Conquering the Summit — NCERT Solutions

In order to fulfill her ambition of conquering Mount Everest, Arunima took the following steps:

1. Set a clear goal: After her tragic accident in which she lost her leg, Arunima made a firm vow to climb Mount Everest, turning her pain into purpose.
2. Got a prosthetic leg: She adapted to life with an artificial leg and did not let her physical disability become a barrier to her dreams.
3. Sought expert guidance: She trained under the legendary mountaineer Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest, who provided her with rigorous physical training and emotional support.
4. Trained rigorously: She underwent intense and demanding physical training to prepare her body for the extreme conditions of high-altitude mountaineering.
5. Maintained a positive mindset: She kept her goal firmly in mind, never giving up despite the enormous challenges she faced.
6. Persevered through 52 exhausting days: She endured 52 gruelling days of climbing before finally reaching the summit on 21 May 2013.

Her journey is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and an unwavering belief in one's goals.

The statement that 'Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience' is strongly supported by the following evidence from the text:

1. Overcoming a devastating accident: Arunima suffered a horrific accident when she was pushed from a moving train by thieves. She lost her leg as a result. Despite this life-altering tragedy, she did not give up on life or her dreams. This shows her resilience.

2. Setting an extraordinary goal: Instead of being defeated by her disability, she made a vow to climb Mount Everest — the highest peak in the world — with a prosthetic leg. This gives hope to millions that no obstacle is insurmountable.

3. Achieving her goal: On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, she reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the first female amputee to do so. This achievement is a beacon of hope for people with disabilities worldwide.

4. Her inspiring message: Her words — 'Never give up and work hard. Always remember your goal and work on it' — inspire people facing difficulties to keep striving.

5. Recognition: She was conferred an honorary doctorate, showing that her resilience and achievements are recognised and celebrated globally.

Thus, Arunima's life and achievements make her a true beacon of hope and resilience.

The title Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back is highly appropriate for Arunima's autobiography for the following reasons:

1. 'Born Again on the Mountain': This phrase suggests a new beginning. When Arunima reached the summit of Mount Everest, it was not just a physical achievement — it was a rebirth of her spirit, confidence, and identity. She had been broken by her accident, but the mountain gave her a new life and a new sense of self. Just as a person is 'born' into the world, Arunima was 'born again' as a stronger, more determined individual through her mountaineering journey.

2. 'A Story of Losing Everything': Arunima literally lost her leg in the accident. She also lost her sense of security, her physical wholeness, and perhaps her confidence for a time. The phrase captures the depth of her loss.

3. 'Finding It Back': Through sheer determination, hard work, and the support of mentors like Bachendri Pal, Arunima found back not just her confidence and purpose, but also her identity and self-worth. She found something even greater — a place in history as the first female amputee to climb Everest.

The title beautifully captures the arc of Arunima's journey from tragedy to triumph, making it a perfect and deeply meaningful title for her autobiography.

Arunima's statement — 'Failure is when we don't have goals worthy enough' — would have a profound and positive impact on readers in the following ways:

1. Redefining failure: Most people think of failure as not achieving a goal. Arunima's statement challenges this idea by suggesting that the real failure is not having a meaningful goal in the first place. This would make readers rethink their understanding of success and failure.

2. Encouraging bigger dreams: Readers would be inspired to set higher, more meaningful goals for themselves rather than settling for easy or small ambitions.

3. Reducing fear of failure: By shifting the definition of failure, Arunima's words would reduce the fear of not succeeding. Readers would understand that attempting a worthy goal — even if they fall short — is not failure.

4. Motivating action: The statement would push readers to identify goals that truly matter to them and work hard towards achieving them.

5. Building resilience: Readers would be encouraged to view setbacks as part of the journey rather than as the end, fostering a more resilient and positive mindset.

In summary, this statement would inspire readers to dream bigger, work harder, and face challenges with courage and determination.

The correct matching of the underlined phrases with their meanings is as follows:

The completed table is as follows:

Explanation:

• relief → relieved (adj.): 'Relieved' describes the feeling of being free from anxiety or distress. 'Relieve' is the verb form.
• inspiration (noun): The noun form corresponding to the adjective 'inspiring' and verb 'inspire'.
• inspiringly (adverb): Formed by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'inspiring'.
• resistance → resistant (adj.): 'Resistant' means showing resistance or opposition. 'Resist' is the verb form.
• success → succeed (verb): The verb form of the noun 'success'. The adverb form is 'successfully'.

