NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within are provided below. These solutions contain answers to all the textbook questions. All the questions are solved by experts with a detailed explanation that help students to complete their assignments and homework. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 The Summit Within are prepared as per the latest CBSE syllabus and curriculum. Students of Class 8th can study the answers provided here to score well in their school exams.
The Summit Within Class 8 NCERT Questions and Answers
Textbook Questions
Comprehension Check (Page 79)
Question 1: Standing on Everest, the writer was
(i) overjoyed
(ii) very sad.
(iii) jubilant and sad.
Choose the right item.
Answer: (iii) jubilant and sad.
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.
Answer: (ii) humility and a sense of smallness.
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.
Answer: (i), (iii), (iv) and (v) are not relevant.
Working with the Text
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 played a major role in the author’s climb are endurance, persistence and will power.
(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?
Answer: Mountain climbing is a great adventure but is also risky. It is a great challenge and a doing challenging job is in itself pleasurable. It gives immense joy to the doers.
(iii) What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?
Answer: Everest drew him towards itself by its beauty, aloofness, might, ruggedness and the difficulties encountered on the way. That is why he found it irresistible.
(iv) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Answer: Conquering summit is a great physical achievement. But more than that, it gives the climber the emotional and spiritual satisfaction. It satisfies man’s eternal love 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: “He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe.” This awareness defines the emotion of humility.
(vi) What were the ‘symbols of reverence’ left by members of the team on Everest?
Answer: The author left on Mount Everest a picture of Guru Nanak. Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga. Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha and Edmund Hillary had buried a cross under a cairn (a heap of rocks and stones) in the snow. These were merely not symbols of conquest but of reverence.
(vii) What according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?
Answer: According to the writer, his experience as an Everester provided him with the inspiration to face life’s ordeals determinedly. It taught him that the conquest of the internal summit is as worthwhile as climbing the mountain. He also concluded that perhaps the internal summits are higher than Everest.
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) The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit is a test of endurance and will power. It is a challenge that is difficult to resist.
(iii) Everest is the highest and the mightiest and has defied many previous attempts.
(iv) When the summit is climbed, there is the joy of having done something, one has the feeling of victory and of happiness.
(v) Mountains are a means of communion with God.
Working with Language
Question 1: Look at the italicised phrases and their meanings given in brackets.
Mountains are nature at its best. (nature’s best form and appearance)
Your life is at risk. (in danger; you run the risk of losing your life.)
He was at his best/worst in thelast meeting. (it was his best/worst performance.)
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.
Answer:
(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.
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 ________________
Answer:
(i) endure endurance
(ii) persist persistence
(iii) signify significance
(iv) confide confidence
(v) maintain maintenance
(vi) abhor abhorrence
Question 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 |
Answer:
| 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.
(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.
Answer: (a) There were formidable obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.
(b) We have no means of finding out what happened there.
(c) Why he lives in a house remote from any town or village is more than I can tell.
(d) Overwhelmed by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
(e) The old castle stands in a dominant position above the sleepy town.
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 lives there, if you have the ability to feel it. Some composition may be read aloud to the entire class afterwards.
Answer: 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.