The Summit Within
Theme:
Overcoming mental obstacles can make it easier to overcome other obstacles. Draws a
parallel between the physical challenges of climbing a mountain and the mental struggles
people face.
Message:
People can overcome internal struggles by developing qualities like endurance,
persistence, and willpower. Also conveys that climbing a summit within oneself is similar to
climbing a physical mountain and can lead to a sense of peace and serenity.
Frame Sentences:
1. Panorama
2. Unscalable
Reference to Context Question
Passage:
All these thoughts led me to question myself as to why people climb mountains. It is
not easy to answer the question. The simplest answer would be, as others have said,
“Because it is there.” It presents great difficulties. Man takes delight in overcoming
obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit
means endurance, persistence and will power. The demonstration of these physical
qualities is no doubt exhilarating, as it was for me also.
I have a more personal answer to the question. From my childhood I have been
attracted by mountains. I had been miserable, lost, when away from mountains, in the
plains. Mountains are nature at its best. Their beauty and majesty pose a great
challenge, and like many, I believe that mountains are a means of communion with
God.
Questions:
1. What is the simplest answer the author gives to why people climb mountains?
2. According to the passage, what qualities does mountain climbing require?
3. Find words from the passage that mean:
a. Feeling of intense happiness or excitement
b. Communication or connection with a higher power
4. What is the tone of the passage?
a. Spiritual and reflective
b. Humorous and light-hearted
c. Critical and argumentative
d. Pessimistic and gloomy
5. Assertion and Reason Question:
Assertion (A): Mountain climbing is a demonstration of endurance and
persistence.
Reason (R): Overcoming obstacles, both physical and mental, is the key to
reaching the summit.
a. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
b. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
c. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
d. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answers:
1. The simplest answer the author gives is "Because it is there." This answer is
often cited by others, suggesting that people climb mountains simply
because they are present and pose a challenge.
2. According to the passage, mountain climbing requires endurance,
persistence, and willpower. These physical qualities are necessary for
overcoming the obstacles posed by climbing a mountain.
3. a. Exhilarating, b. Communion
4. a. Spiritual and reflective
5. a. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Short Answer Type Questions
2 questions will be framed by students.
Long Answer Type Questions
2 questions will be framed by students.
