The Summit Within – Class 8 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “The Summit Within,” Class 8 English NCERT. This inspiring story by Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, a member of India’s first successful Mount Everest expedition, teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, humility, and self-discovery. The story shows that while climbing physical mountains is challenging, conquering our internal mountains – our fears, doubts, and limitations – is equally important. It encourages students to face life’s challenges with determination and reminds us that every achievement, whether physical or mental, leads to personal growth.

Summary in English

The story “The Summit Within” is a first-hand account by Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia about his experience of climbing Mount Everest in 1965. When he reached the summit, instead of just feeling jubilant, he felt a mix of joy and humility. The magnificent view from the top made him realize how small humans are in comparison to nature. The author explains that climbing mountains isn’t just about physical achievement – it also leads to emotional and spiritual growth. He draws a parallel between climbing physical mountains and conquering the mountains within ourselves. Both journeys require endurance, willpower, and persistence. The author left a picture of Guru Nanak at the summit, while his teammates left other religious symbols, showing their reverence rather than conquest. He concludes that climbing Everest taught him to face life’s challenges with determination.

Summary in Hindi

कहानी “द समिट विदिन” मेजर एच.पी.एस. आहलूवालिया का 1965 में माउंट एवरेस्ट पर चढ़ने का प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव है। जब वे शिखर पर पहुंचे, तो केवल खुशी महसूस करने के बजाय, उन्होंने आनंद और विनम्रता का मिश्रण महसूस किया। ऊपर से का भव्य दृश्य देखकर उन्हें एहसास हुआ कि प्रकृति की तुलना में मनुष्य कितने छोटे हैं। लेखक बताते हैं कि पर्वतारोहण केवल शारीरिक उपलब्धि नहीं है – यह भावनात्मक और आध्यात्मिक विकास की ओर भी ले जाता है। वे भौतिक पर्वतों पर चढ़ने और अपने भीतर के पर्वतों को जीतने के बीच समानता बताते हैं। दोनों यात्राओं के लिए सहनशक्ति, इच्छाशक्ति और दृढ़ता की आवश्यकता होती है। लेखक ने शिखर पर गुरु नानक की तस्वीर छोड़ी, जबकि उनके साथी सदस्यों ने अन्य धार्मिक प्रतीक छोड़े, जो विजय के बजाय श्रद्धा को दर्शाता है। वे निष्कर्ष निकालते हैं कि एवरेस्ट पर चढ़ने से उन्हें जीवन की चुनौतियों का दृढ़ता से सामना करना सिखा।

Word Meanings

Comprehension Check

1. Standing on Everest, the writer was:

The writer experienced mixed emotions while standing on Everest. He felt both jubilant and sad (option iii). While there was immense joy in achieving this remarkable feat, a tinge of sadness crept in because he had reached the ultimate peak in mountaineering, and all paths ahead would lead downward. This mix of emotions shows how complex human feelings can be even in moments of great triumph.

2. The emotion that gripped him was one of:

The primary emotion that gripped the author was humility and a sense of smallness (option ii). Standing at the highest point on Earth, looking at the vast panorama below, he realized how small humans are compared to nature’s grandeur. This overwhelming feeling of humility is a common experience among mountaineers who reach great heights and witness the world’s vastness from above.

3. “The summit of the mind” refers to:

The correct interpretation refers to the process of maturing mentally and spiritually and gaining a fuller knowledge of oneself (options ii and vi). The author draws a parallel between climbing physical mountains and conquering internal challenges. Just as reaching Everest’s summit requires physical strength, reaching the “summit of the mind” requires emotional and spiritual growth, leading to better self-understanding.

Working with Text

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

The three essential qualities that played a crucial role in the author’s successful climb were:

• Endurance: The physical stamina to withstand the harsh conditions and lengthy climb
• Persistence: The determination to keep going despite obstacles and difficulties
• Willpower: The mental strength to push through exhaustion and self-doubt

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

Adventure is pleasurable despite its risks because:

• It gives humans the thrill of overcoming challenges
• There’s a deep satisfaction in pushing past one’s limitations
• The sense of achievement after completing a difficult task is uniquely rewarding
• It combines physical challenge with emotional and spiritual growth
• The experience creates lasting memories and changes one’s perspective on life

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

The author found several aspects of Mount Everest irresistible:

• Its status as the highest and mightiest mountain in the world
• The mountain’s natural beauty and majestic presence
• Its aloofness and the challenge it presented
• The raw struggle with rock and ice it demanded
• The fact that it required every ounce of one’s energy and determination
• The spiritual connection he felt with the mountain

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

People climb mountains for various deeper reasons beyond fame:

• Personal satisfaction and self-fulfillment
• The deep urge to rise above one’s surroundings
• Spiritual connection with nature
• The eternal human love for adventure
• The transformative experience it offers
• The sense of accomplishment and victory

(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?

The emotion referred to is humility. Standing at the summit of Everest, looking at the vast expanse below, the author realized how small humans are in comparison to the enormous universe. This awareness naturally led to a profound sense of humility, making him understand his place in the greater scheme of things.

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

Different team members left various religious symbols on Everest:

• The author left a picture of Guru Nanak
• Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga
• Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha
• Edmund Hillary had buried a cross under a cairn

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

His experience as an Everester taught him several valuable life lessons:

• The importance of facing life’s challenges resolutely
• Understanding that internal challenges can be as formidable as physical ones
• The value of perseverance and determination
• The transformative power of pushing beyond one’s comfort zone
• The significance of both physical and spiritual conquest

Working with Language

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

• endure → endurance
• persist → persistence
• signify → significance
• confide → confidence
• maintain → maintenance
• abhor → abhorrence

2. 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 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?
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.

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

3. (ii) Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with appropriate words from under A:

• There were formidable obstacles on the way, but we reached our destination safely.
• We have no means of finding out what happened there.
• Why he lives in a remote house from any town or village is more than I can tell.
• Overwhelmed by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.
• The old castle stands in a dominant position above the sleepy town.

Writing Task

Write a sentence against each of the following statements. Your sentence should explain the statement:

1. The experience changes you completely.
After climbing mountains, one gains a new perspective on life, understanding both their capabilities and limitations, making them more humble and resilient in facing life’s challenges.

2. Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles.
The satisfaction of conquering difficult challenges, whether physical or mental, brings a unique joy and sense of achievement that makes the struggle worthwhile.

3. Mountains are nature at its best.
The majestic peaks, with their awe-inspiring beauty, raw power, and spiritual presence, represent the purest and most magnificent expression of nature’s grandeur.

4. The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying.
Though the journey up the mountain was physically and mentally exhausting, the sense of accomplishment, personal growth, and spiritual enlightenment made every hardship worthwhile.

5. The physical conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience.
Beyond the physical achievement of reaching the summit, the journey helps one connect with nature, understand their place in the universe, and experience a profound sense of spiritual awakening.