The Summit Within Summary & Solution - CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 

CBSE Class 8 English The Summit Within Summary

Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, the narrator of The Summit Within, shares his thoughts and feelings after scaling the formidable Mount Everest and reaching its summit. In 1965, he was a part of the first Indian expedition to summit Everest that was successful. Despite his exhaustion upon reaching the summit of Everest, he expressed gratitude and humility for having successfully ascended the world's tallest peak. This chapter recounts Major Ahluwalia's memories of a trip during which he felt a range of emotions, including delight, happiness, and melancholy. He also expressed gratitude to God for his success. Concurrently, he came to understand that reaching one's inner peak held greater significance than ascending a mountain.

Major Ahluwalia believed that while scaling the world's tallest mountain, it was as crucial to reach the pinnacle of one's own mind. He noted that in order to reach the top, one needs three qualities: willpower, endurance, and tenacity. These attributes aid an individual in overcoming obstacles in his life. These attributes are essential for someone to have in order to appreciate life and courageously face any challenges that may arise.

When asked why he decided to climb Everest, Major Ahluwalia said that he was a mountain lover. Being the tallest and most powerful mountain in the world, climbing it continuously presents a challenge to all climbers. He went on to say that he was constantly driven to take on new tasks and find ways around barriers. In addition, the thrill of conquering Mount Everest is indescribable as so few individuals can really pull off the feat. Most significantly, he said that ascending the formidable Mount Everest had been an emotional and spiritual experience for him in addition to a physical accomplishment. His successful ascent of the peak gave him notoriety and a feeling of accomplishment.

Major Ahluwalia said that he learned a valuable lesson in camaraderie from reaching the top. Sharing a rope and other supplies while ascending the mountain causes two or more persons to become closer to one another. As one climber ascends the mountain, the other tightly grips the rope, and a third climber breaks through the solid ice to get access. The message that Major Ahluwalia wished to get across was that it is not an easy feat for one individual to climb the mountain by themselves. Climbers require their partners' emotional support in addition to their physical assistance.

In addition, Major Ahluwalia said that all of the climbers felt humbled and bowed down to God for letting them realise their ambition as he reached the summit of Mount Everest. Major Ahluwalia left behind the image of Guru Nanak, Rawat left behind the image of Goddess Durga, Phu Dorji left behind a fragment of Lord Buddha, and Edmund Hillary buried a cross beneath the mound of snow and stones at the foot of Mount Everest.

Major Ahluwalia stressed in his final remarks that each person must reach the inner peak inside itself since doing so will alter them. He went on to say that reaching the inner top of one's own mind could be more difficult than reaching Mount Everest's outermost peak. It is really fulfilling and well worth the work.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within

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:

(iii) jubilant and sad.

(ii) humility and a sense of smallness.

(vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself.

Working With the Text (Page 81)

Question 1:

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:

Although it's a fantastic adventure, mountain climbing is dangerous. It's a fantastic challenge, and taking on difficult tasks is enjoyable in and of itself. The doers experience great delight from it.

(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?

Answer:

The author was drawn to Mount Everest since it is the tallest, strongest, and has resisted several efforts to climb it. It consumes every last bit of energy.

(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?

Answer:

Reaching the peak is a fantastic physical accomplishment. Furthermore, it provides the climber with a sense of emotional and spiritual fulfilment. It fulfils man's enduring desire 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 a photograph of Guru Nanak on Mount Everest. A image of Goddess Durga was left by Rawat. A Buddha relic was left by Phu Durgi. Being a devout Christian, Edmund Hillary buried a cross beneath the stone. These were all gestures of deference to 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.

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

_________________________________________________

Answer:

(ii) Climbing a mountain has physical challenges. A summit ascent is an endurance and willpower challenge. It's difficult to say no to this challenge.

(iii) Everest is the tallest, strongest mountain, and it has resisted several earlier assaults.

(iv) Upon reaching the peak, one experiences happiness and a sense of accomplishment for having accomplished something.

(v) You can communicate with God through the mountains.

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

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?

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.

Mary: Almost every Indian film has an episode of love________________________ .

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

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.

Your big moment is close______________________ .

Jyoti: How should I welcome it?

Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.

Answer:

• at once
• at all
• at first sight
• at such a low ebb
• at hand.

Question 2:

Write the noun forms of the following words adding -ance or -ence to each.

• endure ______________________
• persist_____________
• signify____________________
• confide___________
• maintain ___________________
• abhor_____________

Answer:

• endurance
• persistence
• significance
• confidence
• maintenance
• abhorrence.

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.

There were ___________________ obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.

We have no __________________ of finding out what happened there.

Why he lives in a house ______________________ from any town or village is more than I can tell.

__________________ by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.

The old castle stands in a _______________________ position above the sleepy town.

Answer:

• formidable
• means
• remote
• Overwhelmed
• 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:

For self attempt