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Conquering the Summit

NCERT Class 7 · English Based on NCERT Class 7 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter tells the inspiring true story of Arunima Sinha, a national-level volleyball player who lost her leg in a train accident but went on to conquer Mount Everest and become the first Indian female amputee to do so. It exists in the syllabus to teach students about resilience, determination, and the power of a positive mindset in overcoming adversity. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that true success comes from inner strength, hard work, and never giving up on worthy goals.
Key Concepts (20)
beacon
A source of inspiration or guidance that shows the way.
e.g. Like a lighthouse guiding ships, Arunima Sinha is a beacon of hope for people facing difficulties.
resilience
The ability to recover quickly from a difficulty or setback.
e.g. After failing a test, Ravi studied harder and improved — that is resilience.
amputated
Cut off a part of the body, usually by surgery, due to injury or disease.
e.g. Arunima's leg was amputated after the train accident because it was severely damaged.
prosthetic leg
An artificial leg that helps a person who has lost their leg to move around easily.
e.g. Arunima learned to walk again using a prosthetic leg and later climbed mountains with it.
feat
An achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength.
e.g. Climbing Mount Everest with a prosthetic leg is an incredible feat.
harrowing
Extremely disturbing and painful, causing great distress.
e.g. The hours after the accident were harrowing for Arunima and her family.
rigorous
Severe, strict, and demanding; requiring great effort.
e.g. Arunima underwent eighteen months of rigorous training to prepare for Everest.
endeavour
An attempt to do something, especially something difficult or new.
e.g. Climbing the seven summits of the world was a great endeavour for Arunima.
surge
A sudden and great increase in something, especially an emotion.
e.g. When Arunima reached the summit, she felt a surge of pride and relief.
endurance
The ability to continue doing something difficult for a long time without giving up.
e.g. Running a marathon requires both physical endurance and mental strength.
adversity
A difficult or challenging situation that tests one's strength.
e.g. Arunima faced great adversity after losing her leg, but she did not give up.
testament
Proof or evidence that something is true.
e.g. Arunima's success is a testament to the power of hard work and determination.
conferred
Given an official title, degree, or honour.
e.g. Arunima was conferred the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
fortitude
Courage and strength shown over a long period, especially in facing difficulties.
e.g. Arunima showed great fortitude during her 52-day climb to the summit.
summit
The highest point or peak of a mountain.
e.g. Arunima reached the summit of Mount Everest on 21 May 2013.
Padma Shri
The fourth highest civilian award in India, given for exceptional service in various fields.
e.g. Arunima Sinha was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015 for her mountaineering achievement.
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
A national award in India given for outstanding achievements in adventure sports.
e.g. Arunima Sinha received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for her mountaineering feats.
Seven Summits
The highest mountains on each of the seven continents.
e.g. Arunima Sinha completed the Seven Summits by climbing peaks in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America, North America, and Antarctica.
autobiography
A book written by a person about their own life.
e.g. Arunima's autobiography is titled 'Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back'.
life-altering event
An incident or experience that significantly changes a person's life.
e.g. The train accident was a life-altering event for Arunima, but she turned it into an opportunity.
How It Works
Arunima Sinha's Journey to Conquer Mount Everest
  1. Step 1: On 11 April 2011, Arunima met with a train accident that led to the amputation of her leg.
  2. Step 2: While recovering in hospital, she read an article about Mount Everest and resolved to climb it.
  3. Step 3: She received a prosthetic leg and underwent physiotherapy to learn to walk again.
  4. Step 4: She completed a basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
  5. Step 5: She underwent eighteen months of rigorous training to build physical and mental strength.
  6. Step 6: She approached Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest, for guidance and encouragement.
  7. Step 7: On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, she reached the summit of Mount Everest.
  8. Step 8: At the summit, she displayed the Indian flag and left a photograph of her idol, Swami Vivekananda.
  9. Step 9: She continued her journey and completed the Seven Summits by climbing peaks on all seven continents.
💡 Students often forget the sequence of events — especially that the accident happened in 2011 and the summit was in 2013, with 18 months of training in between. Also, remember that Bachendri Pal was her mentor.
Qualities of a Mountaineer (Word Web Activity)
  1. Step 1: Identify qualities such as courage, determination, physical fitness, mental fortitude, and teamwork.
  2. Step 2: Understand that mountaineering requires both physical endurance and mental strength.
  3. Step 3: Recognize that preparation includes training, proper equipment, and guidance from experts.
💡 Students often list only physical qualities. The chapter emphasizes mental fortitude and a positive mindset as equally important.
Using Articles (a, an, the) Correctly
  1. Step 1: Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a mountain, a prosthetic leg).
  2. Step 2: Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an amputee, an endeavour).
