Maharashtra Board Class 11 English Chapter 1.2 On To The Summit We Reach The Top Solutions

 

Question 1. Complete the web of different activities related to climbing.
Answer: The activities related to climbing shown in the completed web diagram are:

• Climbing (Central Activity)
• Bouldering
• Hill walking
• Ice climbing
• Rapelling
• Rock climbing
• Mountaineering
• Scrambling

These activities represent different styles and terrains associated with the sport of climbing.
In simple words: Climbing is not just one sport; it includes many different activities like walking up hills, climbing up ice or rocks, and using ropes to slide down steep cliffs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use clear, distinct terms when completing web diagrams to show a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

 

Question 2. There are certain prerequisites for Mountaineering. With reference to the following points develop a short dialogue between you and your friend about mountaineering.
Answer:
Me: Hi Rohan! I am planning to go on a mountaineering expedition next month. Are you interested in joining me?
Rohan: It sounds thrilling, but mountaineering isn't an easy task. It requires a lot of preparation and physical fitness.
Me: You are right. Excellent physical stamina and cardiovascular endurance are absolute prerequisites to survive high altitudes.
Rohan: Yes, and let's not forget mental toughness. One must remain calm and resilient during extreme weather conditions or emergencies.
Me: Definitely. We also need proper technical training, specialized gear like crampons and harnesses, and a reliable guide to ensure safety.
Rohan: That makes sense. If we prepare well and build our strength, we will surely have a safe and successful climb.
In simple words: Before going mountaineering, you must be physically fit, mentally strong, properly trained, and equipped with the right safety gear.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a dialogue, use natural conversational expressions and ensure all key prerequisites like fitness, mental strength, and equipment are clearly discussed.

Question 2. Discuss with your partner and complete the web diagram of factors to be considered for a mountaineering expedition. Write a dialogue based on it.
Factors:

• Time
• Distance
• Equipment
• Mental and physical fitness
• Clothes
• Training

Answer:
Ashish: Hey Mayank! When is your next plan for mountaineering?
Mayank: Yes, I am planning for some days in September – October. Are you interested in joining?
Ashish: Yes, I am. But I’m not very confident.
Mayank: Then we will go to Mount Kilimanjaro to start with. But before that you must begin with small practices like walking, stair climbing and maybe uphill hiking a bit.
Ashish: What are the usual equipments that we need? You must be having most of them?
Mayank: Honestly speaking, we need a lot of equipments and yes, I have some. But let’s visit a mountaineering equipment shop one day to get an idea of the latest ones, convenient as well as inexpensive. I have the basic ones like tent, headlight, map, compass, cap, jackets, gloves, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.
Ashish: Oh! You have quite a lot. Let’s visit the shop tomorrow.
Mayank: But you need to talk to a fitness expert to get the guidance because a fit climber spends less energy. He will suggest what type of fitness regime we should follow as well as can recommend a good trainer.
Ashish: Yes, I know. Mental and physical fitness are the main ingredients for the success of a mountaineer. Tomorrow, I’ll come to your place and we’ll plan everything. We have to start as soon as possible.
Mayank: You are most welcome. See you tomorrow.
In simple words: Planning a mountain climbing trip requires careful preparation of your schedule, physical fitness, proper clothing, and essential safety gear.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a dialogue, ensure the tone is natural and conversational, and cover all the points mentioned in the web diagram.

 

Question 3. Discuss various hazards and risks that a mountaineer/ trekker has to face in an expedition.
Answer: The hazards and risks for a mountaineer/trekker may be:
1. Extreme Weather: Sudden blizzards, heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, and strong winds can cause severe frostbite and hypothermia.
2. Altitude Sickness: As altitude increases, oxygen levels drop, leading to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and life-threatening conditions like pulmonary or cerebral edema.
3. Avalanches and Rockfalls: Unstable snow slopes or loose rocks can trigger sudden slides, burying or injuring climbers.
4. Crevasses: Deep, hidden cracks in glaciers can be covered by thin snow bridges, posing a constant danger of falling.
5. Physical Exhaustion and Dehydration: Climbing steep terrains with heavy loads causes extreme fatigue, and dry mountain air rapidly dehydrates the body.
6. Loss of Navigation: Poor visibility due to fog or snowstorms can cause climbers to lose their way and become stranded in remote areas. Proper preparation and high-quality safety gear are absolutely essential to survive these unpredictable mountain environments.
In simple words: Mountain climbers face dangerous challenges like freezing weather, lack of oxygen, falling rocks or snow, hidden cracks in the ice, and getting lost.

