NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Unit 4 Travel and Adventure Chapter 12 Conquering the Summit (Biographical Prose)

Page 166

Conquering the Summit - Let us do these activities before we read

I. Identify the activities represented by the icons given below. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Answer:
1. Paragliding
2. Uphill cycling
3. Uphill climbing
4. River rafting

II. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions.

Question 1. Why do you think people undertake the activities identified above?
Answer: People take part in these activities because they enjoy the thrill and excitement that comes with adventure. These pursuits test their physical and mental strength, give them a chance to have fun, and allow them to experience the beauty of nature in thrilling ways.

Question 2. How would they prepare for these activities?
Answer: Getting ready for adventure activities like these calls for people to be both physically fit and mentally tough. They need to go through proper training, learn about weather patterns and conditions, and make sure all their gear and equipment are in good working order before they start.

Question 3. Which one of them do you find the most exciting? Why? Share your answers with the teacher.
Answer: Paragliding stands out as the most thrilling choice because it gives you the feeling of soaring through the air. You get stunning views from high up, and the rush of adrenaline while drifting through the sky is unmatched. The blend of risk and freedom makes the experience truly memorable and unforgettable.

Note: The answers given here are suggestive. Students should write their own views.

III. Work in pairs to complete the word web given below. Share the answers with the teacher.

Qualities of a mountaineer:
Physical fitness, Survival skills, Mental toughness, Teamwork and leadership, Courage, Discipline and preparation

Conquering the Summit - Let us discuss

I. Read the statements given below and explain each statement in your words.

Question 1. Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.
Answer: Arunima Sinha serves as an inspiration to many people around the world because she overcame tremendous difficulties and hardships. Even after losing her leg in a terrible accident, she refused to let this define who she was. Instead, she showed amazing inner strength and never gave up, which proves that with strong willpower and a positive attitude, anyone can reach their highest goals, no matter how hard the path may seem.

Question 2. Arunima decided to climb Mount Everest despite losing her leg.
Answer: A serious accident took away Arunima's leg, and at that point, she had every reason to abandon her dreams. Yet she picked a path that few would have chosen - she set out to reach the top of the world's tallest mountain. Her unwavering commitment and bravery allowed her to turn what seemed like the end of her journey into one of her greatest triumphs.

Question 3. Bachendri Pal's guidance was crucial in Arunima's journey to the summit of Mount Everest.
Answer: Being the first Indian woman to reach Mount Everest's peak, Bachendri Pal possessed deep experience and valuable knowledge about mountaineering. She took Arunima under her wing, offering her support through preparation sessions, teaching methods, and constant encouragement. The help and confidence she passed on to Arunima gave her the tools and self-belief needed to tackle such an immense and dangerous climb.

Question 4. Arunima's achievements go beyond just physical endurance.
Answer: Reaching the peak of Mount Everest calls for tremendous bodily strength and power, yet Arunima's climb represented much more than just physical toughness. Her journey showed the world the force of her spirit and her refusal to quit. Her feats stand for overcoming physical limits, but equally for inspiring countless others to refuse giving in when faced with hardship, regardless of how dire their circumstances seem.

Question 5. Arunima's autobiography inspires readers around the world.
Answer: The life story Arunima shares in her book describes both her struggles and her victories, moving readers everywhere. Her path from loss to achievement shows readers that they too can trust themselves, work hard, and face difficulties with strength. Her tale demonstrates that no barrier is too great to get past if you truly want to win.

Page 170

Conquering the Summit - Let us think and reflect

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Bachendri Pal instilled confidence in Arunima and said, "My child, you decided to climb Mount Everest in these situations with a prosthetic leg—you have conquered the Everest within you; the world will realise it later." On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, Arunima Sinha reached the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at the top of the world, she felt a surge of emotions—pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of achievement.

Question 1. Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because ___________.
Answer: She decided to climb Mount Everest with a prosthetic leg.

Question 2. How might Arunima have felt after what Bachendri Pal told her?
Answer: Arunima probably felt boosted and driven forward after hearing Bachendri Pal's powerful words. She most likely felt supported and assured, knowing that an accomplished and experienced climber had faith in her talents. These encouraging words would have made her stronger in her desire to reach her target.

Question 3. Choose a phrase from the extract which shows that reaching the summit of Mount Everest was tiring.
Answer: The phrase "after 52 exhausting days" from the extract clearly shows that reaching the summit of Mount Everest was tiring.

