CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 4: Travel and Adventure — Conquering the Summit Questions and Answers

Chapter 12: Conquering the Summit

Figure 1: Various Adventure Sports Activities

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.

The activities represented in the illustration are:

• First icon: Hang gliding
• Second icon: Mountain biking / Cycling
• Third icon: Rock climbing
• Fourth icon: River rafting

II. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions:

1. Why do you think people undertake the activities identified above?
   People undertake these adventure activities for excitement, thrill, pushing their physical and mental limits, and exploring nature.
2. How would they prepare for these activities?
   They prepare through rigorous physical training, learning specialized skills, taking safety instructions, using appropriate gear and safety equipment, and practicing under expert supervision.
3. Which one of them do you find the most exciting? Why?
   (Answers may vary) I find rock climbing the most exciting because it challenges both mental focus and physical endurance to scale vertical heights.

Figure 2: Qualities of a Mountaineer Word Web

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

Qualities of a mountaineer:

• Determination
• Physical endurance
• Mental fortitude
• Courage
• Discipline
• Resilience

Figure 3: Arunima Sinha at the Summit of Mount Everest holding the Indian Flag

Figure 4: The Seven Summits Conquered by Arunima Sinha

Figure 5: Cover of 'Born Again on the Mountain' by Arunima Sinha

Let us discuss

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

1. Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.
   This means that Arunima serves as an inspirational guide to others because she overcame a tragic accident, adapted to a prosthetic leg, and conquered great difficulties through strength of mind.
2. Arunima decided to climb Mount Everest despite losing her leg.
   Even after her leg was amputated following a harrowing train accident, she displayed an extraordinary will to live and set a goal to climb the highest mountain in the world.
3. Bachendri Pal's guidance was crucial in Arunima's journey to the summit of Mount Everest.
   Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Everest, instilled deep confidence in Arunima and encouraged her by stating that she had already conquered the Everest within herself.
4. Arunima's achievements go beyond just physical endurance.
   Her feat was not merely a test of physical strength, but also required incredible mental fortitude, willpower, positivity, and determination.
5. Arunima's autobiography inspires readers around the world.
   Her book, Born Again on the Mountain, shares her remarkable story of triumph over adversity, teaching readers never to give up on their goals.

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.

1. Complete the sentence with a suitable reason:
   Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because she had shown immense courage and determination to decide to climb Mount Everest with a prosthetic leg after such a tragic accident.
2. How might Arunima have felt after what Bachendri Pal told her?
   Arunima would have felt deeply inspired, confident, validated, and motivated to achieve her dream.
3. Choose a phrase from the extract which shows that reaching the summit of Mount Everest was tiring.
   "after 52 exhausting days"
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, "(iv) I finally realised my dream".

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What did Arunima do in order to fulfill her ambition of conquering Mount Everest?
   She completed a basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi, underwent eighteen months of rigorous training, and sought guidance from Bachendri Pal.
2. Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
   After losing her leg in a train accident, she refused to lose hope. Instead, she fitted a prosthetic leg, completed intense training, became the first female amputee to conquer Mount Everest, and successfully scaled the Seven Summits across seven continents.
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?
   The title is appropriate because losing her leg in an accident felt like losing everything, but by climbing mountains, she rediscovered her strength, purpose, identity, and global recognition.
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?
   It inspires readers to dream big, set meaningful and challenging goals, work hard, and overcome obstacles without fearing failure.

Let us learn

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

1. Nisha was relieved when the final match was over after several exhausting days of practice. → 3. periods of time filled with tiring and demanding activities
2. Despite several failures, her heartfelt attempts to learn the guitar showed her determination and passion for music. → 1. genuine, sincere efforts
3. 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. → 4. an incident or experience that significantly changes a person's life
4. Competing in the marathon requires not just physical strength but also mental fortitude to stay focused and finish the race. → 2. strength of mind
5. The lighthouse served as a beacon of hope for the sailors lost at sea. → 5. a source of inspiration or encouragement

II. Complete the following table by filling in the gaps with correct parts of speech mentioned.

Nouns	Adjectives	Verbs (present)	Adverbs
determination	determined	determine	determinedly
relief	relieved	relieve	relievedly
inspiration	inspiring / inspired	inspire	inspiringly
resistance	resistant	resist	resistantly
success	successful	succeed	successfully

III. 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.

Answers:

(i) an | (ii) a | (iii) The | (iv) x | (v) the | (vi) the | (vii) A / The | (viii) the | (ix) a | (x) the | (xi) a | (xii) the | (xiii) The | (xiv) a | (xv) x