🎯 Exam Tip: List at least 4 to 5 distinct hazards with brief explanations to secure full marks in descriptive questions about mountaineering risks.

Key Hazards and Challenges in Mountaineering

• Bad visibility caused by bad weather (mist, rain, snow) or darkness is a major hazard.
• Snow and ice can make a simple path a very dangerous one, especially if there is a steep drop off near by.
• Rock fall is a common mishap during heavy snow and rain.
• Lightning can cause a major problem at some places.
• Flash floods due to storm might be risky.
• A mountaineer cannot ignore rain and wind. Rain makes the path towards upward climbing slippery and a strong wind can cause loss of balance of a mountaineer, making climbing impossible.
• Hypothermia, that is, lowering of the body’s natural temperature to 32° C due to wet clothing and heat loss because of strong wind, can be a big hindrance. If it is not treated immediately, severe hypothermia may occur leading to fatalities.
• Heat exhaustion and dehydration are very common problems because of difficult physical work.
• Timely care should be taken by pouring water on the victim to avoid heatstroke. The patient should be urgently given cold water mixed with a small amount of salt and sugar to refresh him.

 

(A1)

 

Question 1. Summarize, in your own words, the highly risky and dangerous journey of Tenzing and Hillary from the base to the top of Mount Everest.
Answer: Tenzing and Hillary were well-informed about the flat side of the summit, its steep rise, rocky and snowy sides too. It was decided that Tenzing would lead the mission followed by Hillary in the beginning and this position would be alternated. They would be tied together by a rope. They started early from camp nine. Tenzing carried the flags of Britain, the United Nations, Nepal and India to be put on the top of Mount Everest. Their determination remained unshaken despite the freezing temperatures and thin air. They steadily climbed for an hour and faced the difficulties of steep rocks on the west side. The last fifty feet to the top was made easier by their togetherness and they officially announced that without making any attempts to take the credit for
In simple words: Tenzing and Hillary worked closely as a team, overcoming steep rocks, cold weather, and dangerous paths to reach the top of Mount Everest together.

🎯 Exam Tip: When summarizing a journey, highlight the key challenges faced by the climbers and emphasize how teamwork helped them succeed.

A2

 

Question (i) Complete the web highlighting the feelings/emotions of Tenzing after reaching the summit.
Answer:
Tenzing's feelings and emotions after reaching the summit were:

• Gratitude to God
• Feeling fit with an absolute clear mind
• Determination for safe descent
• Very happy and excited

These feelings reflect his humility and focus even after achieving such an extraordinary milestone.
In simple words: After reaching the peak, Tenzing felt thankful to God, clear-headed, extremely happy, and focused on descending safely.

🎯 Exam Tip: When representing a web diagram in text, use clear bullet points to make your answers easy for the examiner to read.

 

Question (ii) Explain the qualities of Tenzing Norgay. Pick lines that show his unique qualities.
Answer:

Qualities	Lines
1. Patriotic	I told Colonel Hunt that I was carrying the Indian flag with me and I would like it to be on the top with other flags.

This gesture highlights his deep pride in representing his nation on the global stage.
In simple words: Tenzing showed his love for his country by carrying and placing the Indian flag at the summit of Mount Everest.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always quote the exact lines from the passage when asked to support a character trait or quality.

2. Unselfish	Our main thought was that both of us reached the top.
3. Non-controversial	We will not take part in any controversy.
4. Gratitude	My first thought on reaching the top was a sense of gratitude to God.

 

Question (iii) Write down the significance of the following in the context of 'On to the Summit':
(a) Red Scarf
(b) Husiar
(c) Kerosene Flavoured Tea
(d) Ice Axe
(e) Anchor
Answer:
(a) Red Scarf: The red scarf was given to Tenzing by his good friend Lambert who was the leader of the Swiss Expedition of 1952. This scarf reminded Tenzing of their successful mission, a year ago and rejuvenated him to feel fit, energetic, and excited for the completion of another mission.

