NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within.
| Board | CBSE |
| Textbook | NCERT |
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | English |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
| Chapter Name | The Summit Within |
| Category | NCERT Solutions |
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within
IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow choosing the correct options among the given ones :
I. 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. (Page 76)
Multiple Choice Questions
1. ‘You’ in the passage can be replaced by
(a) the author
(b) the climber
(c) the reader
(d) Rawat.
2. The climber is full of thankfulness to
(a) God
(b) friends
(c) Mountain
(d) other climbers.
3. The change which comes makes the man
(a) proud
(b)happy
(c) humble
(d) courageous.
Answers
1. (b) the climber
2. (a) God
3. (c) humble
II. The demonstration of these physical qualities is no doubt exhilarating, as it was for me also. (Page 77)
Questions
1. Which physical qualities is the author talking of ?
2. In which way are the qualities demonstrated ?
3. Name the author of these lines.
Answers
1. The author is referring to the physical qualities of persistence, humility and endurance.
2. These qualities are demonstrated in climbing of the mountain.
3. The author is H.P.S. Ahluwalia.
III. 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. (Page 78)
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a typical climb, the rope is shared so that
(a) the rope is cut into two
(b) the climbers hold the rope together
(c) the two hold one end of the rope each
(d) they throw the rope with force.
2. “You firm in.” means that
(a) you are resolved
(b) you put your feet firmly on the ground
(c) you improve yourself
(d) you become strong.
3. “He cuts the steps….,” means
(a) he cuts his feet
(b) he prevents others from walking
(c) he cuts the ice to make foot-holds
(d) he lifts his feet high.
Answers
1. (c) the two hold one end of the rope each
2. (b) you put your feet firmly on the ground
3. (c) he cuts the ice to make foot-holds
IV. There is another summit. It is within yourself. It is in your own mind. Each man carries within himself his own mountain peak. (Page 79)
Questions
1. Where is this ‘another summit’ ?
2. What is meant by the ‘peak’ within ?
3. What happens when one is able to climb this peak ?
Answers
1. This ‘another summit’ is within our mind.
2. The ‘peak’ within refers to the spiritual heights.
3. When one reaches this peak, one gets a fuller knowledge of oneself.
TEXTUAL EXERCISES
COMPREHENSION CHECK (Page 80)
1. Standing on Everest, the writer was
(i) overjoyed.
(ii) very sad.
(iii) jubilant and sad.
Choose the right item.
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.
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. (iv) living in the world of thought and imagination.
WORKING WITH THE TEXT (Page 81)
1. Answer the following questions :
Question (i)
What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb ?
Answer:
The three qualities played a major role in the author’s climb. They are : endurance, persistence and will-power.
Question (ii)
Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable ?
Answer:
A risky adventure presents great difficulties. It is human nature to feel pleasure in overcoming difficulties. That is why an adventure which is risky is also pleasurable.
Question (iii)
What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible ?
Answer:
Mount Everest offers great challenges to a climber. The call to face these challenges is the thing which was irresistible.
Question (iv)
One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame ‘alone. What does one do it for, really ?
Answer:
One climbs a mountain not for fame alone. There is a sense of fulfilment. The desire to rise above one’s surroundings is satisfied. It is the eternal love of adventure in man. The experience is really emotional and spiritual.
Question (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:
The emotion is of humility.
Question (vi)
What were the “symbols of reverence” left by members of the team on Everest ?
Answer:
Ahluwalia left on 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 the cairn. All of these were symbols of reverence, not of conquest.
Question (vii)
What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him ?
Answer:
The writer Ahluwalia’s experience as an Everester taught him many things. First among them was humility. It also taught him to face life’s ordeal resolutely. It was an ennobling experience.
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.
(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.
_____________________________
Answers
(ii) It is a pleasure to face challenges successfully.
(iii) Nature’s beauty can be best seen in the mountains.
(iv) Climbing the mountains was a worthwhile experience.
(v) The physical act of climbing the summit of a mountain is akin to the act of climbing the mountains within.
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.)
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
(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.
Answers
The phrase to be filled are given against the sentence numbers.
(i) at once
(ii) at all
(iii) at first sight
(iv) at such a low ebb
(v) at hand
Question 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___
Answers
Question 3.
(i) Match words under A with their meanings under B.
(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.
Answers
The words to be filled in are given against sentence numbers,
(a) formidable
(b) means
(c) remote
(d) Overwhelmed
(e) 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.
- 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:
A Visit to the Hills
I have not been fortunate enough to climb high hills. However, last time when I was in Shimla, we went to Kufri. Even this was a great experience. We were completely tired when we reached the top. On the way I and my companions were filled with awe to see the majestic mountains. It brought us closer to nature. It seemed that nature has a spirit too. This spirit is filled with joy. Once on the top, we bowed our heads in thankfulness to God.
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