NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Unit 4 Conquering the Summit

Let us do these activities before we read (Page 166)

QI: Identify the activities represented by the icons given below. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Ans: 1. Paragliding
2. Mountain biking
3. Rock climbing
4. River rafting

QII: Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.
1: Why do you think people undertake the activities identified above?
Ans: People undertake these activities for fun, adventure, to challenge themselves, and to enjoy nature.

2: How would they prepare for these activities?
Ans: They prepare by training, getting the right equipment, learning safety rules, and checking the weather.

3: Which one of them do you find the most exciting? Why?
Ans: I find river rafting the most exciting because it’s thrilling to ride fast on water with friends.

QIII: Work in pairs to complete the word web given below. Share the answers with the teacher.

Ans:

Let us discuss (Page 169)

Read the statements given below and explain each statement in your own words.

1. Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.
Ans: Arunima is seen as a source of inspiration and strength because she didn’t give up after losing her leg in an accident. She climbed Mount Everest, showing others that they can overcome tough challenges with determination.

2. Arunima decided to climb Mount Everest despite losing her leg.
Ans: Even though Arunima lost her leg in a train accident, she made a big decision to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, proving she could achieve her dream with a prosthetic leg.

3. Bachendri Pal’s guidance was crucial in Arunima’s journey to the summit of Mount Everest.
Ans: Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Everest, helped Arunima a lot by giving her confidence and advice. Her support was very important for Arunima to succeed in reaching the top of Mount Everest.

4. Arunima’s achievements go beyond just physical endurance.
Ans: Arunima’s success isn’t only about her physical strength to climb mountains. It also shows her mental strength, courage, and determination to face difficulties and achieve her goals, inspiring others.

5. Arunima’s autobiography inspires readers around the world.
Ans: Arunima wrote a book about her life called Born Again on the Mountain. It motivates people everywhere by sharing her story of losing her leg, facing challenges, and climbing Mount Everest, encouraging them to chase their dreams.

Let us think and reflect (Page 170)

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Bachendri Pal instilled confidence in Arunima and said, “My child, you decided to climb Mount Everest in these situations with a prosthetic leg—you have conquered the Everest within you; the world will realise it later.” 

On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, Arunima Sinha reached the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at the top of the world, she felt a surge of emotions—pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of achievement.

1: Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because __________
Ans: Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because she decided to climb it with a prosthetic leg despite her challenges.

2: How might Arunima have felt after what Bachendri Pal told her?
Ans: Arunima might have felt confident and motivated to achieve her goal.

3: Choose a phrase from the extract which shows that reaching the summit of Mount Everest was tiring.
Ans: 52 exhausting days

4: Select the correct option to complete the sentence. After her success when Arunima felt 'an overwhelming sense of achievement', she would have most likely said, "______________"
(i) I am confident of my abilities
(ii) I will accomplish this soon
(iii) I am excited to begin this climb
(iv) I finally realised my dream
Ans: (iv) I finally realised my dream

QII. Answer the following questions.

1: What did Arunima do in order to fulfil her ambition of conquering Mount Everest?
Ans: Arunima completed a mountaineering course, trained for 18 months, and got guidance from Bachendri Pal.

2: Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
Ans: Arunima lost her leg but still climbed Mount Everest, showing hope and resilience by not giving up.

3: Arunima's autobiography is titled Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back. Why do you think this title is appropriate?
Ans: The title is appropriate because Arunima lost her leg but found new strength and success by climbing Everest.

4: Arunima says, "Failure is when we don't have goals worthy enough." What would be the most likely impact of this statement on readers?
Ans: This statement might inspire readers to set big goals and work hard to achieve them.

Let us learn (Page 171)

QI: Read the underlined phrases in sentences (i)–(v) and match them with their appropriate meanings given in the box below.

