Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5 Question Answers - The Summit Within

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. What do you know about H.P.S. Ahluwalia?
 Ans. Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia was a member of the first successful Indian expedition to Mount Everest in 1965.

Q2. Which other summit has been talked to by the author?
 Ans. The other summit that has been talked to by the author is the summit of the mind. In the author’s opinion climbing this summit is as difficult as climbing the summit of Mount Everest.

Q3. Why do people climb mountains?
 Ans. People climb mountains because it is a difficult task. They take delight in overcoming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit means endurance, persistence and will power. The demonstration of these qualities is exhilarating.

Q4. How does the author view mountains?
 Ans. The author finds great joy in the company of mountains. He feels miserable in the plains. Their beauty and majesty pose a great challenge. The author believes that mountains are a means of communion with God.

Q5. What features of Everest did draw the author to it?
 Ans. The beauty of Everest, its aloofness, might and ruggedness drew the author to it. The difficulties that the author encountered on the way also were taken by him as challenges which he couldn’t resist.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. Why did the author climb Mount Everest?
 Ans. The author climbed Mount Everest because it is the highest, the mightiest and has defied many previous attempts. It takes the last ounce of one’s energy. It is a brutal struggle with rock and ice. Once taken up, it cannot be given up halfway because the passage back is as difficult as the passage onwards. And then, when the summit is climbed, there is the exhilaration, the joy of having done something, the sense of a battle fought and won. There is a feeling of victory and of happiness.

Q2. How does Ahluwalia explain the title of the lesson, ‘ The Summit Within’?
 Ans. The writer was a member of the team that reached the summit of Mount Everest. It was a great achievement. But he did not feel vain or heroic. He felt that his conquest of Everest was  merely a physical experience. There was another summit within every person. It was his own mind. One has to climb it also to get fuller knowledge of oneself. This exercise is difficult. It also changes one as does standing on the summit of Mt. Everest.

Q3. How did Ahluwalia feel standing on the summit?
 Ans. Ahluwalia was overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. Looking round from the summit, Ahluwalia told himself that his adventure, though risky, was worthwhile. The surrounding peaks looked like a jewelled necklace. It was an ennobling and enriching experience. He was filled with humility. He thanked God and then left on Everest a picture of Guru Nanak.

Q4. How does Ahluwalia describe his achievement?
 Ans. Ahluwalia feels that Everest is not just a physical climb. Standing on the mountain’s top he felt how small he was in the big universe. He experienced a sense of fulfilment. It satisfied his love for adventure. The experience was not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.

Q5. What problems do the climbers face as they climb a mountain?
 Ans. Breathing at great height is difficult. The climber has to cut the steps in the hard ice and he has to strain every nerve as he takes every step. Sometimes he curses himself for undertaking such a task. There are moments when he feels like going back for relief. But there is something that does not let him give up the struggle.