WORKING WITH THE TEXT
1. Answer the following questions.
(i) What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb?
ANSWER: The three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb are:
a. endurance,
b. persistence
c. will power.
(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?
ANSWER: Adventure is risky, but it’s also exciting. Even though it presents great difficulties, man thrives in overcoming difficulties. Everest is the world’s highest and most massive peak, and innumerable attempts to conquer it have failed. The author feels “exhilaration, the joy of having done something, the sense of a war waged and won” when he reaches the summit. There is a sense of accomplishment as well as happiness. The physical ascent of a mountain is just a part of the success. It’s followed by a feeling of success and satisfaction. It is not only a physical but also a spiritual and emotional experience.
(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?
ANSWER: Everest, one of the world’s highest and most powerful mountains, attracted him with its beauty, toughness, and the challenges he would face along the way. Due to the tough struggle with rock and ice, climbing would require every ounce of one’s energy. The trip back is just as difficult as the trip out. However, once the summit is reached, there is a sensation of exhilaration, the joy of having accomplished something and a sense of victory and happiness. All of these circumstances conspired to keep him from rejecting it.
(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
ANSWER: Climbing a mountain successfully and reaching its peak needs endurance, perseverance, and willpower. It is both emotional and spiritual. It satisfies a climber’s insatiable desire for adventure, giving a sense of pleasure, satisfaction, and a deep desire to reach above and above the environment.
(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: “He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe.” This awareness defines an emotion of humility in a person.
(vi) What were the “symbols of reverence” left by members of the team on Everest?
ANSWER: A picture of Guru Nanak is placed on Everest by the author. An image of Goddess Durga was left by Rawat. Phu Durgi left a Buddha relic behind. Edmund Hillary, a devout Christian, buried a cross beneath the sandstone. All of these were symbols of God’s reverence.
(vii) What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?
ANSWER: His experience as an Everest climber, according to the author, motivated him to deal with life’s difficulties head-on. It reminded him that achieving the internal summit is just as crucial as reaching the top of the mountain. He also felt that the inner summits could beat Everest in height.
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 conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience. _________________________________
ANSWER:
(ii) Climbing a mountain involves physical challenges. Reaching to the top of the mountain is a test of endurance and commitment. It is a difficult hurdle to overcome.
(iii) Climbers face a huge challenge in the mountains, which also serve as a means of connection with God.
(iv) When the peak is achieved, there is a sense of accomplishment, success, and happiness.
(v) Climbing to the top of a mountain is similar to climbing the mountain inside yourself, and any climb will surely transform you and give you a sense of being in contact with God.
WORK WITH LANGUAGE
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
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) Teacher: You were away from school without permission. Go to the principal at once and submit your explanation.
Pupil: Yes, Madam. But would you help me write it first?
(ii) Arun: Are you unwell?
Ila: No, not at all 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 at first sight.
David: Is that what makes them so popular in foreign countries?
(iv) Asif: You look depressed. Why are your spirits at a low ebb 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 at hand.
Jyoti: How should I welcome it?
Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.
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:
1. endure endurance
2. persist persistence
3. signify significance
4. confide confidence
5. maintain maintenance
6. abhor 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
ANSWER:
Remote – far away from
Means –method9(s)
Dominant –most prominent
Formidable – difficult to overcome
Overwhelmed — be 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 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.
ANSWER:
(a) There were formidable obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.
(b) We have no means of finding out what happened there.
(c) Why he lives in a house remote from any town or village is more than I can tell.
(d) Overwhelmed by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
(e) The old castle stands in a dominant position above the sleepy town.
SPEAKING AND WRITING
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 this sentence
Mountains are a means of communion 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 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: It is an activity.
👍👍👍