  3. Step 3: Use 'the' for specific or previously mentioned nouns (e.g., the summit, the Indian flag).
  4. Step 4: Use no article (x) for general plural nouns or uncountable nouns (e.g., challenges, courage).
💡 The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound, not the letter. For example, 'an hour' (h is silent) but 'a university' (u sounds like 'you').
Writing a Formal Letter (Request Letter)
  1. Step 1: Write the sender's address at the top left corner.
  2. Step 2: Write the date below the address.
  3. Step 3: Write the receiver's address (e.g., The Principal, School Name).
  4. Step 4: Write the subject line clearly (e.g., 'Request to Join Adventure Club').
  5. Step 5: Use a salutation like 'Madam/Sir'.
  6. Step 6: Write the body: introduction (who you are), statement of interest, and request.
  7. Step 7: Use a complimentary close like 'Yours sincerely'.
  8. Step 8: Sign your name below.
💡 Students often forget the subject line or write it in a vague way. Also, 'Yours sincerely' is used when the recipient's name is known; 'Yours faithfully' is used for 'Sir/Madam'.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'beacon' with 'beacon of hope'
✗ Arunima is a beacon because she climbed a mountain.
→ A 'beacon' is a source of inspiration, not just an achiever. The phrase 'beacon of hope' means she inspires others to overcome difficulties.
✓ Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience because her journey from a devastating accident to scaling Everest inspires others to never give up.
⚠ Mixing up 'summit' and 'summit' as verb and noun
✗ She summited the mountain and planted the flag at the summit.
→ While 'summit' can be used as a verb (to summit), the chapter uses 'summit' as a noun meaning the highest point. Using it as a verb is acceptable but not the focus of the chapter.
✓ She reached the summit of Mount Everest and planted the Indian flag there.
⚠ Forgetting the mentor's name
✗ Arunima was guided by an experienced mountaineer.
→ The chapter specifically names Bachendri Pal as the mentor. Leaving out the name loses marks.
✓ Arunima approached Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest, who guided and encouraged her.
⚠ Confusing 'Padma Shri' with other awards
✗ Arunima received the Padma Bhushan for her achievement.
→ Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award; Padma Bhushan is the third highest. The chapter clearly states Padma Shri.
✓ Arunima Sinha was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2015.
⚠ Misinterpreting 'conquered the Everest within you'
✗ Bachendri Pal meant that Arunima climbed Everest easily.
→ Bachendri Pal meant that Arunima had already overcome her biggest inner challenge — her fear and self-doubt — by deciding to climb with a prosthetic leg.
✓ Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because she had already overcome her inner fears and limitations by deciding to climb despite her disability.
⚠ Using wrong article with 'hour'
✗ We waited for a hour.
→ 'Hour' begins with a vowel sound (the 'h' is silent), so it should be 'an hour'.
✓ We waited for an hour.
Compare & Contrast
Type of strength required for mountaineering
Physical endurance
Mental fortitude
Physical endurance is the ability to continue physically demanding activities for a long time, while mental fortitude is the courage and positive mindset to stay focused and not give up even when the body is tired.
Location on a mountain
Summit
Base camp
The summit is the highest point or peak of a mountain, while the base camp is the starting point at the foot of the mountain where climbers begin their ascent.
Who writes the book
Autobiography
Biography
An autobiography is written by the person about their own life (e.g., Arunima wrote 'Born Again on the Mountain'), while a biography is written by someone else about another person's life.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 short answer question (2-3 marks), 1 long answer question (5 marks), and 1 grammar or writing task (3-5 marks)
Most asked: Arunima Sinha's accident and her decision to climb Everest · Qualities of a mountaineer (courage, determination, resilience) · Bachendri Pal's role as a mentor · Use of articles (a, an, the) in sentences · Formal letter writing (request letter)
Don't skip: Explain how Arunima Sinha's story is a testament to resilience and determination.; Describe the role of Bachendri Pal in Arunima's journey.; Write a formal letter to the principal requesting permission to join an adventure club.
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Arunima Sinha was a national-level volleyball player who lost her leg in a train accident on 11 April 2011.
  2. She decided to climb Mount Everest after reading an article about it while recovering in hospital.
  3. She completed a basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
  4. She underwent eighteen months of rigorous training before attempting Everest.
  5. Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest, guided and encouraged Arunima.
  6. Arunima reached the summit of Mount Everest on 21 May 2013 after 52 exhausting days.
  7. At the summit, she displayed the Indian flag and left a photograph of Swami Vivekananda.
  8. She became the first Indian female amputee to climb Mount Everest.
  9. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
  10. She also received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award and National Award for Best Female Mountaineer.
  11. Arunima completed the Seven Summits by climbing the highest peak on each continent.
  12. Her autobiography is titled 'Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back'.
  13. Bachendri Pal said, 'You have conquered the Everest within you; the world will realise it later.'
  14. Arunima's message is: 'Never give up and work hard. Always remember your goal and work on it.'
  15. Failure is not when we fall short of our goals; it is when we don't have goals worthy enough.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year did Arunima Sinha summit Mount Everest?