(b) Husiar: This code-mixing makes Tenzing’s knowledge about mountaineering clearer to the readers. Both Tenzing and Hillary did not take it easy while climbing down. After successful completion, they were not over-confident and were fully aware of the technique and caution needed for the downward journey.

(c) Kerosene Flavored Tea: This tea was brought by C.W.F. Noyce for Tenzing and Hillary from camp eight and he had to do a lot of climbing up and down for that. Some amount of Kerosene got mixed with the tea as it was made in a hurry. Tenzing did not make Mr. Noyce feel guilty as both the mountaineers were grateful for getting hot tea at a time when they needed it the most. The gentleman had taken so much trouble to serve them tea and they were not bothered about its flavour.

(d) Ice Axe: Tenzing used his ice-axe to tie one end of the four flags of Britain, the United Nations and Nepal and the other end was held up by him. Hillary took his pictures holding these flags. The ice axe was also a crucial tool for safety and carving steps in the hard ice.

(e) Anchor: The climber who stays below acts as the anchor to secure the partner climbing above. This highlights the immense trust, coordination, and teamwork required between Tenzing and Hillary to survive the dangerous expedition.
In simple words: Each of these items and terms represents a key aspect of the climb, such as friendship (the scarf), safety (husiar and ice axe), gratitude (the tea), and teamwork (the anchor).

🎯 Exam Tip: For significance-based questions, write clear, separate paragraphs for each sub-part and highlight key thematic words like teamwork, friendship, and safety.

 

Question (e). Anchor
Answer: An anchor is a person who is strong and reliable. He makes people feel safe and confident. In mountaineering, the man who follows while climbing has a difficult job both in climbing up and climbing down. Tenzing and Hillary decided to alternate this job of anchoring so that the person leading feel safer. This proved that their expedition was a team-work where both shared the responsibility of being the anchor in order to have a successful mission. This mutual trust and support was essential for their historic climb.
In simple words: An anchor is a reliable team member who keeps everyone safe. In climbing, Tenzing and Hillary took turns being the anchor to support each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight how teamwork and alternating roles like anchoring contribute to the success of a difficult expedition.

 

(A3)

 

Question (i). Add suitable suffixes (- tion, ly, – ment, – ous) and prefixes (un, il, im) to the words given below.
Answer:

Word	Prefix	Suffix
absolute	–	absolutely
fulfill	unfulfill	fulfillment
determine	–	determination
danger	–	dangerous
tight	untight	tightly
clear	unclear	clearly
sure	unsure	surely
legal	illegal	legally
legitimate	illegitimate	legitimately
possible	impossible	possibly

In simple words: Prefixes are groups of letters added to the beginning of a word, and suffixes are added to the end, to create new words or change their meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that prefixes like 'il-' are used before words starting with 'l' (like legal), and 'im-' is used before words starting with 'p' (like possible).

(ii) 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.

 

Question (a) s _ g n _ d
Answer: signed - The advocate took all the signed documents to the court. This sentence correctly demonstrates the use of the past participle as an adjective.
In simple words: Fill in the blanks to make the word "signed" and use it to describe something, like "signed documents".

🎯 Exam Tip: When using a past participle as an adjective, ensure it directly describes a noun that follows it.

 

Question (b) p _ _ z _ d
Answer: prized - My grandmother’s diary is a prized possession for me. It highlights how a past participle can function as a descriptive word.
In simple words: Complete the word to get "prized" and use it to describe a valuable item, like a "prized possession".

🎯 Exam Tip: Make sure the spelling of the completed word is correct before writing your sentence.

 

Question (c) f _ _ t _ e n e _
Answer: flattened - On the highway we were in great trouble due to the flattened tyre. This shows how the word describes the state of the tyre.
In simple words: Fill in the letters to make "flattened" and use it to describe something that has become flat, like a "flattened tyre".

🎯 Exam Tip: Double-check the double letters in words like "flattened" to avoid spelling errors.

 

Question (d) b _ i _ e _
Answer: boiled - My sister loves to eat boiled egg. This clearly describes the condition of the egg.
In simple words: Complete the word to make "boiled" and use it to describe food, like a "boiled egg".

