Class 8 English Chapter 5 Question Answers - The Summit Within

Q1: What is more than a physical conquest of a mountain?
Ans: There is more than the physical conquest of a mountain, it is the sense of fulfilment, satisfaction of a deep urge to rise above one’s surroundings. It is the eternal love for adventure in man.

Q2: 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.

Q3: What is one’s feeling after climbing the Summit of Everest?
Ans: After climbing the Summit of Mount Everest, one is overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness.

Q4: What has the experience as an Everester taught the narrator?
Ans: The experience as an Everester has taught the narrator to face life’s ordeals resolutely.

Q5: 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.

Q6: 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.

Q7: How does the experience of climbing the summit change you completely?
Ans: Climbing the mountain changes you completely because you realize that there is another summit within yourself. It is in your mind. Each man carries within himself a mountain peak which cannot be climbed by anyone else. You must climb yourself to reach a fuller knowledge of yourself.

Q8: 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.

Q9: Why once the passage taken up cannot be taken back?
Ans: Once the passage taken up cannot be taken back because it is as difficult as the passage onwards.

Q10: 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.

Q11: What is the scene around when one stands on the summit?
Ans: The scene around when standing on the summit is beautiful. There are other silvery peaks around which appear through the clouds, especially when the sun is on them. The surrounding peaks look like a jewelled necklace around the neck of a summit, and below are the vast valleys sloping into a distance.

Q12: What do the pictures of God left on Everest symbolise?
Ans: The pictures of God left on Everest symbolise reverence.