The Summit Within

(iii) Jubilant and sad

Explanation – According to Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, by climbing the summit of Everest, one is overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. However, at the same time, he also experienced a tinge of sadness because of the thought that there was nothing up beyond that point and ultimately one had to land down in the real world.

(ii) humility and a sense of smallness.

Explanation – He was gripped by consciousness from within in a special manner making him aware of his smallness in the large universe.

(i) Great intellectual achievements.

(iii) Overcoming personal ambition for the common welfare.

(iv) Living in the world of thought and imagination.

(v) the triumph of mind over worldly pleasures for a noble cause.

Explanation – The summit of the mind as explained by the narrator does not explain any of the definitions given by (i), (iii), (iv) and (v).

The obstacles in climbing a mountain are not only restricted to physical challenges accompanied by exhaustion. Apart from this, according to the narrator, the climb to the summit requires the three qualities of endurance, persistence, and willpower to succeed and move forward.

Everest is one of the highest, mightiest mountains which has defied many previous attempts. Posing great difficulties, it takes the last ounce of one’s energy according to the narrator Major H.P.S Ahluwalia. A brutal struggle with rock and ice, once taken up, cannot be given up halfway even when one’s life is at stake. The passage back is as difficult as the passage onwards.

Eventually, when the summit is climbed, there comes the exhilaration, the joy of having done something, the sense of a battle fought and won. This very feeling of victory coupled with happiness makes the risky adventure, a pleasurable one.

The personal experience shared by Major H.P.S Ahluwalia regarding his fondness of mountains is a testimony to his irresistible nature.

From the days of his childhood, he has always been attracted towards mountains and often found it miserable to stay away from them in plains. He felt that Mountains were nature at its best and their beauty and majesty posed a great challenge. In addition to this, he also believed in the divine connect with God that one experiences on reaching the top.

Everest is the highest and the mightiest peaks among all deeply fascinated the narrator. The mere glimpse of the peak drove him into another world wherein he could experience the mystical change within him. The beauty, aloofness, ruggedness and the difficulties encountered on the way were amongst the most difficult aspects of Everest that narrator found difficult to resist.

According to the narrator, fame is not the only driving force when it comes to climbing a high peak. The physical conquest of a mountain is only one part of the achievement. The other part gives the climber a sense of fulfillment, a satisfaction of a deep urge to rise above one’s surroundings. The eternal love of adventure is not merely physical but emotional and spiritual in nature. Above all, it changes the individual altogether thereby bringing within him a deeper understanding of himself.

The emotion that the narrator mentions in regard to the line mentioned above is that of humility.

On climbing the summit, he experiences a unique sense of smallness in the entire universe which arouses within him a sense of humility.

The symbols of reverence left by different members of the team on Everest included a picture of Goddess Durga left by Rawat, a relic of Buddha left by Phu Dorji, across buried under a cairn by Edmund Hillary and a picture of Guru Nanak left by Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia himself.

According to the writer, the experience of climbing the summit changes one completely. It helps in experiencing the summit within oneself. One needs to climb that summit in order to get a fuller knowledge of oneself. Therefore, the physical act of climbing the summit of a mountain is akin to the act of climbing the mountain within.

As an Everester, the writer feels that the experience provided him with the inspiration and courage to face the ordeals of life in a resolute manner. The conquest of the Everest as well as the inner summit was in all a worthwhile experience for the writer.

(ii) A man takes delight in overcoming obstacles.

The demonstration of the physical qualities of endurance, persistence, and willpower are the fundamental key to encounter obstacles.

(iii) Mountains are nature at its best.

The beauty and majesty and the ruggedness and difficulties posed by the mountains are the aspects that drive one towards them.

(iv) The going was difficult but the after-effects were satisfying.

Climbing the summit poses many obstacles but the after-effects of the achievement give a sense of fulfillment.

(v) The physical conquest of a mountain is really a spiritual experience.

The physical act of climbing to the summit of a mountain outside is akin to the act of climbing the mountain within, which is a spiritual as well as emotional experience.

(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 are 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 a low ebb today?

(Use such in the phrase)

Ashok: I have to write ten sentences using words that I never heard before.

(v) Shieba: Your big moment is close at hand.

Jyoti: How should I welcome it?

Sheba: Get up and receive the trophy.

(i) endurance

Meaning – The lasting capacity of a thing or a person in a particular situation

(ii) persistence

Meaning – The continuous existence of something

(iii) significance

Meaning – The importance of something

(iv) confidence

Meaning – The existence of faith in something or someone (including oneself)

(v) maintenance

Meaning – The act of preserving something

(vi) abhorrence

Meaning – The feeling of hatred for something

(a) There were formidable obstacles along the way, but we reached our destination safely.

(b) We have no means of finding out what happened there.

(c) Why he lives in a house remote from any town or village is more than I can tell.

(d) Overwhelmed by gratitude, we bowed to the speaker for his valuable advice.

(e) The old castle stands in a dominant position above the sleepy town.

NOTE– Students can use the above-given words to form meaningful sentences. The meanings of the same have been explained in a few words in the first part (i) of this question.

A Visit to the Paradise on Earth

Kashmir, situated in the northernmost region of the Indian Subcontinent is considered to be among the most beautiful and magnificent places in the world. Covered with dense forests and lush green valleys, it is truly nature at its best.

Apart from its scenic beauty and picturesque state, it is a hub for diverse adventurous activities and a unique center of art and culture.

Right from the spectacular view of the Kashmir Valley to the stays provided in the houseboats in the Dal Lake, the panoramic view is genuinely breathtaking.

NOTE – The given composition is just an example. Students are supposed to share their own experiences in the section on writing skills.

The phrases (including words) that reflect the child’s happiness and joy are as follows:

i. “love to rise in a summer morn”

ii. “When the birds sing on every tree”

iii. “And the skylarks sing with me”

iv. “O! what sweet company

In stanza 2, the mood changes from happiness to sadness. Following phrases

(including words) reflect the changed mood:

● “O! it drives all joy away”

● “Under a cruel eye outworn”

● “The little ones spend the day, In sighing and dismay”

(iii) The dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.

Explanation – The schoolboy mentioned in the poem aspires to set free and enjoy the summer mornings away from the burdens of school life. The phrase “A cruel eye outworn” reflects on the boring atmosphere that surrounds the school life far away from the bright sunshine of the summer mornings.

(ii) Nor can I learn anything at school though teachers go on lecturing and explaining.

Explanation– The child finds the school a very dull and boring place. He constantly desires to break free from the enclosed atmosphere of school life and enjoy the summer mornings. Using the above phrase, he expresses his deep unhappiness and the inability to learn inspite of constant explanations and simplifications given by his teachers.