Chapter 2 On To The Summit: We Reach The Top
Q.1. Discuss various hazards and risks that a mountaineer/ trekker has to face in an expedition.
Answer: A mountaineer or trekker faces many dangers during an expedition. Some of the main risks are:
1. Poor visibility due to mist, rain, snow or darkness.
2. Snow and ice make the path slippery and dangerous.
3. Falling rocks during heavy rain or snow.
4. Lightning in high mountains.
5. Flash floods after storms.
6. Rain and strong winds cause slippery paths and loss of balance.
7. Hypothermia (drop in body temperature) due to cold and wet clothes.
8. Heat exhaustion and dehydration because of hard work.
They faced steep and rocky sides covered with snow, but climbed steadily. The last fifty feet was very tough, yet they supported each other and finally reached the summit. Tenzing placed the four flags while wearing a red scarf gifted by a friend. They stayed at the top for about fifteen minutes before returning safely.
Q 3. Write down the significance of the following in the context of On to the Summit.
Answer: (a) Red Scarf:
It was given to Tenzing by his Swiss friend Lambert in 1952. It reminded him of their earlier expedition and gave him energy and excitement for this climb.
(b) Husiar:
It means “be careful.” Tenzing and Hillary stayed cautious even after success, showing their discipline and awareness during the dangerous return journey.
(c) Kerosene Flavoured Tea:
Brought by Mr. Noyce from Camp Eight. Though it tasted of kerosene, Tenzing and Hillary gratefully drank it because they valued his effort and the hot tea more than its taste.
(d) Ice Axe:
Tenzing tied the flags of Britain, UN, Nepal and India to his ice axe for photographs. Later he removed it because he needed the axe for climbing down.
(e) Anchor:
The anchor is the climber who follows and ensures safety. Tenzing and Hillary shared this role in turns, showing teamwork and mutual trust.
Q 4. Fill appropriate letters in the blank space to get a past participle form of a word. Use the word as adjective in your own sentence.
(a) s _ g n _ d
Answer: signed – The advocate took all the signed documents to the court.
(b) p _ _ z _ d
Answer: prized – My grandmother’s diary is a prized possession for me.
(c) f _ _t_ene_
Answer: flattened – On the highway we were in great trouble due to the flattened tyre.
(d) b _ i _ e _
Answer: boiled – My sister loves to eat boiled egg.
Q 5. I was not afraid for die that day.
Answer: I was not afraid to die that day.
Question (ii)
Tenzing and Hillary made on pact at the office of PM of Nepal.
Answer: Tenzing and Hillary made a pact in the office of PM of Nepal.
Question (iii)
I has to bring my ice axe down with me.
Answer: I had to bring my ice axe down with me.
Question (iv)
Tenzing have spent a night with Camp Eight.
Answer: Tenzing had spent a night at Camp Eight.
Question (v)
Pact was signed from Tenzing and Hillary.
Answer: A pact was signed between Tenzing and Hillary.
Question (vi)
I and Hillary were in no mood of talking.
Answer: Hillarv and I were in no mood for any talking.
Q 6. Write in short about any adventure sport that you like and the risk involved in it.
Answer: I like bungee jumping. It is a thrilling sport where a person jumps from a tall structure while tied to an elastic rope. It needs courage because there are risks. Common injuries are sprains, fractures, and bruises. The most serious risk is head injury. Though safety is arranged, it is still risky.
Q 7. Give your opinion: whether we should or should not participate in adventure sports because –
Answer: Adventure sports have two sides.
Positive:
Increase confidence.
Keep the mind active.
Teach us to face challenges.
Inspire us to explore.
Negative:
Can cause serious injuries.
Very dangerous if precautions fail.
Safety rules are not always strict.
So, people should decide for themselves. If trained and careful, one can enjoy adventure sports safely.
8. Tenzing and Hillary created history by reaching the summit of Mt. Everest. There are many mountains in Maharashtra where one can fancy his or her chances of climbing them. Imagine that you have climbed a mountain and are immensely thrilled and excited. Write a letter to your friend about it.
Answer: XYZ,
ABC Apartment,
Flat No. 4, 29th Road,
Shivaji Nagar, Pune.
11th July, 2019
Dear Manav,
How are you? I am so excited to tell you about my first trekking experience. Last week, my friends and I went to Lonavala and climbed up to Lohagad Fort. It was my first trek and I was thrilled.
The climb took about three to four hours. At first, I was a little nervous, but when we reached the top, the beautiful view of the hills, waterfalls and valleys made me forget all my fear. It was truly worth it.
The way down was easier and we enjoyed ourselves a lot. We clicked many photos of the amazing scenery. I will show them to you when you come to Pune.
Give my regards to Uncle and Aunty. Waiting to hear from you soon.
Yours lovingly,
XYZ
9. You are the college representative and your Principal has assigned you the task of writing a letter to the Divisional Officer, Satpuda Mountain Ranges, Nagpur, seeking permission for the mountaineering expedition to be organized by your college.
