Chapter 5 The Summit Within Important Questions Class 8 Honeydew English
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Write the physical and spiritual aspects of summit Mountain?
Answer
Whether the mountain you climb is physical or emotional and spiritual, the climb will certainly change people. It teaches us much about the world & about ourselves.
Question 2. How was the experience of author when he climbed mountains?
Answer
By climbing the summit of Everest, the author was overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. It was a joy which lasts a lifetime. The experience changed him completely.
Question 3. How does the author view himself in the light of his surroundings, as he reaches the summit?
Answer
The author becomes more and more conscious of his smallness as he sees the universe from the mountain peak.
Question 4. “The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again”. Why?
Answer
“The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again” because it is not easier to climb summit. Although it is physical exhaustion but obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. Because the experience is worthwhile.
Question 5. Why did the author feel change within himself?
Answer
He experienced change within himself which is called mystical because of the beauty, aloofness, might, ruggedness, and the difficulties encountered on the way.
Question 6. Who was Major HPS Ahluwalia?
Answer
Major HPS Ahluwalia was a member of the first successful Indian expedition to the Mount Everest in 1965.
Question 7. Explain why the Author summit to the Everest?
Answer
According the author the Summit, presents great difficulties. Man takes delight in ever coming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to mountain means endurance, persistence and willpower, so it is very exciting to climb the mountains.
Question 8. Why did author says that “internal summit are, perhaps, higher than Everest”?
Answer
He said “Internal summits are perhaps, higher than Everest”. Because his experience as an Everester has provided him the inspiration to face life’s ordeals resolutely. Climbing mountains gives worthwhile experience.
Question 9. What does Ahluwalia have to say about the relationship between mountain climbing and life?
Answer
According to HPS Ahluwalia, there is a very close connection between these two journeys. His experience as an Everest climber gave him the inspiration to face life’s ordeals with great confidence.
Question 10. Why did author say that “instead of being jubilant” there was a tinge of sadness?
Answer
He said that “instead of being jubilant” there was a tinge of sadness, because he had already done the ‘ultimate’ in climbing and there would be nothing higher to climb as all roads hereafter would lead down.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Why does the author become sad on reaching the top of the mountain?
Answer
On reaching the top of the mountain, the author became sad because his goal had been attained & now a certain vacuum had overcome in the absence of an aim. Also, the highest had been reached & the author realizes that from here on the journey would only lead downwards.
Question 2. ‘The internal summit is, perhaps, higher than Everest’. What qualities do a human being should possess?
Answer
Man forces both internal and external constraints and challengers. The dilemmas and insecurities leave one weak. Intolerable pain and conflicts needed to be conquered as various mountaineers physically. The qualities needed are endurance, vision, persistence and willpower. Hurdles break one’s confidence but that should be overcome-with enriching experiences.
Question 3. Why did they leave the picture of God at Everest?
Answer
He left on the Everest a picture of Guru Nanak. Rawat left a picture of goddess Durga, Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha, Edmund Hillary had buried a cross under a cairn (a heap of rocks & stones) in the snow. These are not symbols of conquest but of reverence.
Question 4. Why did the author climb mountains?
Answer
The author has been attracted by Mountains from his childhood. He felt miserable and lost when he was away from mountain in the plains. It’s beauty and majesty pose a great challenge and they were means of communion with God. So he climbed mountains.
Question 5. ‘Mountains are nature at its best’ why? Major Ahluwalia talks about in the lesson.
Answer
Mountains are nature’s blessing because they are abode of flora and fauna. They are mystic, serene, calm and quiet. One could experience closeness to God’s abode, heavenly father’s home from where it is considered that heavenly brink is showered upon all living creatures.
Extract Based Questions
Extract 1
Of all the emotions which surged through me as I stood on the summit of Everest, looking over miles of panorama below us, the dominant one I think was humility. The physical in me seemed to say, ‘Thank God, it’s all over!” However, instead of being jubilant, there was a tinge of sadness. Was it because I had already done the ‘ultimate’ in climbing and there would be nothing higher to climb and all roads hereafter would lead down? By climbing the summit of Everest you are overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. It is a joy which lasts a lifetime. The experience changes you completely. The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again.
Questions
(i) What emotion took over Major Ahluwalia when he reached the summit?
(ii) Why was Major not that happy after conquering the highest mountain?
(iii) Why was he thankful?
(iv) Why can the man be never the same again?
(v) Give the meaning of the word ‘Panorama’.
Answer
(i) Major Ahluwalia successfully climbed the Everest, the emotion that took over was ‘humility’.
(ii) Major took a panoramic view but he was not as jubilant as he should have been. He felt that there would be nothing higher to climb than the highest peak.
(iii) Major admired the vastness of the earth. He was very much thankful for attaining success in climbing the Mount Everest.
(iv) After climbing the highest mountain, one would feel the smallness in the vast universe.
(v) Complete view.
Extract 2
All these thoughts led me to question myself as to why people climb mountains. It is not easy to answer the question. The simplest answer would be, as others have said, “Because it is there.” It presents great difficulties. Man takes 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 physical qualities is no doubt exhilarating, as it was for me also. I have a more personal answer to the question. From my childhood I Save been attracted by mountains. I had been miserable, lost, when away from mountains, in the plains. Mountain are nature at its best. Their beauty and majesty pose a great challenge, and like many, I believe that mountains are a means of communion with God.
Questions
(i) Why do people climb mountains?
(ii) What is the meaning of ‘A climb to a summit’?
(iii) What quality is ‘exhilarating1 for him?
(iv) What was his childhood belief about mountain?
(v) Find the suitable word with the same meaning as ‘state or feeling of close relationship’.
Answer
(i) Mountains always pose challenge to a man. It stands for firmness and put obstacles in the path.
(ii) Endurance, persistence and will power.
(iii) The demonstration of these physical qualities is exhilarating for him.
(iv) Mountains are a means of communion with God.
(v) Communion.
Extract 3
Consider a typical climb, towards the summit on the last heights. You are sharing a rope with another climber. You firm in. He cuts the steps in the hard ice. Then he belays and you inch your way up. The climb is grim. You strain every nerve as you take every step. Famous climbers have left records of the help given by others. They have also recorded how they needed just that help. Else they might have given up.
Breathing is difficult. You curse yourself for having let yourself in for this. You wonder why you ever undertook the ascent. There are moments when you feel like going back. It would be sheer relief to go down, instead of up. But almost at once you snap out of that mood. There is something in you that does not let you give up the mystical: spiritual ascent: climb firm in: make yourself firm belays: fixes a rope.
The Summit Within 79 struggle. And you go on. Your companion keeps up with you. Just another fifty feet. Or a hundred, maybe. You ask yourself: Is there no end? You look at your companion and he looks at you. You draw inspiration from each other. And then, without first being aware of it, you are at the summit.
Questions
(i) Explain ‘the climb is grim’.
(ii) How are the records of famous climbers helpful?
(iii) It also boosts the morale of the climbers. Do you think Major also wanted to ‘give up’?
(iv) How does the mood give a boost?
(v) Change the word ‘grim’ an adjective into a noun.
Answer
(i) Towards the summit one cuts the step in the hard ice and make one for other. Strenuous efforts make a climber successful.
(ii) The records of famous climbers help in facing the difficulties.
(iii) Major revealed that climbers curse themselves for putting their lives in danger. Because they feel exhausted and breathless.
(iv) Sometimes the depressing thoughts took over a climber but the companions draw inspiration from each other.
(v) Grim – grimace.