NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Reach for the Top
TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
(Page 102 & 107)
THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)
1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised ? (1)
2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)
3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school ? (3)
4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why ? (4)
5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi ? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident ? (4)
Answers
1. Santosh’s grandmother sought blessings for a daughter, not for a son from the holy man. Most of the expecting women wish a son to be born to them. So this surprised the holy man.
2. She wore shorts and not the traditional Indian dress for girls.
3. She was sent to the local school. It was in line with the prevailing custom in her family.
4. She left home for Delhi when she got admission in a school. She did so as she wanted to get a,proper education.
5. They agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi when Santosh got adament. She told them that she would work part time to get more education. The qualities of determination coupled with a strong desire are seen here.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).
1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains ?
2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team mates ?
3. What shows her concern for the environment ? (CBSE)
Or
How does Santosh Yadav show her concern for the environment ? (CBSE)
4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest ?
5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this ?
Answers
1. She began to climb hills. She did so when she decided to check why the villagers climbing the hills vanished. Then she took admission in Uttarkashi’s Institute of Mountaineering. She went on an expedition every year.
2. One climber lay dying at the South Col. Another climber Mohan Singh would have died if Santosh had not shared her oxygen with him. She gave her oxygen to save him from a sure death.
3. Santosh returned from Mount Everest. While doing so, she collected garbage from the Himalayas. She then brought it down with her. It weighed 500 kilograms.
4. She describes her feelings in saying that that moment was simply great. It took sometime to sink in. She felt it was a spiritual moment. She felt proud as an Indian when she unfurled the Indian tricolour.
5. She set a record as the only woman to have conquered the Everest twice. Also she is the only Indian woman in the world to have set such a record.
III. Complete the following statements.
- From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to …….. .
- When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because ……. .
- During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her ……. while endeared her to fellow climbers.
Answers
- … see the villagers going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while.
- … she was going directly for training and not home which she should have done.
- …… climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength while working together endeared her to fellow climbers.
IV. Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)
- took to be true without proof (1): …….
- based on reason ; sensible ; reasonable (2): ……..
- the usual way of doing things (3): …….
- a strong desire arising from within (5): ………
- the power to endure, without falling ill (7): ……..
Answers
- blessing
- rational
- in her own quiet way
- urge
- resistance/endurance
BEFORE YOU READ
• Match the following.
| something disarming | quickly, almost immediately |
| at odds with | more calm, confident and in control than people of her age usually are |
| glamorous attire | in contrast to ; not agreeing with |
| in almost no time | something that makes you feel friendly, taking away your suspiciousness |
| poised beyond her years | sent off |
| packed off | attractive and exciting clothes |
| launched | causing strong feelings of sadness |
| heart wrenching | started |
Answers
| something disarming | something that makes you feel friendly, taking away your suspiciousness |
| at odds with | in contrast to, not agreeing with |
| glamorous attire | attractive and exciting clothes |
| in almost no time | quickly, almost immediately |
| poised beyond her years | more calm, confident and in control than people of her age usually are |
| packed off | sent off |
| launched | started |
| heart wrenching | causing strong feelings of sadness |
THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Working in small groups of 4-5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.
| Points of Comparison / Contrast | Santosh Yadav | Maria Sharapova |
| 1. Their humble beginning | ||
| 2. Their parents’ approach | ||
| 3. Their will power and strong desire to succeed | ||
| 4. Evidence of their mental toughness | ||
| 5. Their patriotism |
Answers
| Santosh Yadav | Maria Sharapova |
| 1. Santosh’s parents were affluent landowners who could afford … | My father was working as much as he could to keep…. |
| 2. Wishing always to study ‘a bit more’, and with her father slowly getting used to her urge … | The latter (her mother) was compelled to stay back in Siberia ….