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep your sentences simple and grammatically correct to ensure you get full marks.

 

(iii) Spot the error in the following sentences.

 

Question (i) I was not afraid for die that day.
Answer: I was not afraid to die that day. The preposition "for" is replaced with the infinitive "to" to make the sentence grammatically correct.
In simple words: Change "afraid for die" to "afraid to die" because we use "to" before a verb in this context.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the adjective "afraid" is followed by the infinitive "to + verb" when expressing fear of doing an action.

 

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. The preposition "at" is corrected to "in" and the incorrect word "on" is changed to the article "a".
In simple words: Change "on pact" to "a pact" and "at the office" to "in the office" to make the sentence correct.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to articles (a/an/the) and prepositions (in/on/at) as they are common sources of errors in these questions.

Question (iii) I has to bring my ice axe down with me.
Answer: I had to bring my ice axe down with me. This correction changes the incorrect present tense 'has' to the correct past tense 'had' to match the narrative context of the journey.
In simple words: We change "has to" to "had to" because the action happened in the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the tense of the passage; auxiliary verbs must match the time frame of the events described.

 

Question (iv) Tenzing have spent a night with Camp Eight.
Answer: Tenzing had spent a night at Camp Eight. The singular subject 'Tenzing' requires the past perfect 'had' instead of 'have', and the preposition 'at' is correct for a specific location.
In simple words: Use "had" instead of "have" for a past action by a single person, and "at" instead of "with" for a place.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always use the preposition 'at' for specific points or locations like camps, stations, or addresses.

 

Question (v) Pact was signed from Tenzing and Hillary.
Answer: A pact was signed between Tenzing and Hillary. Adding the article 'A' makes the sentence complete, and 'between' is the correct preposition to use for two people.
In simple words: We add "A" at the start and use "between" because the agreement was made between two people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use 'between' when referring to two distinct people or things, and 'among' for more than two.

 

Question (vi) I and Hillary were in no mood of talking.
Answer: Hillary and I were in no mood for any talking. In English grammar, it is polite and correct to place the other person's name before 'I', and 'mood for' is the correct idiomatic phrase.
In simple words: Always put the other person's name first ("Hillary and I") and use "mood for" instead of "mood of".

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the politeness rule in English grammar: always place 'I' last when listing multiple subjects (e.g., 'My friend and I').

 

(A4)

 

Question 1. In passive voice the doer is the object and the job accomplished is the subject. The verb of passive voice is formed by using the correct form of verb ‘to be’ or verb ‘to have’ + past participle of the main verb. Construct the passive voice of the following sentences accordingly.
Answer: The passive voice shifts the focus from the person performing the action to the action itself or the recipient of that action.

Active Voice	Passive Voice
(i) We have done it.	(i) It has been done by us.
(ii) We made a pact.	(ii) A pact was made by us.
(iii) I offered silent prayer in my heart.	(iii) Silent prayer in my heart was offered by me.

In simple words: To change a sentence to passive voice, make the object (the receiver of the action) the new subject, and use a form of "to be" with the past participle of the verb.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to passive voice, ensure the tense of the verb 'to be' matches the original tense of the active sentence (e.g., 'made' becomes 'was made').

Active Voice	Passive Voice
(iv) Colonel Hunt gave me three flags.	(iv) Three flags were given to me by Colonel Hunt.
(v) I was carrying the Indian flag.	(v) The Indian flag was being carried by me.
(vi) I took photographs of Tenzing holding aloft the flags.	(vi) Photographs of Tenzing holding aloft the flags were taken by me.
(vii) I remembered him.	(vii) He was remembered by me.
(viii) We spent the night at Camp Eight.	(viii) The night was spent at Camp Eight by us.

 

(A5)

 

Question (i) Write in short about any adventure sport that you like and the risk involved in it.
Answer: I like Bunjee-jumping a lot and have taken part in it at Lonavala. Bungee-jumping, I am sure, many of you, know that it is an activity where the participant jumps from a tall structure but he is obviously connected to a large elastic cord. It is thrilling and one needs a lot of courage to take part in it since a number of risks are involved in it. Safety gear must always be checked thoroughly before attempting any jump. Most common injuries are fracture, strains, sprains, bruising, chronic stress features. But the most dangerous risk is acute head injuries. Lots of precautions are being taken by the organizers but one needs to think whether it is worth taking such risks just for the sake of adventure.
In simple words: Bungee jumping is an exciting sport where you jump from a high place while tied to a strong elastic rope. Although it is very thrilling, it carries risks of injuries like sprains or head trauma if safety rules are not followed.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing an adventure sport, clearly state both the excitement (thrill) and the specific physical risks involved to write a balanced answer.

