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

1. Standing on Everest, the writer was 

(i) overjoyed. 

(ii) very sad. 

(iii) jubilant and sad. 

Choose the right item. 

Ans: He was overjoyed because he had reached the highest point in the world, but he was sad because he had had to descend to reach the real world. 

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. 

Ans: Anyone can be overwhelmed by the enormity of nature's creation and feel insignificant in its presence.

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. 

Ans: (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)

Working with Text 

1. Answer the following. 

(i) What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s climb? 

Ans: Endurance, persistence, and willpower are three attributes that aided the author's ascent. 

(ii) Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable? 

Ans: Adventure is dangerous, but it is also enjoyable. Despite the fact that it provides significant challenges, man enjoys overcoming such obstacles. Everest is the highest and mightiest mountain on the planet, and countless attempts have been made to climb it. When the author reaches the summit, he feels "exhilaration, the joy of having done something, the sense of a war fought and won." There is a sense of accomplishment and joy. The physical ascent of a mountain is simply one aspect of the accomplishment. It is followed by a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The experience is not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual in nature. 

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

Ans: Everest, one of the world's highest and mightiest mountains, lured him in with its beauty, aloofness, harshness, and the hardships encountered along the journey. Climbing it would need every ounce of one's energy due to the harsh struggle with rock and ice. Even if one's life is at stake, it cannot be abandoned halfway. The journey back is just as arduous as the journey forward. However, once the summit is reached, there is a sensation of exhilaration, the joy of having accomplished something, the sense of a war fought and won, a sense of victory and happiness. All of these factors contributed to his inability to reject it.

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

Ans: Climbing a mountain requires endurance, tenacity, and willpower. For a climber, demonstrating these physical abilities is exhilarating. The experience is not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual. It undoubtedly creates significant challenges. Man, on the other hand, enjoys conquering barriers. As a result, one does not climb a mountain solely for the sake of glory. It is truly for the satisfaction of having accomplished something, the sense of a struggle fought and won, a sense of victory and contentment. There is a sense of accomplishment, the fulfillment of a profound desire to climb above one's surroundings, the perennial love of adventure in man. 

(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? 

Ans: This awareness describes the emotion of humility. 

(vi) What were the “symbols of reverence” left by members of the team on Everest? 

Ans: The author left a picture of Guru Nanak on Everest; Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga; and Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha. Aside from these "symbols of reverence," there was also the cross buried by Edmund Hillary.

(vii) What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him? 

Ans: According to the author, his experience as an Everest climber inspired him to face life's challenges head on. It showed him that conquering the internal summit is just as important as climbing the mountain. He also believed that the interior summits could be higher than Everest.

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 ________.

Ans: 

(ii) Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles. The display of perseverance, resilience, and willpower in the face of enormous adversity is delightful. 

(iii) Mountains are nature at its best. The mountains' grandeur and majesty present a huge challenge to climbers and serve as a method of communication with God. 

(iv) The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying. Climbing the mountains was arduous, but reaching the summit provides a sense of accomplishment and contentment. 

(v) The physical conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience. The physical act of ascending to the summit of a mountain is akin to the spiritual and immensely fulfilling experience of climbing the mountain within yourself, and any climb will undoubtedly transform you, giving you a sense of being in touch with God.

Working with Language

1. Fill in the blanks in the following dialogues choosing suitable phrases from those given in the box.

(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 have never heard before. 

(v) Shieba: Your big moment is close ________. 

Jyoti: How should I welcome it? 

Shieba: Get up and receive the trophy.

Ans: 

(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 such a low ebb today? (Use such in the phrase) Ashok: I have to write ten sentences using words that I have 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.

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 ________

Ans: 

(i) endure: endurance 

(ii) persist: persistence 

(iii) signify: significance 

(iv) confide: confidence 

(v) maintain: maintenance 

(vi) abhor: abhorrence

3. (i) Match words under A with their meanings under B.

(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.

Ans: (i)

(ii) 

(a) formidable  

(b) Means

(c) Remote

(d) Overwhelmed

(e) Dominant

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Ch 5 - The Summit Within

• These solutions provides comprehensive explanations of Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia's experiences and the various emotions he encountered while climbing Mount Everest, helping students understand the depth of his journey.

• Class 8 English Lesson 5 Question Answer offer insights into the deeper meanings behind Ahluwalia's reflections on the inner summit, encouraging students to analyse and interpret the significance of self-discovery and inner strength.

• By studying The Summit Within Question Answers, students can improve their vocabulary with specific terms and phrases related to mountaineering and emotional introspection, enhancing their language skills.

• It aligns with the exam format and include important questions and answers that are likely to appear in exams.

• These Questions and Answers highlights the moral and philosophical lessons from the chapter, such as the importance of endurance, persistence, willpower, and companionship, helping students apply these values in their own lives.

• Chapter 5 solutions present the content in a structured manner, breaking down complex ideas into manageable parts, making it easier for students to grasp and retain key concepts.

• Class 8 English chapter 5 question answer serves as a supportive resource for teachers and parents to guide students through the chapter.

• By studying Major Ahluwalia's story in Class 8 English Ch 5, students can find inspiration and motivation to face their challenges, both academic and personal, with determination and resilience.

Conclusion

Class 8 English Chapter The Summit Within shows the sheer determination and willpower shown by Major Ahluwalia in climbing the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. Ahluwalia however, tells us that the tallest and most difficult summit to conquer lies within our minds, and comes by facing challenges and difficulties in our lives. It is truly an eye-opening chapter and is set to ignite a fire within the minds of the readers. You can find complete comprehensive NCERT Solutions to The Summit Within Question Answers here on Vedantu, which are compiled by top master teachers so that you can be sure about their accuracy and storm into the exam hall with utmost confidence.

Other Study Material for CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew

Book-wise Links for CBSE Class 8 English NCERT Solutions

Important Related Links for CBSE Class 8 English