Answer: Harshad Kale
College Representative
XYZ College of Arts and Commerce
Ghatkopar (East), Mumbai – 400 077
11th July, 2019
To,
The Divisional Officer
Satpuda Mountain Ranges
Nagpur
Subject: Permission for college mountaineering expedition
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Harshad Kale, College Representative of XYZ College of Arts and Commerce. On behalf of my Principal, Dr. Sunil Patil, I request your kind permission to organize a mountaineering expedition.
Our NCC unit has planned the expedition from 25th to 30th July. Selected students are trained
trekkers and will be guided by experienced mountaineers and our professors. All safety measures
will be taken under the supervision of our Principal.
We request you to kindly grant us permission for this expedition.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Harshad Kale
Enclosures:
1. Expedition programme copy
2. Permission letter from Principal
10. Convert the above letter into an e-mail format.
Answer: To: abc@gmail.com
Cc: qrs@gmail.com
Bcc: (hidden)
Subject: Request for permission – College mountaineering expedition
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Harshad Kale, representative of XYZ College of Arts and Commerce. On behalf of my
Principal and teachers, I kindly request permission to organize a mountaineering expedition by
our NCC unit from 25th to 30th July, 2019 in the Satpuda ranges.
Our students are trained trekkers and will be guided by experienced mountaineers and
professors. All safety measures are being arranged under the supervision of our Principal.
I am attaching the expedition programme and the Principal’s permission letter for your reference.
Kindly allow us to proceed with the expedition.
Awaiting your kind reply.
Thanks & regards,
Harshad Kale
College Representative
XYZ College of Arts and Commerce
Attachments:
1.Expedition programme
2. Principal’s permission letter
11 . Look at the sentences given below. Find out which one is correct. If the sentence is wrong give reasons.
a. Sunita is the quieter of four sisters.
Answer: The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: When more than two nouns are compared superlative adjective should be used, i.e., quitest
b. Sunita is the quietest of the four sisters.
(iii) Anil’s computer is more new than mine.
Answer: The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘More new’ is the wrong form of comparative degree of the adjective ‘new’.
c. Anil’s computer is newer than mine.
(v) I have the wonderfullest mother in the world
Answer: The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘wonderfullest’ is the wrong form of superlative degree of the adjective ‘wonderful’.
d. I have the most wonderful mother in the world.
(vii) Aditi is more carefuller than Mary.
Answer: The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘More carefuller’ is the wrong form of comparative degree of ‘careful’.
(viii) Aditi is more careful than Mary.
12. Look at the following sentences and observe the changes in the three sentences. Note your responses.
a. Sunita is the quieter of four sisters.
Answer:
The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: When more than two nouns are compared superlative adjective should be used, i.e., quitest
b. Sunita is the quietest of the four sisters.
(iii) Anil’s computer is more new than mine.
Answer:
The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘More new’ is the wrong form of comparative degree of the adjective ‘new’.
c. Anil’s computer is newer than mine.
(v) I have the wonderfullest mother in the world
Answer:
The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘wonderfullest’ is the wrong form of superlative degree of the adjective ‘wonderful’.
d. I have the most wonderful mother in the world.
(vii) Aditi is more carefuller than Mary.
Answer:
The above sentence is wrong.
Reason: ‘More carefuller’ is the wrong form of comparative degree of ‘careful’.
(viii) Aditi is more careful than Mary.
13. Look at the following sentences and observe the changes in the three sentences. Note your responses.
Question (a)
Atul is not as bright as Milind in studies.
Answer: Positive
Question (b)
The dining room is brighter than the kitchen.
Answer: Comparitive
Question (c)
Anne is the brightest girl in class.
Answer: Superlative
14. Give reasons for the ‘rope’ being called a symbol.
Answer: The rope that tied the two mountaineers, Hillary and Tenzing, together,was referred to as a
‘symbol’ by Tenzing because he always felt that climbing was a teamwork for them. Success, risks,
hard work and failure be shared by both as two of them were tied together to fulfill an ambition
which was full of hazards. They were aware of the risks involved in their mission and in all those
situations, the rope would be between them as a symbol of their togetherness.
14. Discuss in pairs about any controversy in which you haive got embroiled. Also speak of your experience to the class.
Answer: Controversies are parts and parcels of our lives and most of the times they are man-made.
It happened with me also when I made an innocent comment about one of my classmates. There
was a lot of hue and cry about these comments as it was reported by adding fuel to it. But I decided
to talk to my classmate and the matter was resolved amicably.
15. List the ways in which Tenzing Norgay celebrates on reaching the top.
Answer: 1. Tenzing and Hillary embraced each other saying “We have done it.”
2. Tenzing showed his gratitude to God by praying silently for the fulfillment of his desire of climbing the Everest after having failed six times. His offerings were biscuits, candy and a little blue pencil which his daughter Nima had requested him to put on the top of the mountain.
3. Hillary took the photograph of Tenzing holding aloft the flags of Great Britain, Nepal, the United Nations and India.
Answer by Dimpee Bora