(i) Nisha was relieved when the final match was over after several exhausting days of practice.
(ii) Despite several failures, her heartfelt attempts to learn the guitar showed her determination and passion for music.
(iii) Moving to a new city was a life-altering event for Jagan, as it gave him the chance to make new friends and try different activities.
(iv) Competing in the marathon requires not just physical strength but also mental fortitude to stay focused and finish the race.
(v) The lighthouse served as a beacon of hope for the sailors lost at sea.

Ans: 

​1. genuine, sincere efforts – (ii) heartfelt attempts
2. strength of mind – (iv) mental fortitude
3. periods of time filled with tiring and demanding activities – (i) exhausting days
4. an incident or experience that significantly changes a person's life – (iii) life-altering event
5. a source of inspiration or encouragement – (v) beacon of hope

QII: Complete the following table by filling in the gaps with correct parts of speech mentioned. An example has been done for you.

Ans: 

QIII: Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.

• Arunima made a vow that many would deem impossible.
• Her father was an army engineer.
• Standing at the top of the world, she felt a surge of emotions—pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of achievement.
• She planted the Indian flag at the summit and left behind a photograph of her idol, Swami Vivekananda.
• Arunima Sinha’s journey from a devastating accident to scaling the highest peak in the world stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. 

The highlighted words are articles.

‘A’ and ‘an’ are indefinite articles; ‘the’ is the definite article. The choice between ‘a’ and ‘an’ depends on the sound that follows the article, specifically the initial sound of the word that follows.

1: Fill in the blanks with 'a', 'an', 'the'. Put an 'x' where no article is required.
Ans: We planned (i) an adventurous trip to (ii) a remote island. (iii) The island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) x diverse wildlife. On (v) the first day, we set out to explore (vi) the island's dense jungle. (vii) A guide led us through (viii) the thick foliage and showed us (ix) a hidden waterfall. In (x) the evening, we gathered around (xi) a campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) a meal we cooked. (xiii) The experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) a connection with (xv) x nature.

2: There is an error in each sentence that has been underlined. Correct the error in the following sentences.

(i): We waited for a hour before the bus finally arrived.
Ans: We waited for an hour before the bus finally arrived.
Explanation: "a hour" is incorrect because "hour" starts with a vowel sound (/aʊ/), so "an" is used: "an hour."

(ii): The guide insisted on an uniform jacket for the group’s safety during the trek.
Ans: The guide insisted on a uniform jacket for the group's safety during the trek.
Explanation: "an uniform" is incorrect because "uniform" starts with a consonant sound (/juː/), so "a" is used: "a uniform."

(iii): Mount K2 is a second highest peak in the world.
Ans: Mount K2 is the second highest peak in the world.
Explanation: "a second highest peak" is incorrect; "the" is needed for the superlative form to specify it’s a unique position: "the second highest peak."

(iv): A Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance.
Ans: The Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance.
Explanation: "A Ganga" is incorrect because "Ganga" is a specific river, so the definite article "The" is used: "The Ganga."

(v): Challenges are faced with courage and determination by a brave.
Ans: Challenges are faced with courage and determination by the brave.
Explanation: "a brave" is incorrect because "brave" here refers to a general group (brave people), so "the" is used: "the brave."

(vi): A North Star has guided travellers for centuries.
Ans: The North Star has guided travellers for centuries.
Explanation: "A North Star" is incorrect because "North Star" is a specific star, so the definite article "The" is used: "The North Star."

Let us write (Page 174)

Q1: Read the various components of a formal letter from the box given below.

Ans: 

Q2: Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting her to organise an excursion to a nearby hill station for Grade 7 students of your school.

123, Green Street
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
10 May 2025

The Principal
St. Mary’s School
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh

Subject: Request to organise an excursion to a hill station

Dear Madam,

I am Riya Sharma, a student of Grade 7-A. I am writing to request you to organise an excursion to a nearby hill station for Grade 7 students.

An excursion to a hill station will be fun and educational. We can enjoy nature, learn about the environment, and do adventure activities like trekking. It will also help us bond with our classmates.

I kindly request you to consider this idea and arrange the trip for us.

Yours sincerely,
Riya Sharma
Grade 7-A, Roll Number 12