  • A. 2011
  • B. 2012
  • C. 2013 ✓
  • D. 2015

Answer: C — The text clearly states that on 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, Arunima Sinha reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Q2. What does the term 'prosthetic leg' mean?

  • A. A temporary support for walking
  • B. An artificial leg that helps people move around easily ✓
  • C. A leg that is broken and needs healing
  • D. A medical device to reduce pain in the leg

Answer: B — The glossary in the text defines prosthetic leg as 'an artificial leg that helps people to move around easily.'

Q3. Who guided Arunima Sinha in her journey to climb Mount Everest?

  • A. Swami Vivekananda
  • B. Her father, an army engineer
  • C. Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest ✓
  • D. Her coach from the volleyball team

Answer: C — The text states that Arunima approached Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest, to guide her in the endeavour.

Q4. Which of the following is NOT a mountain summit that Arunima Sinha climbed?

  • A. Mount Kanchenjunga in Asia ✓
  • B. Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa
  • C. Denali in North America
  • D. Mount Vinson in Antarctica

Answer: A — The text lists seven peaks: Everest, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Kosciuszko, Aconcagua, Denali, and Vinson—Kanchenjunga is not mentioned.

Q5. What does Bachendri Pal mean when she says 'you have conquered the Everest within you'?

  • A. Arunima has already climbed Mount Everest
  • B. Arunima's inner strength and determination are her greatest victory, surpassing the physical climb ✓
  • C. Arunima should focus only on mental training, not physical training
  • D. Arunima has defeated her fear of mountains

Answer: B — Bachendri's statement implies that overcoming one's doubts and deciding to climb despite losing a leg is the true conquest—the physical summit comes later.

Q6. Arunima was inspired to climb Mount Everest after reading an article in the hospital. How does this detail support the theme of the story?

