomes amusing because Dolly refuses to behave like a conventional patient. Her curiosity gradually turns a professional interaction into a conversation about money, work, family and social relationships.

Major Characters in Dolly at the Dentist

Important Themes of Dolly at the Dentist

A. Work in Small Groups and Discuss

Question 1. Have you ever suffered from toothache? What did you do to overcome it?

Answer: Yes. When I suffered from toothache, I informed my family and consulted a dentist. I followed the dentist’s advice and took appropriate treatment to get relief from the pain.

Question 2. Who usually causes toothache?

Answer: Toothache can be caused by several dental problems, such as tooth decay, infection, damaged teeth or problems with the gums. Poor dental hygiene can also increase the risk of toothache.

Question 3. Have you ever visited a dentist’s clinic?

Answer: Yes, I have visited a dentist’s clinic for a dental check-up and treatment. A dentist examines the teeth and recommends suitable treatment when there is a problem.

Question 4. How did you feel at the clinic?

Answer: I felt slightly nervous at first, but after talking to the dentist I became comfortable. A clean and professional clinic can make a patient feel more relaxed.

B.1 – Answer the Following Questions Very Briefly

Question 1. What does “That was my first tooth” mean?

Answer: The dentist means that Dolly’s tooth was the first tooth he had extracted in his private practice.

Question 2. Why did Dolly refuse to take gas?

Answer: She refused because taking gas would have cost her an additional five shillings.

Question 3. Why does Dolly say, “It’s your business to hurt people”?

Answer: She says this jokingly because a dentist sometimes causes temporary pain while removing or treating a tooth.

Question 4. Is a dentist’s business to hurt people?

Answer: No. A dentist’s real purpose is to diagnose and treat dental problems and provide relief from pain. Any discomfort caused during treatment is only a part of the procedure.

Question 5. Why does the dentist ask, “Is there anything else you would like to know?”

Answer: Dolly has been asking him a series of personal questions. The dentist’s remark indicates that he is becoming eager to end the questioning and the conversation.

Question 6. Why does Dolly ask Valentine to wear the five-shilling coin on his watch chain?

Answer: She jokingly treats the coin as a special award because it represents the first fee earned by Valentine in his new private practice.

Question 7. How long has the dentist been working at the clinic?

Answer: He has been working there for six weeks.

Question 8. Why is Valentine called a five-shilling dentist?

Answer: He is called a five-shilling dentist because five shillings is associated with the charges he makes for his dental services.

Question 9. What does “family” mean when the dentist says that he has no family?

Answer: In this context, “family” mainly refers to a wife and children.

Question 10. Does family mean only wife and children?

Answer: No. In a broader sense, family may include parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and other close relatives.

B.2 – Answer the Following Questions Briefly

Question 1. What does Dolly tell Philip about the dentist?

Answer: Dolly tells Philip that the dentist’s name is Valentine and that he has been working at the clinic for only six weeks. She also tells him that he is unmarried, does not own the premises or all the furniture and uses hired professional equipment.

Question 2. Why do Dolly and Philip invite Valentine to lunch?

Answer: They want to tell their mother that a respectable Englishman has agreed to have lunch with them. Their invitation is also part of their playful attempt to impress their mother.

Question 3. Is Valentine willing to dine with Dolly and Philip?

Answer: Initially, Valentine is hesitant because Dolly and Philip are practically strangers to him. Their invitation comes unexpectedly.

Question 4. Why do Dolly and Philip say that they came to England?

Answer: They say that they came to England to get away from their mother’s work and the unusual books she writes about modern life.

Question 5. What are the Twentieth Century Treatises?

Answer: They are a humorous group of books associated with different aspects of modern life, including cooking, beliefs, clothing, conduct and children.

Question 6. Why do Dolly and Philip want Valentine to read the books after they have left?

Answer: They jokingly claim that the books will improve his mind, but they prefer people with unimproved minds. Therefore, they suggest that he should read them only after they have gone.

C.1 – Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Write the gist of the conversation between Dolly and the dentist.

Answer: Dolly visits Valentine to have a tooth extracted. After the dentist successfully removes it, he says that it was his first tooth. Dolly misunderstands the statement and thinks that he may have started practising on her. Valentine clarifies that it was simply his first extraction in private practice.

The conversation then turns to the use of gas. Valentine had offered it to Dolly, but she refused because it would cost an extra five shillings. Dolly’s unwillingness to spend the money becomes a major source of humour.

Dolly then begins asking the dentist questions about his clinic, professional equipment, charges and family. Valentine explains that he has been working there for six weeks, is unmarried and does not own all the property and equipment used in his practice.

