Santosh Yadav- Reaching for The Top Question & Answers Class 9 English

Class 9 English Lesson 7 ‘Reaching for The Top’ Part 1 Santosh Yadav Question & Answers are given here. The lesson comprises two parts. Click here for Part 2 ‘Maria Sharapova’ question & answers.

Textbook Exercise Solutions

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. The ‘holy man’ was surprised because Santosh’s mother expressed a desire for a daughter instead of a son, contrary to the prevailing societal preference for sons. (1)
2. As a young girl, Santosh preferred wearing shorts while other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, reflecting her determination to live life on her own terms. (2)
3. Santosh was sent to the local school due to the prevailing custom in the family, even though her parents could afford to send their children to the best schools in New Delhi. (3)
4. Santosh left home for Delhi when she turned sixteen because she was determined to pursue a proper education and resist the pressure from her parents to get married at that age. (4)
5. Santosh’s parents agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi when she informed them of her plans to work part-time to cover the expenses. This incident highlights Santosh’s qualities of determination, self-reliance, and her willingness to take responsibility for her education. (4)

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?
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. Santosh began climbing mountains after observing mountaineers from her hostel room in Jaipur. Curious, she joined them, discovering her passion for climbing.
2. During the Everest expedition, Santosh’s concern for her team-mates is evident when she provided special care to a dying climber and saved another by sharing her oxygen.
3. Santosh’s environmental concern is demonstrated as she collected and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas during her expeditions.
4. At the summit of Everest, Santosh felt the enormity of the moment, unfurled the Indian tricolour, and described the experience as indescribable and spiritual, evoking pride as an Indian.
5. Santosh Yadav entered the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest because she became the only woman in the world to achieve this feat twice.

III. Complete the following statements.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to _____
2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _____
3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her _____ while _____ endeared her to fellow climbers.

Answers:

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch villagers going up the Aravalli Hills and decided to explore it herself, discovering mountaineers and igniting her interest in climbing .
2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had enrolled in a mountaineering course in Uttarkashi without his permission.
3. 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 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): ________
2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): ________
3. the usual way of doing things (3): ________
4. a strong desire arising from within (5): ________
5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7): ________

Answers:

1. took to be true without proof (1): assumed
2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): rational
3. the usual way of doing things (3): custom
4. a strong desire arising from within (5): urge
5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7): resistance