Chapter 5 – The Summit Within

Content Structure

A. Word meanings
B. Exercise questions and answers
- Comprehension Check
- Working with the text
- Working with language
- Speaking and writing
C. Additional questions and answers
- Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
- Fill in the blanks
- True or false
- Match the following
- Short-type questions & answers
- Long-type questions & answers

A. Word meanings

Word	Meanings
Surged	Moved up fast and strong
Panorama	A big view of a place
Jubilant	Very happy after winning
Tinge	Shade
Exhaustion	very tired
Exhilarating	very exciting
Communion	A close friendship
Defied	Refused to follow the rules
Mystical	Magical or spiritual
Firm in	Stand strong and sure
Belays	Ties a rope safely
Ascent	Climb
Make your obeisance	Show respect by bowing
Ordeals	Very hard times
Resolutely	Staying strong and not giving up

B. Exercise questions and answers

Comprehension Check

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: (ii) the process of maturing mentally and spiritually.
(iii) overcoming personal ambition for common welfare.
(iv) living in the world of thought and imagination.

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?
Ans: The author’s climb was successful because of three important qualities

Endurance means not giving up even when things got tough.
Persistence means trying again and again until they succeed.
Willpower means they believed in themselves and kept pushing forward despite the challenges.

(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?
Ans: Adventure is both risky and fun because it gives excitement and thrill. Facing challenges makes you feel happy and proud so the risk feels worth it. Even though it’s dangerous the joy and excitement make it enjoyable.

(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?
Ans: Mount Everest was irresistible to the author because it is the highest mountain in the world and climbing it is a huge challenge. The idea of reaching the top achieving something so difficult and standing at the highest point on Earth made it impossible for the author to resist. The challenge itself made it even more exciting.

(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Ans: Climbing a high peak isn’t just about getting famous. People climb mountains to achieve personal goals, learn about themselves, and enjoy the challenge. It’s about testing their strength, facing tough situations, and growing, not just trying to be recognized.

(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: The emotion described is humility. The author realizes how small and unimportant they are compared to the huge universe. This feeling makes them feel respectful and thankful for nature and the world around them.

(vi) What were the “symbols of reverence” left by members of the team on Everest?
Ans: The climbers left different items on Everest as symbols of respect. These included a cross, a prayer flag for peace and blessings, some food as an offering, and a pencil left by one climber for his child. These things were a way for the climbers to show their thankfulness and respect for the mountain and their adventure.

(vii) What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?
Ans: The author learned many valuable lessons while climbing Everest. He understood the importance of determination, teamwork, and resilience. The experience also taught him humility, self-awareness, and the value of pushing past limits to achieve greatness.

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.
Ans: One who has been to the mountains is never the same again.

(ii) The experience changes you completely.
Ans: Reaching the top makes you realize how small you are and fills you with respect for nature.

(iii) Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles.
Ans: People love adventure because overcoming challenges makes them feel like they’ve risen above their surroundings.

(iv) Mountains are nature at its best.
Ans: The beauty and greatness of mountains are a big challenge, and they help people feel close to God.

(v) The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying.
Ans: The writer and his team became famous, and the feeling of success gave them great satisfaction.

(vi) The physical conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience.
Ans: Climbing a mountain gives a deep sense of satisfaction, making you feel like you’ve risen above your daily life.

Working with language

1. 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 I welcome it?
Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.
Ans:
(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 ______________. (endurance)
(ii) persist ______________. (persistence)
(iii) signify _____________. (significance)
(iv) confide _____________. (confidence)
(v) maintain _____________. (maintenance)
(vi) 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

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 below with appropriate words from under A.
(a) There were _________ obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely. (formidable)
(b) We have no ______________ of finding out what happened there. (means)
(c) Why he lives in a house ___________ from any town or village is more than I can tell. (remote)
(d) _________ by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice. (Overwhelmed)
(e) The old castle stands in a _________ position above the sleepy town. (dominant)

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 live there, if you have the ability to feel it.

Some composition may be read aloud to the entire class afterwards
Ans:

Mountains and Their Connection to God
Mountains are not just tall hills they can help us feel close to something powerful like God. When we pray we often feel connected to a higher power and standing on top of a mountain can make us feel the same way. Climbing to the top is very difficult and by the time a person reaches the summit they have used up all their energy but when they look around they see the endless sky above and the world far below. In that moment they feel grateful to God.