Finally, Dolly gives him a five-shilling coin and jokingly suggests that he should put a hole in it and wear it on his watch chain as a reminder of his first professional earning. The entire conversation presents Dolly as witty, curious and unconventional.

Question 2. What qualities should a good dentist have? Is Valentine a dentist of your choice?

Answer: A good dentist should be properly qualified, skilled, careful, patient and considerate. He should explain the treatment clearly and try to reduce the patient’s discomfort. Whenever possible, a dentist should preserve a natural tooth rather than remove it unnecessarily.

Valentine appears to possess several desirable qualities. He is concerned about Dolly’s pain and offers her gas before extracting the tooth. He also performs the extraction successfully even though she refuses the anaesthetic. His professional behaviour and concern for the patient make him a suitable dentist in the context of the story.

Question 3. Which remarks in the chapter do you find particularly amusing?

Answer: Several remarks are amusing because they contradict normal expectations. Dolly’s statement that hurting people is the dentist’s business is funny because she says it immediately after refusing an anaesthetic to save money.

Her treatment of the five-shilling coin is also humorous. She presents it almost like an award and suggests that Valentine should wear it on his watch chain. Her comments about her mother’s books are equally ironic because she says that the books may improve Valentine’s mind while simultaneously suggesting that she and Philip prefer people without such improvement.

The humour comes from Dolly’s unusual logic, bluntness and quick replies.

Question 4. Who is more amusing, Dolly or Philip?

Answer: Dolly is more amusing than Philip. She dominates the conversation with the dentist and continuously produces unexpected comments. Her questions about Valentine’s professional and private life, her refusal to spend five extra shillings on gas and her joke about the five-shilling coin make her the principal source of humour.

Philip also contributes to the comedy, but his role is comparatively smaller. Dolly’s personality is more lively, inquisitive and unconventional, which makes her the more amusing character.

Question 5. Write a character sketch of Dorothy Clandon.

Answer: Dorothy Clandon, commonly called Dolly, is a young woman who is attractive, talkative, curious and witty. She is highly observant and notices details about the dentist’s clinic and professional circumstances.

Dolly is also unusually inquisitive. She asks Valentine questions about his work, charges, family and personal life even though they are not close acquaintances. Her comments are sometimes impertinent, but they are presented in a humorous way.

She is also careful with money. Her refusal to take gas because it costs five extra shillings shows her frugality. Her sharp observations and unconventional manner make her the most memorable character in the lesson.

C.2 – Group Discussion

Question 1. Is a nuclear family better than a joint family?

Answer: Both family systems have advantages and disadvantages. A nuclear family may provide greater privacy, independence and flexibility, especially for people living in cities. A joint family, on the other hand, can provide emotional support, shared responsibilities and close relationships between generations.

Therefore, it is difficult to declare one system universally better. The success of a family depends more on mutual respect, cooperation and understanding than simply on its size.

Question 2. Is unnecessary curiosity about someone’s personal life against social decorum?

Answer: Yes. Every person has a right to privacy. Asking unnecessary questions about someone’s income, family, marriage or other personal matters can make the person uncomfortable.

Friendly conversation is natural, but social manners require us to recognise boundaries. Personal questions should be asked only when they are appropriate to the situation and relationship.

C.3 – Composition

Question 1. Write a paragraph on “The Duty of a Doctor”.

Answer: The primary duty of a doctor is to provide proper medical care and protect the health and life of patients. A doctor should be skilled, honest, compassionate and responsible. The doctor should treat patients without discrimination and should respect their privacy. Money is necessary for professional life, but greed should never come before the welfare of a patient. A doctor should explain treatment clearly and make every reasonable effort to reduce the patient’s suffering. Because medical treatment involves trust, doctors should maintain the dignity and ethical standards of their profession.

Question 2. Write a paragraph on “The Relation between a Doctor and a Patient”.

Answer: The relationship between a doctor and a patient is based on trust. A patient must be able to share health-related information honestly so that the doctor can make a proper diagnosis. The doctor has a responsibility to protect the patient’s privacy and provide suitable treatment. At the same time, the patient should follow medical advice and communicate clearly about symptoms and difficulties. Respect, honesty, confidentiality and understanding strengthen this relationship and help improve the quality of medical care.

D.1 – Dictionary Use

Question 1. Correct the spelling of the given words.

Answer: While preparing this exercise, students should carefully compare each word with a reliable English dictionary and learn the correct spelling. The exercise is designed to improve spelling accuracy.

Question 2. Give two meanings of the following words.