Concept: 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before nouns mentioned for the first time or in a general sense. 'The' is the definite article used before specific or previously mentioned nouns. 'X' (no article) is used before uncountable nouns used in a general sense.

The filled passage is:

We planned (i) an adventurous trip to (ii) a remote island. (iii) The island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) x diverse wildlife. On (v) the first day, we set out to explore (vi) the island's dense jungle. (vii) A guide led us through (viii) the thick foliage and showed us (ix) a hidden waterfall. In (x) the evening, we gathered around (xi) a campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) the meal we cooked. (xiii) The experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) a connection with (xv) x nature.

Explanations:

• (i) an — 'adventurous' begins with a vowel sound /æ/, so 'an' is used.
• (ii) a — 'remote island' is mentioned for the first time; 'remote' begins with a consonant sound.
• (iii) the — the island has already been mentioned, so the definite article is used.
• (iv) x — 'diverse wildlife' is used in a general sense; no article needed.
• (v) the — 'first day' refers to a specific day.
• (vi) the — refers to the specific island already mentioned.
• (vii) a — 'guide' is mentioned for the first time.
• (viii) the — refers to the specific foliage of that jungle.
• (ix) a — 'hidden waterfall' is mentioned for the first time.
• (x) the — 'evening' refers to the specific evening of that day.
• (xi) a — 'campfire' is mentioned for the first time.
• (xii) the — refers to the specific meal they cooked.
• (xiii) The — refers to the specific experience just described.
• (xiv) a — 'connection' is used in a general, indefinite sense.
• (xv) x — 'nature' is used as an uncountable noun in a general sense; no article needed.

Concept: The choice of article depends on the sound of the word that follows. 'An' is used before vowel sounds; 'a' before consonant sounds. 'The' is used before specific, unique, or superlative nouns. No article is used before proper nouns used generally, but 'the' is used before names of rivers, mountain ranges, and unique things.

(i) Error: 'a hour' → Correction: 'an hour'
Reason: The word 'hour' begins with a silent 'h', so the first sound is a vowel sound /aʊ/. Therefore, 'an' must be used.
✅ We waited for an hour before the bus finally arrived.

(ii) Error: 'an uniform' → Correction: 'a uniform'
Reason: The word 'uniform' begins with the letter 'u' but the first sound is a consonant sound /juː/ (like 'you'). Therefore, 'a' must be used.
✅ The guide insisted on a uniform jacket for the group's safety during the trek.

(iii) Error: 'a second highest' → Correction: 'the second highest'
Reason: Superlative expressions (second highest, tallest, best, etc.) always take the definite article 'the'.
✅ Mount K2 is the second highest peak in the world.

(iv) Error: 'A Ganga' → Correction: 'The Ganga'
Reason: Names of rivers always take the definite article 'the' (e.g., the Ganga, the Nile, the Amazon).
✅ The Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance.

(v) Error: 'a brave' → Correction: 'the brave'
Reason: When an adjective is used as a noun to refer to a group of people (e.g., the brave, the poor, the rich), the definite article 'the' is used.
✅ Challenges are faced with courage and determination by the brave.

(vi) Error: 'A North Star' → Correction: 'The North Star'
Reason: 'The North Star' is a unique, specific celestial object. Unique or one-of-a-kind nouns take the definite article 'the'.
✅ The North Star has guided travellers for centuries.

Note: This is a listening activity. The transcript is available for the teacher on page 177 of the textbook. Students must listen to the audio carefully and then match each statement with the correct speaker.

Instructions for students:

• Listen to each speaker attentively.
• Note the key points each speaker makes.
• Match the statement that best describes what each speaker says.
• Remember: three statements are extra and will not be matched to any speaker.

Sample/Expected Answers (based on typical listening activity patterns for this chapter):

(Note: The exact answers depend on the audio transcript. Students should refer to the transcript on page 177 and match accordingly after listening.)

Note: This is a speaking activity to be done in groups of four. Below are sample speeches for each role to guide students.

Role 1 — School Student:
'In my opinion, Physical Education should definitely be included in school activities. One reason for this is that it keeps us physically fit and healthy. I believe that sports and physical activities also help us build confidence and learn teamwork. From my point of view, sitting in classrooms all day is tiring, and PE gives us a fun and enjoyable break. I agree with the idea that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.'