[My father working as much ……. either.] |
| 3. Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance and an amazing mental… | Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. |
| 4. The culmination of her hard work and sincerity came in 1942 … | And that something in her lifted her on Monday, 22 August 2005 to the world number one position in women’s tennis. |
| 5. Then I unfurled the Indian tricolour and held it ……. indescribable …… I felt proud as an Indian … | My blood is totally Russian. I will play the Olympics for Russia if they want me. |
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
Look at the following sentences. They each have two clauses, or two parts each with their own subject and verb or verb phrase. Often, one part (italicised) tells us when or why something happened.
- I reached the market when most of the shops had closed. (Tells us when I reached.)
- When Rahul Dravid walked hack towards the pavilion, everyone stood up. (Tells us when everyone stood up.)
- The telephone rang and Ganga picked it up. (Tells us what happened next.)
- Gunjan has been with us ever since the school began. (Tells us for how long he has been with us.)
I. Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets, as shown above.
- Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. (Contrasts her dress with that of others)
- She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi. (Tells us what happened after the first action.)
- She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived. (Tells us when she was going to fight the system.)
- Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S.)
Answers
- Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses Santosh preferred shorts.
- She got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi when she left home.
- When the right moment arrived, she decided to fight.
- Little Maria had not vet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.
II. Now rewrite the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.
- Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then.
- What do you do after you finish the book ? Perhaps you just throw it away.
- He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart.
- You have nothing. That makes you very determined.
- I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted.
Answers
- Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.
- I throw the book away after I read it.
- After giving the little girl an apple, he took the computer apart.
- You have nothing which makes you very determined.
- I never thought of quitting as I knew what I wanted.
DICTATION
Read the passage once. Then close your books. Your teacher will dictate the story to you. Write it down with the correct punctuation and paragraphing.
The Raincoat
After four years of drought in a small town in the Northeast, the Vicar gathered everyone together for a pilgrimage to the mountain, where they would pray together and ask for the rain to return.
The priest noticed a boy in the group wearing a raincoat.
“Have you gone mad ?” he asked. “It hasn’t rained in this region for five years, the heat will kill you climbing the mountain.”
“I have a cold, father. If we are going to ask God for rain, can you imagine the way back from the mountain ? It’s going to be such a downpour that I need to be prepared.”
At that moment a great crash was heard in the sky and the first drops began to fall. A boy’s faith was enough to bring about a miracle that not even those most prepared truly believed in. (translated by James Mulholland)
Answer
The Raincoat
After four years of drought in a small town in the Northeast, the Vicar gathered everyone together for a pilgrimage to the mountain, where they would pray together and ask for the rain to return.
The priest noticed a boy in the group wearing a raincoat.
“Have you gone mad ?” he asked. “It hasn’t rained in this region for five years. The heat will kill you climbing the mountain.”
“I have a cold, father. If we are going to ask God for rain, can you imagine the way back from jhe mountain ? It’s going to be such a downpour that I need to be prepared.”
At that moment a great crash was heard in the sky and the first drops began to fall. A boy’s faith was enough to bring about a miracle that not even those most prepared truly believed in.
SPEAKING
Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. The following words and phrases may help you.
- self confident/confidence/sure of yourself
- self assured/assurance/belief in yourself
- morale/boost morale/raise morale
- giving somebody a boost/fillip/lift
- demoralising/unsure of yourself/insecure/lack confidence
Answer
Madam chairperson, delegates, dear athlete participants and young girls
Thank you very much for inviting me to speak at this All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. I feel extremely delighted to find India being represented in this Meet through you all. I feel honoured to speak to you a few words from this platform.
Well, I was once like you. What is important in life is self-confidence. You must be sure that you are on a correct path of life. It should be morally right also. You must set a goal also. In between lie your hard work, determination and faith in you. You must make a kind of chart of your activities. You must see the goal as the motivating factor. Without dreams you can’t reach anywhere. They motivate you to do unusual things. But dreams should be capable of being fulfilled.