Question 4. Select the correct option to complete the sentence. After her success when Arunima felt 'an overwhelming sense of achievement', she would have most likely said, "___________"
(i) I am confident of my abilities
(ii) I will accomplish this soon
(iii) I am excited to begin this climb
(iv) I finally realised my dream
Answer: (iv) I finally realised my dream

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What did Arunima do in order to fulfill her ambition of conquering Mount Everest?
Answer: To chase her dream, Arunima joined a basic mountaineering training program at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi. After finishing her course, she reached out to Bachendri Pal to ask for her help and direction so she could work toward reaching the top of Mount Everest.

Question 2. Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
Answer: Arunima Sinha is truly a beacon of hope and resilience because she went through a heartbreaking accident that cost her her leg, yet she managed to accomplish something remarkable. Rather than accept defeat, she worked hard with discipline and became the first woman with an amputation to reach Mount Everest's top. Her strong will and bold spirit inspire countless people to face their own struggles with courage and to never lose faith.

Question 3. Arunima's autobiography is titled Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back. Why do you think this title is appropriate?
Answer: The title "Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding it Back" fits Arunima's story well because it captures her path of change and strength through hard times. The title's opening words show how Arunima did not give up after losing her leg but instead gave herself a fresh start with a brand new purpose, almost like getting a second life. Mount Everest becomes the place where this rebirth happens - the peak stands for her triumph over the barriers she faced. In the final part of the title, we see how Arunima lost her leg and her sports career, but through her work as a climber, she discovered a fresh reason to keep going and reclaimed the ability to chase her goals.

Question 4. Arunima says, "Failure is when we don't have goals worthy enough." What would be the most likely impact of this statement on readers?
Answer: Arunima's words push readers to come up with meaningful goals and think of failure differently - not as defeat but as the absence of real ambition. The statement moves people to work harder, think deeply about themselves, and build the kind of mindset that wants to grow. Through stressing how crucial it is to have real, important goals, it gives readers the drive to push forward despite obstacles, helping them grow stronger in their resolve and sharper in their focus.

Pages 171-172

Conquering the Summit - Let us Learn

I. Read the underlined phrases in sentences (i)-(v) and match them with their appropriate meanings given in the box below.

Meanings: 1. genuine, sincere efforts 2. strength of mind 3. periods of time filled with tiring and demanding activities 4. an incident or experience that significantly changes a person's life 5. a source of inspiration or encouragement

(i) Nisha was relieved when the final match was over after several exhausting days of practice.
(ii) Despite several failures, her heartfelt attempts to learn the guitar showed her determination and passion for music.
(iii) Moving to a new city was a life-altering event for Jagan, as it gave him the chance to make new friends and try different activities.
(iv) Competing in the marathon requires not just physical strength but also mental fortitude to stay focused and finish the race.
(v) The lighthouse served as a beacon of hope for the sailors lost at sea.

Answer: (i) - 3, (ii) - 1, (iii) - 4, (iv) - 2, (v) - 5

II. Complete the following table by filling in the gaps with correct parts of speech mentioned. An example has been done for you.

III. Study the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.

• Arunima made a vow that many would deem impossible.
• Her father was an army engineer.
• Standing at the top of the world, she felt a surge of emotions—pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of achievement.
• She planted the Indian flag at the summit and left behind a photograph of her idol, Swami Vivekananda.
• Arunima Sinha's journey from a devastating accident to scaling the highest peak in the world stands as a beacon of hope and resilience.

Grammar Note: The highlighted words are articles. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles; 'the' is the definite article. The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that follows the article, specifically the initial sound of the word that follows.

Question 1. Fill in the blanks with 'a', 'an', 'the'. Put an 'x' where no article is required.
We planned (i) _______ adventurous trip to (ii) _______ remote island. (iii) _______ island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) _______ diverse wildlife. On (v) _______ first day, we set out to explore (vi) _______ island's dense jungle. (vii) _______ guide led us through (viii) _______ thick foliage and showed us (ix) _______ hidden waterfall. In (x) _______ evening, we gathered around (xi) _______ campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) _______ meal we cooked. (xiii) _______ experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) _______ connection with (xv) _______ nature.

Answer: We planned (i) an adventurous trip to (ii) a remote island. (iii) The island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) x diverse wildlife. On (v) the first day, we set out to explore (vi) the island's dense jungle. (vii) The guide led us through (viii) the thick foliage and showed us (ix) a hidden waterfall. In (x) the evening, we gathered around (xi) a campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) the meal we cooked. (xiii) The experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) a connection with (xv) x nature.

