Thinking about the Text
I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.
Question 1.
Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)
Answer:
The ‘holy man’ was surprised because Santosh’s grandmother asked for blessings for a daughter, whereas most people usually ask for sons in their society.
Question 2.
Give an example to show that even as a young girl, Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)
Answer:
As a young girl, Santosh rejected the traditional dresses meant for girls and preferred to wear shorts instead.
Question 3.
Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)
Answer:
Santosh was sent to the local school because it aligned with the prevailing customs of her family at that time.
Question 4.
When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)
Answer:
Santosh left home for Delhi at the age of sixteen to pursue proper education.
Question 5.
Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are highlighted by this incident? (4)
Answer:
Santosh’s parents agreed to pay for her schooling after she told them she would work part-time to cover her school fees, showcasing her determination and resourcefulness.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph
Question 1.
How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?
Answer:
Santosh’s interest in climbing mountains sparked when she saw villagers disappearing up the hills. Curiosity led her to explore and later save money to join the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.
Question 2.
What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her teammates?
Answer:
During the 1992 Everest Mission, Santosh showed her concern by caring for a dying climber and selflessly sharing her oxygen with Mohan Singh, saving his life.
Question 3.
What shows her concern for the environment?
Answer:
Santosh’s environmental concern is evident when she collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas, demonstrating her commitment to preserving nature.
Question 4.
How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?
Answer:
At the summit, it took time for the enormity of the moment to sink in, and she felt immense joy as she proudly unfurled the Indian tricolor.
Question 5.
Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest. What were the reasons for this?
Answer:
Santosh is noted as the youngest woman to scale Everest and the only woman to have climbed it twice, marking significant achievements in mountaineering.
III. Complete the following statements:
From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to …
Answer:
… see the villagers going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while.
When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because …
Answer:
… she was going directly for training and not home, which she should have done.
During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her …
Answer:
… climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental strength while working together endeared her to fellow climbers.
IV. Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions.
Answers:
- took to be true without proof: blessing
- based on reason; sensible; reasonable: rational
- the usual way of doing things (para 3): custom
- a strong desire arising from within (5): urge
- the power to endure, without falling ill (7): resistance/endurance
Thinking about the text
Working in small groups of 4-5 students, complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.
| Points of Comparison/Contrast | Santosh Yadav | Maria Sharapova |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Their humble beginning | Santosh came from a modest background but was encouraged by her family. | Maria grew up in a small town and faced challenges in her training. |
| 2. Their parents’ approach | Her parents initially adhered to traditional roles but later supported her ambitions. | Maria’s father worked hard to support her tennis dreams, often sacrificing his own career. |
| 3. Their willpower and strong desire to succeed | Santosh displayed iron will and determination to break societal norms. | Maria exhibited a fierce determination to excel in tennis from a young age. |
| 4. Evidence of their mental toughness | Santosh’s perseverance in mountaineering showed her resilience. | Maria faced injuries but returned to the top, showcasing her mental strength. |
| 5. Their patriotism | Santosh felt immense pride in representing India on international platforms. | Maria expressed her love for Russia, emphasizing her national pride during competitions. |
Thinking about Language
I. Identify the two parts in the sentences below.
Question 1.
Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.
Answer:
Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.
Question 2.
She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.
Answer:
She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.
Question 3.
She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.
Answer:
She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.
Question 4.
Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.
Answer:
Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.
II. Now rewrite the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.
Question 1.
Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then.
Answer:
Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.
Question 2.
What do you do after you finish the book? Perhaps you just throw it away.
Answer:
Perhaps you just throw the book away after you finish reading it.
Question 3.
He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart.
Answer:
After giving the little girl an apple, he took the computer apart.
Question 4.
You have nothing. That makes you very determined.
Answer:
You have nothing, which makes you very determined.
Question 5.
I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted.
Answer:
I never thought of quitting as I knew what I wanted.
Dictation
Teacher’s Note:
Read the passage once. Then close your books. Your teacher will dictate the story to you. Write it down with the correct punctuation and paragraphing.
Speaking
Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav or Maria Sharapova. Prepare a short speech to motivate girls.
Answer:
Good Morning Everyone!
I am thrilled to see all of you here today. Remember, your journey to success is fueled by hard work, self-confidence, and unwavering determination. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow stronger. Believe in yourselves and dream big! Those who are dedicated and disciplined will achieve remarkable things. Stay focused and never let setbacks deter you. Let’s inspire each other and aim for greatness!
Thank you!
Writing
Question 1. Write a short article comparing and contrasting top women tennis players.
Answer:
Women Tennis Champions: A Comparison of Excellence
Since 1975, many exceptional women have graced the world of tennis, achieving remarkable success. Steffi Graf holds the record for the longest reign at number one, with an impressive 377 weeks, closely followed by Chris Evert at 362 weeks. Their sustained dominance reflects not only talent but also extraordinary mental and physical resilience.
Martina Navratilova, another legend, secured her position for 331 weeks, while Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport demonstrated their prowess with 57 and 82 weeks respectively. In contrast, Maria Sharapova, although talented, only held the top spot for one week, highlighting how challenging it is to maintain a lengthy tenure at the peak.
These champions exemplify qualities such as dedication, discipline, and perseverance, essential for success in competitive sports. Their journeys inspire aspiring athletes to strive for excellence and overcome obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.
Question 2. Describe Santosh Yadav’s character.
Answer:
Santosh Yadav is best described as determined, adventurous, and resourceful. Her refusal to conform to traditional gender norms demonstrates her strong-willed nature. She displayed remarkable physical endurance and mental toughness throughout her mountaineering journey, proving that she could overcome significant challenges.
Additionally, Santosh is considerate and environmentally conscious, as shown by her efforts to clean up the Himalayas. Her commitment to her goals and her passion for the environment reflect a
well-rounded character that inspires many.
We hope these NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8: Reach for the Top help you in your studies! If you have any queries, feel free to ask!
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