Comprehension Check
Check 1 (NCERT Page 80)
1. Standing on Everest, the writer was
(i) overjoyed
(ii) very sad
(iii) jubilant and sad
Choose the right item.
Ans. (iii) jubilant and sad
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.
Ans. (ii) humility and a sense of smallness
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 item(s) not relevant.
Ans. The summit of the mind not refers to
(i) great intellectual achievements.
(ii) the process of maturing mentally and spiritually.
(iii) overcoming personal ambition for common welfare.
(v) the triumph of mind over worldly pleasures for a noble cause
(vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself
Working with the Text (NCERT Page 81)
1. Answer the following questions.
(i) What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb ?
Ans. The three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb were endurance, persistence and will power.
(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable ?
Ans. The adventure, though risky, gives pleasure because man takes delight in overcoming obstacles and doing what is difficult.
(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irrestible ?
Ans. The author finds it difficult to answer this question in its entirety. One reason quite obviously was because the Everest is the highest and the mightiest and the earlier attempts to reach its top had failed.
Also, the author found in climbing mountains a way to have a communion with God and nothing could be better that the Everest.
(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Ans. According to the author, one does not just climb the highest peak for fame or because of the undying love that man has for adventure.
He does so also to lift himself above his immediate surroundings, to rise above the pettiness of life. Climbing the mountain is a life changing experience and it teaches you lesson that last a life time.
(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?
Ans. Humility, according to the author, climbing the mountain peak makes you really humble.
Looking from the mountain peak, one finds his surroundings really small and one’s position in that surrounding further smaller. This makes you aware of your nothingness.
(v) What were the “symbols of reverence” left by members of the team on Everest?
Ans. Every climber left a symbol of reverence or what they associated with God. These ” symbols of reverence” were a picture or an idol of God, a relic or an emblem of God they worshipped.
Therefore, Ahluwalia left a picture of Guru Nanak, whereas Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga. Phu Dorji left a relic of Buddha and Edmund Hillary buried a cross.
(vii) What, according to the writer, did his experiences as an Everester teach him?
Ans. The author learnt various lessons as an Everester. The first lesson he learnt was of endurance, persistence and will power. To be able to reach the top and not leave the venture half way, one needed all three. The second lesson learnt was of team ship and helping your fellow climbers.
Each one’s life was deeply entangled with the actions of the other climbers. You could not risk the life of others due to your errors and also team work could help others emerge out of their difficulties too. The third lesson was of humility and gratitude. You thank God for every breath that you breath.
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. (i) 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 conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience.
…………………………….
Ans.
(ii) It is the eternal love for adventure in man.
(iii) The beauty of nature is found best in the mountains.
(iv) When the summit is climbed, there is the exhilaration, the joy of having done something, the sense of a battle fought and won.
(v) Mountains are a means of communion with God.
Working with Language (NCERT Page 82)
1. Look at the italicised phrase 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 welcome it ?
Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.
Ans.
(i) at once
(ii) at all
(iii) at first sight
(iv) at a low ebb
(v) at hand
2. Write the noun from the following words adding – ance or -ence to each.
(i) Endure…..
(ii) Persist……
(iii) Signify……
(iv) Confide……..
(v) Maintain………
(vi) Abhor………..
Ans.
(i) Endurance
(ii) Persistence
(iii) Significance
(iv) Confidence
(v) Maintainance
(vi) Abhorrence
3. (i) Match words under A with their meanings under B.
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Remote | difficult to overcome |
| Means | most prominent |
| Dominant | be overcome/ overpowered |
| Formidable | method(s) |
| Overwhelmed | far away from |
Ans.
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Remote | far away from |
| Means | method(s) |
| Dominant | most prominent |
| Formidable | difficult to overcome |
| Overwhelmed | be overcome/overpowered |
(ii) Fill in the blanks in the sentences given 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 tell.
(d) …………… by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
(e) The old castle stands in a ……… position above the sleepy town.
Ans.
(a) formidable
(b) means
(c) remote
(d) overwhelmed
(e) dominant
Speaking and Writing (NCERT Page 83)
1. 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.
Consider the sentence
Mountains are a means of communication with God. 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.
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.
The majesty of 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.
Ans. Last vacations I went to Mussouri with my family and friends. The cottage where we stayed was very close to the river and the mountains.
Everyone was having good fun, when I proposed climbing up the mountains.
The purity of the air, the delight at seeing the early morning rays of the sun are just the mountains.
But everyone was resistant and too lazy for a trek. I, however, could not resist the temptation of going up the mountains and enjoy the purity of air, the sight of the early morning rays of the sun; these feelings are just indescribable.
The peace that one attains in the mountains can not be matched elsewhere. I automatically began to chant the name of God as I was climbing up.
With every foot forward you come closer to God, for you begin to value life, something that we take for granted in the rush of city life. The beauty around makes you admire the craft of the master creator, God, who has invested so much in creating life on Earth.
The vibrant colours, the fragrance of flour, the sound of birds chirping, all overpower your senses and your own achievements begin to diminish in front of these. You really begin to attain God in his grace.