Question 2. There is an error in each sentence that has been underlined. Correct the error in the following sentences.
(i) We waited for a hour before the bus finally arrived.
Answer: an

(ii) The guide insisted on an uniform jacket for the group's safety during the trek.
Answer: a

(iii) Mount K2 is a second highest peak in the world.
Answer: the

(iv) A Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance.
Answer: The

(v) Challenges are faced with courage and determination by a brave.
Answer: the

(vi) A North Star has guided travellers for centuries.
Answer: The

Page 173

Conquering the Summit - Let us listen

You will listen to five speakers share their opinion about adventure sports. As you listen, match the statements 1-8 with the speakers (i)-(v). There are three extra statements that you do not need. (Transcript for the teacher on NCERT page 177)

Answer:

Pages 173-174

Conquering the Summit - Let us speak

In groups of four, select a role from 1-4 given below and speak about the views allotted to each. Use the prompts and vocabulary given. Take turns to express your opinions, agreement, and disagreement.

Role-Specific Prompts
1. School Student: Talk about why you think Physical Education should be included in school activities.
2. Parent: Discuss your concerns or support for your child participating in Physical Education activities.
3. Physical Education Teacher: Share your experiences about Physical Education activities and why you think they are valuable.
4. Sports Camp Organiser: Explain how you ensure safety and why you believe sports are beneficial for participants.

Vocabulary you may use: precautions, unique experiences, fun, safe, enjoyable, thrilling, builds confidence, concern, explore, overcome fear, participate

Speaking Prompts:

• In my opinion...
• From my point of view...
• One reason for this is...
• I disagree with the notion that...
• I support this perspective because...
• I find it hard to agree because...
• I believe that...
• I disagree with...
• I agree with the idea that...

Suggested Answers:

1. School student: In my opinion Physical Education should be included in school activities because it helps build confidence and keeps students healthy. One reason for this is that it makes learning fun and encourages teamwork.

2. Parent: From my point of view, Physical Education is important for children because it helps them discover what they are capable of and overcome their worries. However, I do have a worry about how safe they will be, so proper safety steps must be taken.

3. Physical Education Teacher: I believe that Physical Education is valuable because it gives students unique experiences and makes them strong both in body and mind. I support this perspective because sports teach discipline and teamwork.

4. Sports camp organiser: I agree with the idea that sports are beneficial as they are thrilling, safe and enjoyable. I make sure everyone stays safe by taking proper precautions and training participants well before activities.

Pages 174-175

Conquering the Summit - Let us write

Read the various components of a formal letter from the box given below.

complimentary close, receiver's address, subject, date, introduction, statement of request, expression of interest, salutation, signature line, sender's address

Question 1. Now, read the letter given below and write the matching components.

Answer:
Sender's Address - sender's address
Date - date
Receiver's Address - receiver's address
Subject: Request to join Adventure Club - subject
Madam/Sir - salutation
I am Sreelakshmi, a student of Grade 7-C. I am interested in adventure activities like trekking, hiking, rope climbing, and exploring sites of natural beauty. - introduction
I would love to be a part of the Adventure Club of the school and participate in the adventure activities organised. - statement of request
I request you to grant me permission to join the club. - expression of interest
Yours sincerely - complimentary close
Sreelakshmi - signature line

Question 2. Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting her to organise an excursion to a nearby hill station for Grade 7 students of your school.

Answer:

Rosebud International School
Dwarka, Delhi

15th September, 2025

To The Principal
Rosebud International School
Dwarka, Delhi

Subject: Request to organise an excursion to a nearby hill station for Grade 7 students

Respected Madam,

I am writing on behalf of the students of Grade 7 to request an excursion to a nearby hill station. Such a trip would be both educational and refreshing, allowing students to discover nature, learn about the environment, and take part in outdoor activities. A visit to a hill station would also give students a break from their usual studies and help build their teamwork and self-belief.

We promise you that we will follow all safety rules and guidelines during the trip. We humbly request you to think about our idea and permit us to go on this excursion. We would be very grateful if the school could arrange for the transportation we need and the adults to watch over us.

Looking forward to your positive response.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Sonal Mishra
Class 7 A

Page 175

Conquering the Summit - Let us explore

I. Find out more information about the following adventure sports in our country and complete the table given below.

II. Prepare an information booklet with fact sheets of five Indian mountaineers. Include the following information in the fact sheet: 1. Name (and photograph, if available) 2. Place of birth 3. Profession 4. Accomplishments - awards or honours 5. Training received 6. Sport known for (if any)