 

Question (ii) Give your opinion: whether we should or should not participate in adventure sports because –
Answer: Every coin has two sides, so do adventure sports. Adventure sports do have some benefits. Participating in these sports helps us overcome our deepest fears. They are as follows:
1. Boost self-confidence.
In simple words: Adventure sports have both good and bad sides. On the positive side, taking part in them can help boost your self-confidence and make you feel more courageous.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always structure opinion-based answers by presenting both sides of the argument before concluding with your personal view.

 

Question (iii) 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 writing to you after a long time. These days I feel so lazy to write letters, thanks to modern technologies. But today, I am very excited. I went on my first trek last week and I wanted to share with you the details of my trekking experience. This journey has truly opened my eyes to the beauty of nature.

You obviously know, Maharashtra lies amidst the Western Ghats and it welcomes the rains to the beautiful ranges of the Sahayadris. Last week my close friends and I decided to go to Lonavala and from there to Lohagad Fort for trekking, which is for the beginners. We were told that Lohagad Fort trek was not very difficult. We could reach up to the fort to witness some of the most spectacular views in the Lonavala trekking region.
In simple words: This is a friendly letter describing the exciting experience of going on a first-ever trekking adventure to Lohagad Fort in Lonavala.

🎯 Exam Tip: For informal letters, always remember to write the sender's address and date on the top left, use a friendly salutation, and divide your thoughts into clear, readable paragraphs.

 

Question (iv) 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

Divisional Officer,
Satpuda Mountain Range,
Nagpur

Subject: Permission for organizing a mountaineering expedition.

Respected Sir,
I am writing this letter to request your kind permission to organize a college mountaineering expedition in the Satpuda Mountain Ranges. Our college planning committee has scheduled this trek for the upcoming winter break. We have a group of fifty enthusiastic students accompanied by three experienced instructors. We assure you that we will strictly adhere to all safety protocols and environmental guidelines during our stay. This expedition will help students develop leadership skills and a deep appreciation for nature.

We hope for a positive response from your end.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
Harshad Kale
College Representative
In simple words: This is a formal letter written by a college representative to a forest or mountain officer, asking for official permission to hold a student trekking trip in their area.

🎯 Exam Tip: In formal letters, always use a clear subject line and maintain a polite, respectful tone throughout the body of the letter.

Subject: Permission for the mountaineering expedition to be organized by our college.
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Harshad Kale, the College Representative of XYZ College of Arts and Commerce. On behalf of my Principal Dr. Sunil Patil I would request you to grant me the permission for organizing the mountaineering expedition.
I would like to inform you that NCC Unit of our college has planned for the mountaineering expedition from 25th to 30th July. The students who are selected for taking part are all expert trekkers and they will be accompanied by experienced mountaineers as well as our Professors who go regularly for trekking. Our Principal has instructed to arrange for all precautionary measures and is personally taking care of all arrangements.
We shall be obliged if you kindly permit us to carry on the expedition. Awaiting your positive response.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely Harshad Kale
Enclosed:
(a) Copy of the expedition programme.
(b) Letter of permission from Principal Dr. Sunil Patil

 

Question (v) Convert the above letter into an e-mail format.
Answer:
To: abc@gmail.com
Cc: qrs@gmail.com
Bcc: (non-visible email ids)
Subject: Permission for organising mountaineering expedition

Respected Sir/Madam,

This is Harshad Kale, the representative of XYZ college of Arts and Commerce. On behalf of my teachers and Principal, I request you to grant me the permission for organizing the mountaineering expedition. This outdoor activity will help students develop leadership skills and physical endurance.

Our college NCC Unit has planned this expedition from 25th to 30th July. The selected students are expert trekkers and will be accompanied by experienced mountaineers and professors. All safety precautions are being personally supervised by our Principal.

