Solution of Chapter 8. Reach for the Top (NCERT - Beehive Book)

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (Para 1)

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (Para 2)

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (Para 3)

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (Para 4)

Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers)

Why did Santosh's parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (Para 4)

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (or about 30 words).

How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (or about 30 words).

What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh's concern for her team-mates?

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (or about 30 words).

What shows her concern for the environment?

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (or about 30 words).

How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (or about 30 words).

Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest. What were the reasons for this?

Complete the following statements:

(1) From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to-------------

(2) When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because----

(3) During the Everest expedition her seniors in the team admired---------- while----------endeared her to fellow climbers.

Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)

(1) Took to be true without proof (Para 1): ---------------------------------------

(2) Based on reason; sensible; reasonable (Para 2) -----------------------------------

(3) The usual way of doing things (Para 3):---------------------------------------

(4) A strong desire arising from within (Para 5):-------------------------------

(5) The power to endure, without falling ill (Para 7): --------------------------------

Working in small groups of 4-5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Look at the following sentences. They each have two clauses, or two parts each with their own subject and verb or verb phrase. Often, one part (italicized) tells us when or why something happened.

(i) I reached the market when most of the shops had closed. (Tells us when I reached).

(ii)When Rahul Dravid walked back towards the pavilion, everyone stood up. (Tells us when everyone stood up.)

(iii) The telephone rang and Ganga picked it up. (Tells us what happened next.)

(iv) Gunjan has been with us ever since the school began. (Tells us for how long he has been with us.)

Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets, as shown above.

(1) Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. (Contrasts her dress with that of others)

(2) She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. (Tells us what happened after the first action.)

(3) She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived. (Tells us when she was going to fight the system.)

(4) Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the US.)

Now re-write the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.

(1) Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then.

(2) What do you do after you finish the book? Perhaps you just throw it away.
(3) He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart.

(4) You have nothing. That makes you very determined.

(5) I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted.

Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975. Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top. Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.

Top ranked women players:

The roll of honor of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody's favorite player, Chris Evert took her place in 1975.

Which of these words would you use to describe Santosh Yadav? Find reasons in the text to support your choices, and write a couple of paragraphs describing Santosh's character.

Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth care”?

What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?

What finally kills the tree?

Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as Chief Guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfill their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. The following words and phrases may help you:

● self confident / confidence/ sure of yourself

● self assured / assurance / belief in yourself

● moral / boost morale / raise morale

● giving somebody a boost / fillip / lift

● demoralizing / unsure of yourself / insecure / lack confidence