Never allow difficulties to overpower you. You will face problems in life. But never let them discourage you. Keep these things in mind. Believe in your physical and mental capacities. I am sure success will be yours.
Thanks to you once again for inviting me. Bye.
WRITING
Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975. Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top. Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.
Top-Ranked Women Players
I. The roll of honour of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody’s favourite player, Chris Evert, took her place in 1975.
| Name | Ranked on | Weeks as No. 1 |
| Maria Sharapova (Russia) | 22 August 2005 | 1 |
| Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) | October 2004 | 82 |
| Amelie Mauresmo (France) | 13 September 2004 | 5 |
| Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) | 20 October 2003 | 45 |
| Kim Clijsters (Belgium) | 11 August 2003 | 12 |
| Serena Williams (U.S.) | 8 July 2002 | 57 |
| Venus Williams (U.S.) | 25 February 2002 | 11 |
| Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) | 15 October 2001 | 17 |
| Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) | 12 October 1998 | 82 |
| Martina Hingis (Switzerland) | 31 March 1997 | 209 |
| Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) | 6 February 1995 | 12 |
| Monica Seles (U.S.) | 11 March 1991 | 178 |
| Steffi Graf (Germany) | 17 August 1987 | 377 |
| Tracy Austin (U.S.) | 7 April 1980 | 22 |
| Martina Navratilova (U.S.) | 10 July 1978 | 331 |
| Chris Evert (U.S.) | 3 November 1975 | 362 |
Answer
Top-ranked Women Players
It is good that women too have made it to the top in Women’s Tennis. The list is long. Different women enjoyed life being of the summit for different durations. For instance, Steffi Graf of Germany enjoyed the topmost rank for the longest duration of 377 weeks on August 17, 1987. She was followed by Chris Evert of the US who enjoyed this rank for 362 weeks on Nov 3, 1975. Martina Navratilova of the US enjoyed it for 331 weeks on July 10, 1978.
It was Martina Hingis of Switzerland who had it for 209 weeks on March 31, 1997. Monica Seles of the US also enjoyed it for 178 weeks on March 11, 1991. Following this, Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport of the US also remained world number one for 57 and 82 weeks respectively. The latest number one women player is Maria Sharapova of Russia. She enjoyed this rank for 1 week only on August 22, 2005.
All these women didn’t make it to the number one world position in Women’s Tennis in one day. They worked very hard day and night. They sharpened their playing skills through various hurdles. They had physical fitness and mental strength to get success. They had talent, mental toughness and readiness to sacrifice. These qualities played an important role in their world achievements.
They have proved a great point. It is : if any one has these qualities of head and heart, one can surely achieve this grand success. What one needs is to put one’s dream into practice. Dreams always motivate one. But those dreams should be worth putting into practice.
II. Which of these words would you use to describe Santosh Yadav ? Find reasons in the text to support your choices, and write a couple of paragraphs describing Santosh’s character.
- contented
- determined
- resourceful
- polite
- adventurous
- considerate
- weak-willed
- fearful
- independent
- pessimistic
- patient
- persevering
Answer
I would use the following words to describe Santosh : determined, adventurous, considerate, persevering.
Santosh is surely a girl of determination. While young, she determined to get more education. For that she made her father agree to that. She threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education. Then she was very much determined in her career. She joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi without their permission.
She is adventurous also. She used to see the villagers climb the Aravalli Hills in Jaipur and vanish after a while. She decided to check it out herself one day. She wasn’t afraid of anything.
She is considerate. She has a sacrificing nature also. She provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the South Col. She saved another climber, Mohan Singh. She gave her oxygen to save him. Without that he would have died.
She had enough perseverance in what she did. She went on an expedition every year. This sharpened her climbing skills. This also increased her physical fitness and mental strength. Because of this she climbed Mount Everest.
All these qualities have made Santosh the only woman in the world to conquer Mount Everest twice. No one has broken her record till date.
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