  • A. It shows that Arunima only liked reading in the hospital
  • B. It demonstrates that even during the darkest moment, a small inspiration can spark an impossible dream and lead to extraordinary achievement ✓
  • C. It proves that mountain climbing is easy if you read about it first
  • D. It indicates that Arunima was bored during her hospital stay

Answer: B — The story emphasizes resilience and determination—finding inspiration during recovery and transforming it into a world-changing achievement shows the power of mindset.

Q7. According to Arunima, what is the real definition of failure?

  • A. Not reaching the summit of a mountain
  • B. Losing a limb in an accident
  • C. Not having goals that are worthy enough to pursue ✓
  • D. Feeling sad or depressed after a setback

Answer: C — Arunima explicitly states: 'Failure is not when we fall short of achieving our goals. It is when we don't have goals worthy enough.'

Q8. Why would Arunima's autobiography titled 'Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back' resonate with readers facing personal challenges?

  • A. Because it is a long and detailed book about climbing
  • B. Because it symbolizes transformation, showing that losing something physical does not mean losing hope, and that one can rebuild and achieve greater things ✓
  • C. Because it teaches readers how to climb mountains
  • D. Because it is a sad story about accidents

Answer: B — The title symbolizes Arunima's journey from loss (amputated leg) to discovery of inner strength and extraordinary achievement, offering hope to others facing adversity.

Q9. Which award is NOT mentioned as being conferred upon Arunima Sinha?

  • A. Padma Shri
  • B. Arjuna Award ✓
  • C. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award
  • D. National Award for Best Female Mountaineer

Answer: B — The text mentions Padma Shri, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, National Award for Best Female Mountaineer, and honorary doctorate—Arjuna Award is not mentioned.

Q10. How did Arunima's message 'Never give up and work hard' relate to her own life journey?

  • A. It was just something she said without meaning
  • B. Her life demonstrated this principle through her refusal to accept her disability as a limitation, completing 18 months of rigorous training, and summiting seven peaks across all continents ✓
  • C. It applied only to other people, not to her own achievements
  • D. She said it after completing her climb but did not follow it in other areas

Answer: B — Arunima's entire journey—from hospital to climbing mountains with a prosthetic leg—is a living example of perseverance, hard work, and refusing to give up despite enormous obstacles.

Flashcards

Who was Arunima Sinha and what was her major achievement?

Arunima Sinha was a national volleyball player who lost her leg in a 2011 train accident but became the first Indian female amputee to summit Mount Everest in 2013.

What does 'beacon of hope and resilience' mean in context of Arunima?

It means Arunima is a shining example and source of inspiration for others facing difficulties, showing how to recover and succeed despite severe challenges.

What was the significance of Bachendri Pal's statement 'you have conquered the Everest within you'?

Bachendri meant that Arunima's mental strength and determination to attempt climbing with a prosthetic leg was the real victory, even before reaching the physical summit.

Name the four major awards Arunima Sinha received for her achievements.

Padma Shri, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, National Award for Best Female Mountaineer, and honorary doctorate from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

What does 'prosthetic leg' mean?

A prosthetic leg is an artificial leg that helps people who have lost their natural leg to move around and function normally.

How many peaks did Arunima climb to complete the Seven Summits challenge?

Arunima summited seven peaks across all seven continents: Everest (Asia), Elbrus (Europe), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Kosciuszko (Australia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), and Vinson (Antarctica).

What inspired Arunima to decide to climb Mount Everest while in the hospital?

An article about Mount Everest that she read during her recovery period inspired her to make the profound decision to conquer the world's highest peak.

According to Arunima, what is the real definition of failure?

Arunima believes that failure is not falling short of achieving goals, but having goals that are not worthy or important enough to pursue.

What was the title of Arunima's autobiography and why is it significant?

Her autobiography is titled 'Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back,' symbolizing her transformation from losing her leg to gaining strength and purpose.

How long did it take Arunima to reach the summit of Mount Everest after starting the final climb?

It took her 52 exhausting days to reach the summit of Mount Everest on 21 May 2013.