D.2 – Word Formation

The chapter provides examples showing how several words can be formed from a single root verb. Learning these word families helps students understand how nouns, adjectives, adverbs and participles are formed.

D.3 – Word Meaning

D.3 – Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Adjectives

The suitable adjectives are mature, celebrated, awful, inquisitive, momentary, critical and flippant.

D.4 – Important Phrases

E. Grammar – Yes/No and Information Questions

This chapter explains two important types of questions: Yes/No questions and information questions.

Yes/No Questions

Yes/No questions normally begin with an auxiliary verb and can generally be answered with “Yes” or “No”. Examples include questions beginning with do, have, may, could and will.

Information Questions

Information questions begin with Wh-words such as why, what, where, when and how. They seek specific information and therefore cannot normally be answered simply with “Yes” or “No”.

Wh-words Used as Subjects

Sometimes the Wh-word itself acts as the subject of the sentence. In such questions, the Wh-word can be followed directly by the main verb without using a separate auxiliary.

Examples:

• Who is the worker?
• Who is your teacher?
• What made you laugh?
• What caused the problem?
• Which is the best option?
• Which is the last point?

F. Activity – Wit and Humour

Question 1. What is wit?

Answer: Wit is the ability to express ideas quickly and cleverly, often in a way that is amusing or surprising. A witty person can turn an ordinary situation into an entertaining exchange through sharp observations and intelligent replies.

Question 2. What is humour?

Answer: Humour is the quality that makes a situation, statement or action funny or amusing. It may arise from unexpected behaviour, irony, exaggeration, contrast or clever dialogue.

Question 3. How are wit and humour used in the lesson?

Answer: Dolly’s conversation with Valentine contains many examples of wit and humour. Her statement that hurting people is the dentist’s business is an example of witty interpretation. Her refusal to spend extra money on gas and her suggestion that Valentine should wear the five-shilling coin like a medal also create humour.

The opening conversation about Valentine’s “first tooth” is another comic situation. Dolly initially misunderstands the statement and reacts as if she has been used as the dentist’s first experimental patient. Such misunderstandings and unexpected replies keep the lesson humorous throughout.

Important Word Meanings – Dolly at the Dentist

Important Questions from Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10

• What does “That was my first tooth” mean?
• Why did Dolly refuse to take gas?
• Why does Dolly say that it is the dentist’s business to hurt people?
• Why does Valentine ask if Dolly wants to know anything else?
• Why does Dolly give the dentist a five-shilling coin?
• How long has Valentine been working at the clinic?
• Why is Valentine called a five-shilling dentist?
• What does the word “family” mean in the conversation?
• What information does Dolly give Philip about Valentine?
• Why do Dolly and Philip invite Valentine to lunch?
• Why is Valentine initially reluctant to dine with them?
• What are the Twentieth Century Treatises?
• Why do Dolly and Philip want Valentine to read the books later?
• Write the gist of Dolly’s conversation with the dentist.
• What qualities should a good dentist possess?
• Why is Dolly more amusing than Philip?
• Write a character sketch of Dorothy Clandon.
• What is the importance of wit and humour in the lesson?
• What is the difference between Yes/No questions and information questions?
• Write a paragraph on the duty of a doctor.

Exam-Oriented Points – Dolly at the Dentist

How to Prepare Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10

1. Read the complete conversation between Dolly and Valentine carefully.
2. Understand why Dolly refuses gas and how the five-shilling joke develops.
3. Remember the information Dolly gives Philip about the dentist.
4. Prepare the character sketch of Dolly.
5. Understand why the chapter is humorous and identify examples of wit.
6. Learn the meanings of important words and phrases.
7. Practise word formation from the given root verbs.
8. Revise Yes/No questions and Wh-information questions.
9. Prepare the composition topics related to doctors and patients.
10. Revise the difference between wit and humour for the activity section.

Class 11 English Chapter 10 Dolly at the Dentist – FAQs

Important Links

Conclusion

Bihar Board Class 11 English Chapter 10 Dolly at the Dentist is a light-hearted and entertaining prose lesson. Dolly’s unusual questions, sharp observations and witty replies turn a routine visit to the dentist into a humorous conversation.

The chapter is especially useful for understanding characterisation, wit, humour, irony and conversational style. Students should also prepare the word-study, phrases and grammar sections because these form an important part of the chapter exercises.

For examination preparation, special attention should be given to Dolly’s character, the conversation between Dolly and Valentine, the significance of the five-shilling coin, the Twentieth Century Treatises, the difference between wit and humour, and the Yes/No and information-question exercises.