C. Additional questions and answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Who went on the first successful Indian Everest expedition?
(a) Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia
(b) Sir Edmund Hillary
(c) Tenzing Norgay
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru

Ans: (a) Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia

2. When did the first successful Indian Everest climb happen?
(a) 1947
(b) 1950
(c) 1965
(d) 1980

Ans: (c) 1965

3. Who was the first to climb Mount Everest?
(a) Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia
(b) Bachendri Pal
(c) Reinhold Messner
(d) Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

Ans: (d) Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

4. What does “tinge” mean?
(a) A large amount
(b) A small trace or shade
(c) Complete absence
(d) A strong feeling

Ans: (b) A small trace or shade

5. What does “jubilant” mean?
(a) Very happy
(b) Very sad
(c) Very tired
(d) Very angry

Ans: (a) Very happy

6. What does “remote” mean?
(a) Very close
(b) Easy to find
(c) Large and crowded
(d) Difficult to reach

Ans: (d) Difficult to reach

7. Why do people climb mountains?
(a) For adventure and challenge
(b) To enjoy nature’s beauty
(c) To test their strength and courage
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

8. Which three qualities helped the author climb?
(a) Endurance, persistence, willpower
(b) Courage, determination, teamwork
(c) Fear, laziness, doubt
(d) Anger, impatience, weakness

Ans: (a) Endurance, persistence, willpower

9. What kind of obstacles do climbers face while climbing a mountain?
(a) Mental obstacles
(b) Physical obstacles
(c) None of the above
(d) Both a & b

Ans: (d) Both a & b

10. What is only one part of the achievement in climbing a mountain?
(a) The physical conquest
(b) Taking pictures at the top
(c) Carrying a heavy backpack
(d) Walking on flat ground

Ans: (a) The physical conquest

11. What kind of experience is climbing a mountain?
(a) Only physical
(b) Only emotional
(c) Physical, emotional, and spiritual
(d) Just for fun

Ans: (c) Physical, emotional, and spiritual

12. What helps climbers support each other while climbing?
(a) Rope and teamwork
(b) Walking alone
(c) Ignoring each other
(d) Carrying heavy bags

Ans: (a) Rope and teamwork

13. What does “ascent” mean?
(a) Going down
(b) Climbing up
(c) Walking on a flat path
(d) Staying in one place

Ans: (b) Climbing up

14. What do the surrounding peaks look like from the summit?
(a) A big forest
(b) A jewelled necklace
(c) A river flowing
(d) A flat road

Ans: (b) A jewelled necklace

15. How do the peaks appear through the clouds?
(a) Golden and shiny
(b) Dark and scary
(c) Silvery and bright
(d) Green and grassy

Ans: (c) Silvery and bright

16. What can you see below from the mountaintop?
(a) Tall buildings
(b) Vast valleys
(c) Endless ocean
(d) Thick jungle

Ans: (b) Vast valleys

17. What is a cairn?
(a) A flagpole
(b) A pile of rocks and stones
(c) A tent for climbers
(d) A climbing tool

Ans: (b) A pile of rocks and stones

18. What religious item did Phu Dorji leave on Everest?
(a) A relic of Buddha
(b) A statue
(c) A torch
(d) A flower

Ans: (a) A relic of Buddha

19. Why must a person climb their inner mountain?
(a) To win a prize
(b) To become famous
(c) To prove they are the best
(d) To gain knowledge

Ans: (d) To gain knowledge

20. What did climbing Everest teach the author?
(a) How to face life’s problems bravely
(b) How to climb mountains
(c) How to travel the world
(d) How to become famous

Ans: (a) How to face life’s problems bravely

Fill in the blanks

1. _____________ is the tallest mountain in the world. (Mount Everest)
2. Many climbers leave ____________ of their faith on the summit. (Symbols)
3. The climbers bowed down to show _____________ to God. (Respect)
4. The internal summit is harder to climb than the ___________ summit. (Physical)
5. The climbers helped each other with ropes and ___________. (Teamwork)
6. __________ is an important quality needed to climb mountains. (Patience)
7. Climbers use __________ to help them climb safely. (Ropes)
8. Climbing a mountain requires a lot of ____________. (Strength)
9. Some climbers leave _____________ as a symbol of respect. (Pictures or religious items)
10. Climbing mountains teaches us ______________ and hard work. (Determination)

True or false

1. The weather on Mount Everest is always warm. (False)

2. The author left a picture of Guru Nanak on Everest. (True)

3. The author compared climbing a mountain to overcoming challenges in life. (True)

4. Mountains are a means of feeling close to nature and God. (True)

5. A climber does not need teamwork to reach the top. (False)

6. The journey to the top of Everest is very dangerous. (True)

7. Only one person has ever climbed Mount Everest. (False)

8. The climb to Everest is a battle against ice, wind, and height. (True)

9. Climbing a mountain is only a physical challenge, not a mental one. (False)

10. The beauty of the mountains makes them challenging to climb. (True)

Match the following

Column A	Column B
(i) Picture of Guru Nanak	a) Left by Edmund Hillary
(ii) Picture of Goddess Durga	b) Difficult experiences
(iii) A relic of the Buddha	c) A heap of rocks and stones
(iv) A cross	d) Climb
(v) Cairn	e) Left by Rawat
(vi) Ordeals	f) Spiritual or beyond ordinary
(vii) Ascent	g) Left by Phu Dorji
(viii) Mystical	h) Left by the author