We would be highly obliged if you grant us permission. We have attached the expedition programme and the Principal's permission letter for your reference.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
Harshad Kale
(College Representative)

[Attachments: expedition_programme.pdf, principal_permission_letter.pdf]
In simple words: This is a formal email version of the permission letter. It includes standard email fields like 'To', 'Cc', and 'Subject' while keeping the message polite and clear.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting a formal letter to an email, remember to include essential email headers like 'To' and 'Subject', and keep the body concise and professional.

Comparisons

 

Question 1. Look at the sentences given below. Find out which one is correct. If the sentence is wrong give reasons.
(i) Sunita is the quieter of four sisters.
(ii) Sunita is the quietest of the four sisters.
(iii) Anil’s computer is more new than mine.
(iv) Anil’s computer is newer than mine.
(v) I have the wonderfullest mother in the world
Answer:
(i) The sentence is wrong. Reason: When more than two nouns are compared, the superlative adjective should be used, i.e., 'quietest'. This is because we are comparing Sunita to all three of her sisters.
(ii) The sentence is correct.
(iii) The sentence is wrong. Reason: 'More new' is the wrong form of the comparative degree of the adjective 'new'. The correct form is 'newer'.
(iv) The sentence is correct.
(v) The sentence is wrong. Reason: 'Wonderfullest' is the wrong form of the superlative degree of the adjective 'wonderful'. The correct form is 'most wonderful'.
In simple words: We use comparative adjectives (like newer) to compare two things, and superlative adjectives (like quietest or most wonderful) to compare three or more things. Some adjectives change their spelling, while others use 'more' or 'most'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that short adjectives usually take '-er' or '-est' (e.g., newer, quietest), while longer adjectives with three or more syllables use 'more' or 'most' (e.g., most wonderful).

Question (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’.
In simple words: We do not say 'wonderfullest'; instead, we say 'most wonderful' to show the highest degree of comparison.

🎯 Exam Tip: For longer adjectives, use 'more' or 'most' instead of adding '-er' or '-est' to the end of the word.

 

Question (vi) I have the most wonderful mother in the world.
(vii) Aditi is more carefuller than Mary.
Answer:
(vi) This is the correct sentence.
(vii) The sentence is wrong. Reason: ‘More carefuller’ is the wrong form of comparative degree of ‘careful’.
(viii) Aditi is more careful than Mary.
In simple words: We should not use 'more' and '-er' together. The correct comparative form of 'careful' is 'more careful'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Avoid double comparatives like 'more carefuller' in your writing to ensure grammatical correctness.

 

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 degree
In simple words: This sentence uses 'as bright as' to compare two people directly, which is the positive degree of comparison.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the positive degree by looking for the base form of the adjective used with 'as... as' or 'so... as'.

 

Question (b) The dining room is brighter than the kitchen.
Answer: Comparative degree
In simple words: This sentence compares two things using 'brighter than', which is the comparative degree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for the '-er' ending on the adjective followed by 'than' to easily identify the comparative degree.

 

Question (c) Anne is the brightest girl in class.
Answer: Superlative degree
In simple words: This sentence compares Anne to the whole class using 'the brightest', which is the highest or superlative degree.

🎯 Exam Tip: The superlative degree is always preceded by the article 'the' and usually ends in '-est' or uses 'most'.

 

(A7)

 

Project:

 

Question 1. 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. This physical bond represented their shared trust and mutual reliance during the perilous ascent.
In simple words: The rope was a symbol because it physically connected the two climbers, showing that they had to work as a team and share all the dangers and success together.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the keyword 'teamwork' and explain how the rope physically and metaphorically connected the two climbers.

 

Question 2. 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. Direct communication often clears up misunderstandings before they escalate further.
In simple words: Arguments and misunderstandings happen to everyone. The best way to solve them is by talking directly and kindly to the person involved to clear the air.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering personal experience questions, structure your response with a beginning, the conflict, and a positive resolution.

 

Question 3. 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. These simple offerings represented his deep respect for the mountain and his family's love.
In simple words: Tenzing celebrated by hugging Hillary, thanking God through silent prayer, and leaving simple gifts like food and his daughter's blue pencil at the summit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Make sure to list both the physical celebration (embracing) and the spiritual celebration (praying and offerings) to get full marks.