Role 2 — Parent:
'From my point of view, I support my child participating in Physical Education activities. I believe that sports teach children discipline, perseverance, and how to overcome fear. However, I do have some concern about safety. I find it hard to agree with activities that involve unnecessary risks without proper precautions. I support this perspective because I want my child to have unique experiences while staying safe.'

Role 3 — Physical Education Teacher:
'In my opinion, Physical Education is one of the most valuable parts of a student's education. I believe that sports build confidence, improve health, and teach students to work as a team. From my point of view, the skills learned on the sports field — like perseverance and leadership — are just as important as academic skills. I agree with the idea that every student should have the opportunity to participate and explore their physical potential.'

Role 4 — Sports Camp Organiser:
'I believe that sports camps are extremely beneficial for young participants. We ensure safety by taking all necessary precautions — trained coaches, proper equipment, and supervised activities. From my point of view, adventure sports help young people overcome fear and build resilience. I disagree with the notion that sports are too risky; with the right training and supervision, they are safe, thrilling, and enjoyable. I invite everyone to participate and have unique experiences.'

The components of the formal letter are identified as follows:

Sample Formal Letter:

[Your Name]
[Your Class and Section]
[Name of Your School]
[City, State – PIN Code]

Date: [DD Month YYYY]

The Principal
[Name of Your School]
[City, State – PIN Code]

Subject: Request to organise an excursion to a nearby hill station for Grade 7 students

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am [Your Name], a student of Grade 7-[Section]. I am writing this letter on behalf of the students of Grade 7 to make a humble request.

We would be very grateful if the school could organise an educational excursion to a nearby hill station for the students of Grade 7. Such a trip would give us the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of our surroundings, learn about the local geography and ecology, and experience the joy of being in nature. It would also provide a welcome break from our regular academic routine and help us bond with our classmates and teachers.

We assure you that we will follow all the rules and guidelines set by the school during the excursion. We request you to kindly consider our appeal and make the necessary arrangements at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
Grade 7-[Section]
[Roll Number]

Key components used:

• Sender's Address
• Date
• Receiver's Address
• Subject
• Salutation
• Introduction
• Body (reason for writing / statement of request)
• Expression of interest and assurance
• Complimentary close
• Signature line

The completed table is as follows:

Note: This is a project/research activity. Students should research and prepare their own booklets. Below are fact sheets for five famous Indian mountaineers to guide students.

FACT SHEET 1

• Name: Bachendri Pal
• Place of Birth: Nakuri, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
• Profession: Mountaineer, Trainer at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation
• Training Received: Trained at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi
• Sport Known For: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First Indian woman to climb Mount Everest (23 May 1984); Padma Shri (1984); Padma Bhushan (2019); Arjuna Award

FACT SHEET 2

• Name: Arunima Sinha
• Place of Birth: Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
• Profession: Mountaineer, Social Activist
• Training Received: Trained under Bachendri Pal at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation
• Sport Known For: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First female amputee to climb Mount Everest (21 May 2013); Padma Shri (2015); Honorary Doctorate from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

FACT SHEET 3

• Name: Tenzing Norgay
• Place of Birth: Tengboche, Nepal (considered an Indian mountaineer as he lived in Darjeeling)
• Profession: Mountaineer, Sherpa
• Training Received: Self-trained through years of experience as a high-altitude porter and guide
• Sport Known For: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First person (along with Sir Edmund Hillary) to reach the summit of Mount Everest (29 May 1953); Padma Bhushan; George Medal (UK)

FACT SHEET 4

• Name: Santosh Yadav
• Place of Birth: Joniyawas, Rewari, Haryana
• Profession: Mountaineer, Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer
• Training Received: Trained at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi
• Sport Known For: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice (1992 and 1993); Padma Shri; Arjuna Award

FACT SHEET 5

• Name: Malli Mastan Babu
• Place of Birth: Bhavani, Andhra Pradesh
• Profession: Civil Engineer, Mountaineer
• Training Received: Self-trained; attended mountaineering courses
• Sport Known For: Mountaineering (Seven Summits)
• Accomplishments: First Indian to climb the Seven Summits (highest peaks on all seven continents) in record time; Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Students should add photographs (if available), present the fact sheets neatly, and compile them into a booklet.