Ans:

Column A	Column B
(i) Picture of Guru Nanak	h) Left by the author
(ii) Picture of Goddess Durga	e) Left by Rawat
(iii) A relic of the Buddha	g) Left by Phu Dorji
(iv) A cross	a) Left by Edmund Hillary
(v) Cairn	c) A heap of rocks and stones
(vi) Ordeals	b) Difficult experiences
(vii) Ascent	d) Climb
(viii) Mystical	f) Spiritual or beyond ordinary

Short-type questions & answers

1. How did the climbers feel after reaching the top of Everest?
Ans: The author felt very proud and happy that they had completed the hardest task. They were thankful that God and nature had kept them safe during their journey to the top.

2. Why did the author bow his head upon reaching the summit?
Ans: The author bowed his head to show respect to God. He also thanked Him for the beauty of the mountains.

3. Why couldn’t the climbers return using the same path they took to climb up?
Ans: The climbers could not go back the same way because the path was too steep and risky so it was unsafe for them to use.

4. Why did the author leave a symbol on Everest?
Ans: The author left a picture of Guru Nanak on Everest to show respect. Other climbers also placed religious items like a cross, a relic of the Buddha, and a picture of Goddess Durga. These items were left to thank God for keeping them safe and helping them reach the top of the mountain.

5. Why was the author emotional after reaching the top?
Ans: The author felt proud, happy, and emotional after reaching the top because he did something very difficult. He also realized how small people are compared to the huge mountains.

6. What did the author think when he saw the peak of Everest?
Ans: The author saw the silvery peak of Everest and felt very excited and amazed. The mountain looked huge, strong, and beautiful. Clouds were around the top, making it look even more special. It was an unforgettable sight that made him feel proud and surprised.

7. Why do climbers use a rope while climbing?
Ans: Climbers use a rope to stay safe. It helps them hold on tightly and stay connected to each other helping to keep them from falling on steep slopes.

8. Why is the inner mountain difficult to climb?
Ans: The inner mountain represents a person’s inner struggles such as fear, doubt, and personal challenges. Climbing it means overcoming these difficulties with courage, patience, and self-belief

9. How does climbing the “inner mountain” help people?
Ans: Climbing the inner mountain helps people become brave and strong. It teaches them how to deal with challenges, stay strong, and never give up in real life.

10. How does climbing Everest change a person?
Ans: Climbing Everest helps people become smarter, stronger, and more respectful. It teaches them the value of life, how to be kind to nature, and the importance of working hard to reach their goals.

Long-type questions & answers

1. What are the different obstacles a mountaineer faces while climbing?
Ans: Mountain climbers face many challenges, such as cold weather with strong winds and heavy snowfall, which make it hard to move forward. At high altitudes, the air is thin, and there is less oxygen, making it difficult to breathe and causing weakness and dizziness. Ice and rocks make the path slippery, so climbers must be very careful not to fall. They need to be both mentally and physically strong. Some days, they may feel scared, tired, and want to give up, but they must keep going and stay motivated. Climbers also need to work together, as they rely on each other for help and support.

2. “The Summit Within” is the title, correct for the story?
Ans: Yes, “The Summit Within” is a great title for this story because it is not just about climbing Everest; it’s also about growing stronger on the inside and becoming a better person. Climbing a real mountain is difficult, but the author compares this to facing the challenges and fears inside us. Everyone has personal struggles, doubts, and fears they need to overcome. The author believes that reaching the top of a mountain is not the most important part. What truly matters is overcoming our own weaknesses and fears. The title connects climbing a mountain with the personal journey we all go through in life.

3. What was the experience shared by the author in this story?
Ans: The author, Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, shares his experience of climbing Mount Everest and the valuable lessons he learned from it. He describes the challenges he faced, such as the extreme cold, the thin air, and the steep, dangerous paths. Despite these difficulties, he felt joy, humility, and gratitude when he reached the top. He realized that climbing is not just about reaching the peak but also about discovering yourself along the way. He talks about an “inner summit,” meaning that, just like climbing a mountain requires strength and determination, overcoming life’s challenges requires courage and patience.

4. Why was the author said to have climbing experience to help in life’s ordeals?
Ans: The author believes that climbing a mountain teaches important lessons that help with problems in life. Climbing a mountain requires strength, patience, and courage, qualities that are also needed to face challenges in life. Reaching the top takes time and effort, just as overcoming difficulties in life does. Mountain climbers don’t give up, even when things are tough, and the same approach should be taken when life gets hard. Climbing also helps one learn how to solve problems. As the author says, climbing a mountain teaches lessons that make a person stronger and more confident when facing challenges in life.