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Class 8 Chapter 5 The Summit Within
Class 8 Chapter 5 The Summit Within
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.
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 item(s) not relevant.
Answers:
Question 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 ensured the success of the author were ‘endurance, persistence and will
power’.
(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?
Answer:
Mountain climbing is a great adventure but is also risky. It is a great challenge and a doing
challenging job is in itself pleasurable. It gives immense joy to the doers.
(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?
Answer:
Mount Everest attracted the author because it is the highest, the mightiest and has defied many
previous attempts. It takes the last ounce of one’s energy.
(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Answer:
Conquering summit is a great physical achievement. But more than that, it gives the climber the
emotional and spiritual satisfaction. It satisfies man’s eternal love for adventure.
(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’.
(vii) What according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?
Answer:
The experience of having conquered Mount Everest changed him completely. It made him
realise his own smallness.
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.
Answer:
(ii) The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit is a test of endurance
and will power. It is a challenge that is difficult to resist.
(iii) Everest is the highest and the mightiest and has defied many previous attempts.
(iv) When the summit is climbed, there is the joy of having done something, one has the feeling
of victory and of happiness.
(v) Mountains are a means of communion with God.
Question 1:
Look at the italicised phrases and their meanings given in brackets.
Mountains are nature (nature’s best form and appearance)
at its best.
Your life is at risk. (in danger; you run the risk of losing your life.) (it was his best/worst
performance.)
He was at his (it was his best/worst performance.)
best/worst
in the last meeting.
Fill in the blanks in the following dialogues choosing suitable phrases from those given in
the box.
1. at once
2. at all
3. at first sight
4. at such a low ebb
5. at hand.
Question 2:
Write the noun forms of the following words adding -ance or -ence to each.
1. endure ______________________
2. persist_____________
3. signify____________________
4. confide___________
5. maintain ___________________
6. abhor_____________
Answer:
1. endurance
2. persistence
3. significance
4. confidence
5. maintenance
6. abhorrence.
Question 3:
(i) Match words under A with their meanings under B.
Answer:
(ii) Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with appropriate words from under A.
1. There were ___________________ obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination
safely.
2. We have no __________________ of finding out what happened there.
3. Why he lives in a house ______________________ from any town or village is more than I
can tell.
4. __________________ by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
5. The old castle stands in a _______________________ position above the sleepy town.
Answer:
1. formidable
2. means
3. remote
4. Overwhelmed
5. dominant.
● 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:
For self attempt