Important Board Questions

What was the turning point in Arunima Sinha's life that led her to decide to climb Mount Everest? [2 marks]

Focus on the train accident of 11 April 2011, her hospitalization, amputation, and the article about Mount Everest that inspired her profound decision during recovery.

Explain how Bachendri Pal's statement 'you have conquered the Everest within you' represents the main theme of the story. What does it suggest about the nature of true victory? [3 marks]

Analyze that Bachendri meant Arunima's mental strength and determination were the real conquest; true victory is about overcoming inner doubts and limitations, not just physical achievement on a mountain.

Arunima Sinha's journey is described as 'a story of triumph over adversity.' Using evidence from the text, explain how her life demonstrates this theme and what message she conveys to people facing challenges today. [5 marks]

Discuss her resilience (recovery from accident), her setting worthy goals despite disability, her completion of seven summits (not just Everest), her awards and recognition, and her explicit message about failure and the importance of mindset; connect these to inspiration for people facing personal struggles.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Conquering the Summit

Q1. Assertion (A):

Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.

Reason (R):

She survived a train accident with amputation and went on to climb Mount Everest, inspiring millions with her story of triumph over adversity.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why Arunima is considered a beacon of hope. Her survival and subsequent achievement directly justify her status as an inspiration.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Bachendri Pal's statement 'you have conquered the Everest within you' was meant to discourage Arunima from climbing the actual mountain.

Reason (R):

Bachendri Pal was Arunima's guide and mentor who helped her prepare for the climb.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — Both the assertion and reason are false. The statement was meant to encourage Arunima by highlighting her inner strength, not discourage her. Additionally, it makes no sense that a mentor would discourage someone they're actively guiding and mentoring.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Arunima completed her basic mountaineering course before undergoing eighteen months of rigorous training.

Reason (R):

She needed theoretical knowledge before practical training could begin.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — The assertion is true—the passage clearly states this sequence of events. However, the reason is not the correct explanation. The text doesn't indicate that theoretical knowledge was the reason for this sequence; it was simply her preparation schedule to build the necessary skills progressively.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Conquering the Summit

Case Study:

Mira is a 13-year-old student who was inspired after reading about Arunima Sinha in her English textbook. She decides to set an ambitious goal to become a trained rock climber by age 16. However, after researching, she realizes that achieving this requires a basic climbing course (3 months), followed by intermediate training (6 months), and advanced preparation (12 months). Mira has limited financial resources and can only afford one type of training per year. She also faces family pressure to focus only on academics. Despite these obstacles, Mira decides to start with the basic course next summer.

Q1. What does Mira's decision to pursue climbing training despite obstacles demonstrate?

  • A. She is not serious about her academics
  • B. She is inspired by Arunima's example of pursuing goals despite difficulties ✓
  • C. She wants to become famous like Arunima Sinha
  • D. She does not care about her family's concerns

Answer: B

Q2. According to the passage, which of the following is a challenge Mira faces that is similar to challenges in Arunima's journey?

  • A. A train accident that impacts her physical ability
  • B. Family support that encourages her to pursue mountaineering
  • C. Limited resources and external pressures that test her commitment ✓
  • D. Lack of interest in sports and physical activities

Answer: C

Q3. If Mira follows Arunima's example of 'work hard and remember your goal,' what would be her most likely action plan?

  • A. Give up on climbing because it takes too long
  • B. Work part-time to earn money for training while maintaining her studies ✓
  • C. Convince her family that academics are not important
  • D. Only climb during school holidays without proper training

Answer: B

Q4. What can we infer about the importance of mentorship in Mira's climbing journey?

  • A. Mentorship is not necessary if you have a clear goal
  • B. Mentors will solve all your problems without effort
  • C. Like Arunima had Bachendri Pal's guidance, Mira should seek experienced climbers to guide her training ✓
  • D. Training courses are more important than having a mentor

Answer: C

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