LR -5 The Summit Within – HPS Ahluwalia

Comprehension Check (Page 80)

Question 1:
Standing on Everest, the writer was
(i) overjoyed
(ii) very sad.
(iii) jubilant and sad.
Choose the right item.

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:

1. (iii) jubilant and sad.

2. (ii) humility and a sense of smallness.
3. (vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself.

Working With the Text (Page 81)

Question 1: ( write in the note books)

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
doer

(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’.

vi) What were the ‘symbols of reverence’ left by members of the team on

Everest?
Answer:
The author left on Everest a picture of Guru Nanak. Rawat left a picture of
Goddess Durga. Phu Durgi left a relic of the Buddha. Edmund Hillary, being a
Christian, buried a Cross under the rock. All these were symbols of reverence
for God.

(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.He had mixed feelings… and made him
realize that the summit within ….his mind ….more difficult to conquer than any
physical mountain

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.

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) 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

Working with Language (Page 82)

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.

at hand, at once. at all ,at a low ebb, at first sight

1. 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?
2. 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.
3. Mary: Almost every Indian film has an episode of
love________________________ 

4. David: Is that what makes them so popular in foreign countries?

 5. 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.

5.Your big moment is close______________________ .

Jyoti: How should I welcome it?
Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy

Answer:

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.

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.

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.

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

● Think of the act of worship or prayer. You believe yourself to be in the

presence of 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
● . SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS ( Write)
● Question 1:
What do you know about H.P.S. Ahluwalia?
Answer:
Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia was a member of the first successful Indian
expedition to Mount Everest in 1965 .
● Question 2:
Which other summit has been talked to by the author?
Answer:
The other summit that has been talked to by the author is the summit of the
mind.
● Question 3:
Why do people climb mountains?
Answer:
 People climb mountains because it is a difficult task. They take delight in
overcoming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are
physical. A climb to- a summit means endurance, persistence and will
power. The demonstration of these qualities is exhilarating.

● Question 4:
How does the author view mountains?
Answer:
The author finds great joy in the company of mountains.
● Their beauty and majesty pose a great challenge.
● The author believes that mountains are a means of communion with
God.
● Question 5:
What features of Everest did draw the author to it?
Answer:
The beauty of Everest, its aloofness, might and ruggedness drew the
author to it. The difficulties that the author encountered on the way also
were taken by him as challenges which he couldn’t resist.
● I. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS – ( Write in your copy books)

Question 1:
Why did the author climb Mount Everest?
Answer:
The author climbed Mount Everest because it is the highest, the mightiest and
has defied many previous attempts. It takes the last ounce of one’s energy. It is
a brutal struggle with rock and ice. Once taken up, it cannot be given up halfway
because the passage back is as difficult as the passage onwards. And then,
when the summit is climbed, there is the exhilaration, the joy of having done
something, the sense of a battle fought and won. There is a feeling of victory
and of happiness.

Question 2:
How does Ahluwalia explain the title of the lesson, ‘The Summit Within’?
Answer:
The writer was a member of the team that reached the summit of Mount Everest. It
was a great achievement. But he did not feel vain or heroic. He felt that his conquest of
Everest was merely a physical experience. There was another summit within every
person. It was his own mind. One has to climb it also to get fuller knowledge of
oneself. This exercise is difficult. It also changes one as does standing on the summit
of Mt. Everest.

Question 3

How did Ahluwaliah feel standing on the summit?

Answer:
Ahluwalia was overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness.
Looking round from the summit, Ahluwalia told himself that his adventure,
though risky, was worthwhile. The surrounding peaks looked like a jewelled
necklace. It was an ennobling and enriching experience. He was filled with
humility. He thanked God and then left on Everest a picture of Guru Nanak.

Question 4:
How does Ahluwalia describe his achievement?
Answer:
Ahluwalia feels that Everest is not just a physical climb. Standing on the
mountain’s top he felt how small he was in the big universe. He experienced a
sense of fulfilment. It satisfied his love for adventure. The experience was not
just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.

Question 5:
What problems do the climbers face as they climb a mountain? Answer:
Breathing at great heights is difficult. The climber has to cut the steps in the
hard ice and he has to strain every nerve as he takes every step. Sometimes he
curses himself for undertaking such a task. There are moments when he feels
like going back for relief. But there is something that does not let him give up
the struggle.