The Summit Within NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5
Question 1.
Standing on Everest, the writer was ………
(i) overjoyed.
(ii) very sad.
(iii) jubilant and sad.
Choose the right item.
Answer:
(iii) jubilant and sad.
Question 2.
The emotion that gripped him was one of
(i) victory over hurdles.
(ii) humility and a sense of smallness.
(iii) greatness and self-importance.
(iv) joy of discovery.
Choose the right item.
Answer:
(ii) humility and a sense of smallness
Question 3.
“The summit of the mind” refers to
(i) great intellectual achievements.
(ii) the process of maturing mentally and spiritually.
(iii) overcoming personal ambition for common welfare.
(iv) living in the world of thought and imagination.
(v) the triumph of mind over worldly pleasures for a noble cause.
(vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself.
Mark the items(s) not relevant.
Answer:
(vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself.
The Summit Within Working With the Text (Page 81)
Question 1.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb?
Answer:
Endurance, persistence and will power these are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb. Their demonstration is must, however.
(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable ?
Answer:
On completion of an adventure one feels everlasting joy of a lift time. The feelings of a unique triumph and of happiness are felt. Thats why though risky an adventure is also pleasurable.
(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistable ?
Answer:
The Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. It is the mightiest ever and a numerous climbers had scaled it unsuccessfully before the author’s expedition. It is found irresistible.
(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Answer:
However, one climbs a high peak with an adventure within him but the feeling of communion and the eternal love attract him towards the indispensable deed. No doubt, it is the toughest job with the courage at the stake.
(v) He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe’. This awareness defines an emotion mentioned in the first paragraph. Which is the emotion ?
Answer:
That emotion is ‘humility’.
(vi) What were the ‘symbols of reverence’ left by members of the team on Everest ?
Answer:
The ‘symbols of reverence’ are following:
(i) a pic of Guru Nanak
(ii) a pic of Goddess Durga
(iv) a relic of Buddha
(iv) a Cross
(vii) What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him ?
Answer:
One must face the life’s painful experience with firmness of mind and determination of the soul.
Question 2.
Write a sentence against each of the following statements. Your sentence should explain the statement. You can pick out sentences from the text and rewrite them. The first one has been done for you.
(i) The experience changes you completely. One who has been to the mountains is never the same again.
(ii) Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles.
(iii) Mountains are nature at its best.
(iv) The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying.
(v) The physical conquests of a mountain is really a spiritual experience.
Answer:
(ii) Overcoming obstacles satisfies man’s deep desire to rise above the surroundings.
(iii) They are the means of communion with god.
(iv) The party got a sense of fulfilment.
(v) It shakes our spirit and takes us to victory up to the top.
The Summit Within Working With Language (Page – 82)
Question 1.
Look at the italicised phrases and their meanings given in brackets.
Mountains are nature at its best. (nature’s best form and appearance)
Your life is at risk. (in danger; you run the risk of losing your life.)
He was at his best/ worst in the last meeting. (it was his best/ worst performance.)
Fill in the blanks in the following dialogues choosing suitable phrases from those given in the box.
at hand, at once, at all ,at a low ebb, at first sight |
(i) Teacher: You were away from school without permission. Go to the principal ……… and submit your explanation.
Pupil : Yes, Madam. But would you help me write it first ?
(ii) Arun: Are you unwell ?
Ila : No, not ………….. Why do you ask ?
Arun : If you were unwell, I would send you to my uncle.
He is a doctor.
(iii) Mary: Almost every Indian film has an episode of love ………….
David : Is that what makes them so popular in foreign countries ?
(iv) Asif : You look depressed. Why are your spirits …………….. today ? (Use such in the phrase)
Ashok : I have to write ten sentences using words that I never heard before.
(v) Shieba : Your big moment is close ………….
Jyoti : How should I welcome it?
Shieba : Get up and receive the trophy.
Answer:
(i) at once
(ii) at all
(iii) at first right
(iv) at a low ebb
(v) at hand
Question 2.
Write the noun forms of the following words adding -ance or -ence to each.
(i) endure………
(ii) persist ………………
(iii) signify ………..
(iv) confide ……………….
(v) maintain ………..
(vi) abhor ………….
Answer:
(i) endurance
(ii) persistence
(iii) significance
(iv) confidence
(v) maintenance
(vi) abhorrence
Question 3.
(i) Match words under A with their meanings under B.
A | B |
remote | difficult to overcome |
means | most prominent |
dominant | overcome/overpowered |
formidable | method (s) |
overwhelmed | far away from |
Answer:
A | B |
remote | far away from |
means | method (s) |
dominant | difficult to overcome |
formidable | most prominent |
overwhelmed | overcome/overpowered |
(ii) Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with appropriate words from under A.
(a) There were ………………. obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.
(b) We have no …………………. of finding out what happened there.
(c) Why he lives in a house ………… from any town or village is more than I can
(d) ………………. by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
(e) The old castle stands in a ……………… position above the sleepy town.
Answer:
(a) dominant
(b) means
(c) remote
(d) overwhelmed
(e) formidable
The Summit Within Speaking and Writing (Page-83)
Write a composition describing a visit to the hills, or any place which you found beautiful and inspiring. Before writing, work in small groups. Discuss the points given below and decide if you want to use some of these points in your composition.
(i) Consider this sentence
Mountains are a means of communion with God.
(ii) Think of the act of worship or prayer. You believe yourself to be in the presence of
the divine power. In a way, you are in communion with that power.
(iii) Imagine the climber on top of the summit-the height attained; limitless sky above;
the climber’s last ounce of energy spent; feelings of gratitude, humility and peace.
(iv) The majesty of the mountains does bring you close to nature and the spirit and joy
that lives there, if you have the ability to feel it. Some composition may be read aloud to the entire class afterwards.
Answer:
A Visit to A Hill Station
Mountains are means of communion with God. Last year I went to Shimla with my uncle. There we visited Kali Bari Mandir. It was at the height of 3500 ft from the ground. What a beautiful temple it was! I felt myself in the presence of the divine power. At such an height, one can’t help one with dreary of his thoughts. I found in the lap of some divine power that kept me alert and awake on such a high mountains. The limitless sky was very near to us. The height had pulled out the last ounce of our energy but the visit paid is worth remembering in our hearts. Tara Devi temple was the other temple we visited there with the devotion of heart-felt feelings. May goddess bless everyone with such an opportunity.
The Summit Within Introduction
Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia was a member of the first successful Indian expedition to Mount Everest in 1965. He felt elated when he stood on the highest point in the world. The lesson “The Summit Within’ depicts the courageous and adventurous story by Major him-self and narrated the most difficult task of climbing the summit.
The Summit Within Word Notes
Question 1.
How did the narrator feel while standing on top of Mt. Everest?
(a) proud
(b) humble
(c) dominant
(d) none of these
Answer:
(b) humble
Question 2.
What is the main quality that played a major role in the author’s climb ?
(a) physical power
(b) strong muscles
(c) endurance
(d) none of the above
Answer:
(c) endurance
Question 3.
Which word in the passage means ‘highest point ?
(a) overwhelmed
(b) top of a tree
(c) none of the above
(d) summit
Answer:
(d) summit
Question 4.
What has the author left on Mr. Everest as a ‘symbol of reverence’?
(a) a pic. of Durga
(b) a cross
(c) a pic. of Guru Nanak
(d) a relic of Buddha.
Answer:
(c) a pic. of Guru Nanak
Question 5.
Which word in the text means ‘very exciting’?
(a) exhaustion
(b) persistence
(c) exhilarating
(d) endurance.
Answer:
(c) exhilarating