3. Hillary took the photograph of Tenzing holding aloft the flags of Great Britain, Nepal, the United Nations and India.

Comprehension

Read the Extract and Complete the Activities Given Below.

Global Understanding

 

Question 1. Complete the web on climbing the summit by Tenzing and Hillary.
Answer:
Climbing the summit by Tenzing and Hillary:
• One hour of steady climb
• Reach the summit keeping stable pace
• Cross steep rocks
• Snow covered incline
These key elements highlight the physical challenges and strategies used during the final ascent.
In simple words: To reach the top of the mountain, Tenzing and Hillary had to climb steadily for an hour, cross steep rocks, walk over snow-covered slopes, and maintain a steady pace.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing a web diagram, ensure all key points from the passage are captured accurately and presented clearly.

 

Question 2. Rewrite the given sentences in their order of occurrence.
1. I ate some biscuits and offered some to Hillary.
2. I wore the red scarf given to me by my friend, all the way up the mountain from Darjeeling.
3. I offered a silent prayer to God in my heart.
4. At the summit I felt absolutely fit.
5. My daughter Nima gave me a blue pencil, one of her prized possessions, to put at the summit as her offering to God.
Answer:
3. I offered a silent prayer to God in my heart.
5. My daughter Nima gave me a blue pencil, one of her prized possessions, to put at the summit as her offering to God.
1. I ate some biscuits and offered some to Hillary.
2. I wore the red scarf given to me by my friend, all the way up the mountain from Darjeeling.
4. At the summit I felt absolutely fit.
This chronological sequence helps us understand the step-by-step journey of the climbers as they reached the peak.
In simple words: This rearranges the events in the exact order they actually happened during the climb, starting with the prayer and ending with feeling fit at the top.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully to track the chronological sequence of events before numbering them.

Complex Factual

 

Question 1. Why didn’t it matter for Tenzing to be the first one to reach the summit?
Answer: Both Tenzing and Hillary were not thinking of being the first to reach the summit since climbing took all their attention. Their main thought was that one could not do that job alone and only a difference of one thousand feet could decide the position which could be found by the person coming behind. They operated as a single unit rather than competitors.
In simple words: Tenzing and Hillary cared more about reaching the top safely together than who got there first. They knew that climbing Mt. Everest was a team effort that no one could do alone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the concept of teamwork and mutual support to show why individual glory did not matter to them.

 

Question 2. Why didn’t Tenzing feel tired after reaching the summit?
Answer: After reaching the summit Tenzing felt exhilarated. He forget about the tiredness. His first thought was a sense of gratitude to god who had blessed him with the fulfillment of his desire after having failed six time. The sheer joy of accomplishment completely overshadowed his physical exhaustion.
In simple words: Tenzing was so happy and thankful to have finally reached the top after six failed attempts that he forgot all his tiredness. His excitement and gratitude gave him new energy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention his feeling of gratitude towards God and his previous failed attempts to explain his state of mind.

 

Inference / Interpretation / Analysis

 

Question 1. Explain. “The rope was a symbol”
Answer: The rope was a symbol of togetherness of Hillary and Tenzing as it was used to tie them, one following the other. It was also the proof that climbing the summit of Mt. Everest needed a teamwork and the two members of their team respected and considered each other important. It physically and metaphorically bound their fates together during the historic climb.
In simple words: The rope connecting the two climbers showed that they were a team. It proved that they had to work together and trust each other completely to succeed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use keywords like 'togetherness', 'teamwork', and 'mutual respect' when explaining the symbolism of the rope.

 

Question 2. Explain. “He gave me a big smile, showing that he understood.”
Answer: Hillary smiled because he understood the emotion of Tenzing. The blue pencil was given to Tenzing by his youngest daughter, Nima, and it was one of her prized possessions. She parted with it with the expectation that her father would conquer the summit and leave it there as a gesture of her love.
In simple words: Hillary understood how much the blue pencil meant to Tenzing and his daughter. His smile showed his silent support and shared joy for Tenzing's family gesture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the connection of the blue pencil to Tenzing's daughter Nima to show why the gesture was so emotional.