III. 2. There is an error in each sentence that has been underlined. Correct the error in the following sentences.

1. We waited for a hour before the bus finally arrived. → an
2. The guide insisted on an uniform jacket for the group's safety during the trek. → a
3. Mount K2 is a second highest peak in the world. → the
4. A Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance. → The
5. Challenges are faced with courage and determination by a brave. → the
6. A North Star has guided travellers for centuries. → The

Let us listen

Match the statements 1-8 with the speakers (i)-(v). (Based on transcripts on page 177-178)

Speaker No.	Statement Matched
Speaker (i)	4. Expresses concern about the risks in adventure sports
Speaker (ii)	2. Finds adventure sports thrilling and exciting
Speaker (iii)	7. Focuses on the availability of training and supervision
Speaker (iv)	1. Talks about having basic activities in adventure sports
Speaker (v)	8. Finds exposure to risks unnecessary

Unused statements: 3, 5, 6

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 1 (School Student): "In my opinion, Physical Education should be included in school activities because it is fun, enjoyable, and helps us build confidence while exploring new sports."
• Role 2 (Parent): "From my point of view, while physical activities build fitness, my main concern is safety. I support this perspective because proper precautions must be taken to prevent injuries."
• Role 3 (Physical Education Teacher): "I believe that physical activities are highly valuable. One reason for this is that they help students overcome fear, develop teamwork, and gain unique experiences."
• Role 4 (Sports Camp Organiser): "I agree with the idea that sports are beneficial. We ensure safety by regularly inspecting gear so participants can enjoy thrilling activities in a safe environment."

Let us write

1. Read the letter given below and write the matching components from the provided box.

• [Address section top left]: Sender's Address
• [Date section]: Date
• [Target address section]: Receiver's Address
• Subject line: Subject
• Madam/Sir,: Salutation
• I am Sreelakshmi...: Introduction
• I would love to be...: Expression of interest
• I request you to grant...: Statement of request
• Yours sincerely,: Complimentary close
• Sreelakshmi: Signature line

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.

ABC School,
New Delhi

10 October 2026

The Principal,
ABC School,
New Delhi

Subject: Request to organize an excursion to a hill station for Grade 7

Respected Madam,

I am writing on behalf of the students of Grade 7. We would like to request you to kindly organize a short excursion to a nearby hill station, such as Shimla or Mussoorie, for our class.

An excursion will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to learn about nature, experience outdoor learning, and bond with our classmates. It will be both educational and refreshing.

We request you to grant us permission and make the necessary arrangements.

Yours sincerely,
Students of Grade 7

Figure 6: Scuba Diving Activity

Let us explore

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

Name	Area	Preferred Time of the Year	Equipment Required
snow skiing	snow-covered hills (e.g., Gulmarg, Auli)	Winter	skis, ski suit, pole, goggles, helmet
trekking	mountain trails, hills	Spring, Autumn, Winter	trekking boots, backpack, stick
camping	grassy areas, riverside sites	Spring, Autumn	tent, torch, sleeping bag
river rafting	fast-flowing rivers (e.g., Rishikesh)	All year round (except monsoon)	inflatable raft, life jacket, helmet, paddles
scuba diving	coastal areas (e.g., Andaman Islands)	Winter and Spring	scuba suit, mask, fins, oxygen tank

II. Prepare an information booklet with fact sheets of five Indian mountaineers. Include required details (Name, place of birth, profession, training received, sport known for, accomplishments/awards).

1. Arunima Sinha

• Place of Birth: Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
• Profession: Mountaineer, former Volleyball player
• Training Received: Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
• Sport: Mountaineering / Volleyball
• Accomplishments: Padma Shri, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, first female amputee to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits.

2. Bachendri Pal

• Place of Birth: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
• Profession: Mountaineer, Instructor
• Training Received: Nehru Institute of Mountaineering
• Sport: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest (1984), Padma Bhushan.

3. Tenzing Norgay

• Place of Birth: Tengboche, Nepal (later Indian citizen)
• Profession: Mountaineer, Guide
• Training Received: Practical high-altitude expedition experience
• Sport: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First person (along with Edmund Hillary) to summit Mount Everest in 1953, Padma Bhushan.

4. Santosh Yadav

• Place of Birth: Rewari, Haryana
• Profession: Mountaineer, Officer
• Training Received: Uttarkashi Mountaineering Institute
• Sport: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: First woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice, Padma Shri.

5. Malavath Purna

• Place of Birth: Nizamabad, Telangana
• Profession: Mountaineer
• Training Received: Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society
• Sport: Mountaineering
• Accomplishments: Youngest female to climb Mount Everest (at age 13).