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)
Answer:The holy man was surprised because unlike most families who wished for a son, Santosh’s family, especially her grandmother, asked for blessings for a girl child. This unusual request amazed the holy man as it went against the common societal preference.
2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl, Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)
Answer: Santosh showed from an early age that she questioned traditions that didn’t make sense to her. Instead of blindly following what was expected of girls, she made her own choices. For example, while most village girls wore traditional dresses, Santosh confidently wore shorts, showing her independent thinking and refusal to accept unreasonable norms.
3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)
Answer: Santosh belonged to a well-off family of landowners who had the means to provide her with quality education. However, she was enrolled in the local village school because it was the usual tradition followed by the family to educate children nearby rather than sending them to distant or reputed institutions.
4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)
Answer: She left home for Delhi when she was sixteen because she wanted to get a proper education.
5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought to light by this incident? (4)
Answer: When Santosh firmly told her parents that she would manage her education expenses by working part-time if they didn’t support her, they finally agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi.
This incident highlights Santosh’s determination, self-confidence, and strong sense of independence. It shows that she was committed to her education and willing to take responsibility for her own future.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words)
1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?
Answer:While staying at Kasturba Hostel during her college years, Santosh often saw villagers climbing the Aravalli Hills and disappearing beyond the slopes. Curious and adventurous by nature, she approached them and asked if she could accompany them. They agreed, and this marked the beginning of her journey into mountain climbing.
2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?
Answer:During her 1992 Everest expedition, Santosh displayed deep concern for her fellow climbers. She gave special attention to a dying teammate at the South Col, trying her best to help even though the climber couldn’t be saved. In another instance, she saved Mohan Singh’s life by selflessly sharing her own oxygen supply, showing her courage and compassion for others.
3. What shows her concern for the environment?
Answer: Santosh showed her environmental awareness during the 1992 Everest expedition by collecting around 500 kilograms of waste from the Himalayas and bringing it down. Her effort to clean the mountains highlights her sense of responsibility towards nature and her commitment to preserving the environment.
4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of Everest?
Answer: Santosh described her experience at the summit of Everest as overwhelming. It took her a while to truly grasp the significance of the moment. She proudly hoisted the Indian tricolor at the highest point on Earth and felt a deep sense of pride and honor. Watching the national flag flutter at the top of the world filled her with emotions that words couldn’t fully express.
5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this?
Answer: Santosh Yadav secured a place in the record books on both occasions she climbed Mt. Everest. The first time, she became the youngest woman in the world to reach the summit. The second time, she became the only woman in the world to have scaled Mt. Everest twice, setting another remarkable milestone in mountaineering history.
III. Complete the following statements.
1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to _________________.
Answer: From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch villagers from her room, going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while.
2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _________________.
Answer: When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had got herself enrolled at Uttarkashi without his permission.
3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her _________________ while _________________ endeared her to fellow climbers.
Answer: During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength, while her concern for others and desire to work together with them 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.)
1. took to be true without proof (1):
Answer:took to be true without proof: assumed
2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2):
Answer: based on reason; sensible; reasonable: rational
3. the usual way of doing things (3):
Answer: the usual way of doing things: custom
4. a strong desire arising from within (5):
Answer: a strong desire arising from within: urge
5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7):
Answer: the power to endure, without falling ill: resistance
Answer by Mrinmoee