Personal Response

 

Question 1. Pick up one sentence to show one quality of Tenzing that you have appreciated the most in his story. Explain your answer.
Answer: The sentence “What does it matter whether I reached the top first or Hillary?” shows the unselfish character of Tenzing. He had the opportunity to claim that he reached the summit first as he was walking first and Hillary was behind him. But he did not take the credit as he knew it was a team work. Accomplishing the job was more important than taking credit for it. This selfless attitude is a true mark of a great leader.
In simple words: Tenzing showed he cared more about the team's success than personal fame. He did not care who got the credit for reaching the top first.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character trait, always quote the specific line from the text that supports your analysis.

 

Question 2. Mention some of the benefits of trekking trips organized by colleges for the students.
Answer:
1. The students get more exposure and experience.
2. They get close to nature.
3. They learn to handle adverse situations.
Additionally, such outdoor adventures help build strong bonds of friendship and cooperation among classmates.
In simple words: Trekking helps students learn real-life skills, appreciate nature, and become more resilient when facing difficult challenges.

🎯 Exam Tip: Present your points clearly using a numbered list to make it easy for the examiner to read and grade.

 

Language Study

 

Question (i) You have many more important worries. (Change the degree)
Answer: This worry is not as important as many other worries you have. This changes the sentence from comparative to positive degree while keeping the meaning intact.
In simple words: We rewrite the sentence using 'not as... as' to compare the worries without changing the original meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that when changing the degree of comparison, the core meaning of the sentence must remain exactly the same.

 

Question (ii) Most of the time the rope was loose. (Make negative)
Answer: Most of the time the rope was not tight. Using the antonym of 'loose' helps maintain the original meaning in the negative form.
In simple words: To make a sentence negative without changing its meaning, we use 'not' along with the opposite word of the main adjective.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to a negative sentence, avoid changing the meaning; use 'not' combined with the antonym of the key word.

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Question (iii) My mind was absolutely clear. (Use past perfect tense and rewrite)
Answer: My mind had been absolutely clear. This helped me focus entirely on the task ahead.
In simple words: To change 'was' into the past perfect tense, we use 'had been' to show an action completed in the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that past perfect tense always uses 'had' followed by the past participle form of the verb ('been' for 'was').

 

Question (iv) My first thought on reaching the top was a sense of gratitude to God. (Use ‘When’ and rewrite)
Answer: When I reached the top, my first thought was a sense of gratitude to God. I felt deeply blessed to have made it safely.
In simple words: We start the sentence with 'When' to show the exact moment the action of reaching the top happened.

🎯 Exam Tip: When starting a sentence with 'When', always place a comma at the end of the introductory clause before starting the main clause.

Vocabulary

 

Question 1. Add suffixes to convert the following verbs into nouns.
1. confirm
2. know
3. near
4. move
Answer:
1. confirmation
2. knowledge
3. nearness
4. movement
These noun forms are essential for building a strong vocabulary.
In simple words: We add endings like '-ation', '-ledge', '-ness', and '-ment' to verbs to turn them into naming words (nouns).

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to spelling changes when adding suffixes, such as dropping or changing letters to form the correct noun.

 

Question 2. Give one word for:
1. satisfy one’s thirst
2. very happy and excited
Answer:
1. quench
2. elated
These precise terms help make writing more vivid and expressive.
In simple words: We use single words like 'quench' and 'elated' to describe these actions and feelings in a shorter way.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learning one-word substitutes is an excellent way to improve your vocabulary and score high in language study.

Vocabulary

• quench
• exhilaration

 

Glossary

• anchor - support / production
• steep - high / sharp
• expedition - mission
• incline - slope
• taut - tightly
• bulky - large
• descent - going down / coming down
• spared - saved
• flushed - glowed
• alternated - changing places
• sloping - slanting up or down
• summit - the highest point of a hill or mountain
• controversy - prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion
• pact - a formal agreement between individuals or parties
• ridge - a long narrow piece of raised land
• embrace - hug, hold (someone) closely in one’s arms
• accord - agreement, be harmonious or consistent with
• quench - satisfy one’s thirst
• exhilarated - very happy and excited
• gale - strong wind
• apparently - as far as one knows or one can see.