1. What is the name of the protagonist of the story? What unique achievement did she make?
The protagonist of the story is Santosh Yadav. She is the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice. This great achievement made her famous and inspired many young girls in India.
2. Which type of dresses did Santosh prefer to wear?
Santosh preferred to wear shorts and shirts instead of traditional dresses. She liked comfortable clothes because she wanted to live freely like boys and take part in outdoor activities and adventurous work.
3. How many siblings did Santosh have? How many brothers and sisters in all were they?
Santosh had five siblings. Altogether, there were six children in her family, including Santosh. She had more brothers than sisters and lived in a large joint family in her village.
4. Santosh’s parents were affluent landowners; then why did they not send her to a good school?
Although Santosh’s parents were affluent landowners, they did not send her to a good school because girls’ education was not considered important. They believed that girls should manage household work and get married early.
5. What happened to most of the girls in Santosh’s village when they were sixteen?
Most girls in Santosh’s village were married by the age of sixteen. They were not allowed to continue their studies and had to accept early marriage as a common social custom.
6. What condition of her marriage did she put before her parents?
Santosh put a condition before her parents that she would marry only after completing her education. She clearly said that if they wanted her marriage, they must allow her to study further.
7. When did her parents agree to pay for her education?
Her parents agreed to pay for her education when Santosh firmly refused to marry early. Seeing her strong determination and courage, they accepted her condition and allowed her to continue her studies.
8. What was the name of the school at Jaipur that she joined? Also tell the name of the hostel where she lived.
Santosh joined Maharani College in Jaipur. She lived in Kasturba Hostel during her studies. From her hostel room, she developed interest in mountaineering by watching climbers from a distance.
9. What did her hostel face, and what used she to watch from her room?
Her hostel faced the Aravalli hills. From her room, Santosh used to watch mountaineers climbing the hills. This daily sight filled her with excitement and created a strong desire to become a mountaineer.
10. What did she ask the mountaineers, and what was a pleasant surprise to her?
Santosh asked the mountaineers many questions about climbing mountains. A pleasant surprise for her was that they answered kindly and encouraged her interest, which motivated her to take mountaineering seriously.
11. How did she manage to join a course in Uttarkashi? What was the name of the institute she joined?
Santosh saved money and convinced her parents to join a course in Uttarkashi. She joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, where she received proper training in mountaineering.
12. After joining the Uttarkashi institute, what did she do every year?
After joining the Uttarkashi institute, Santosh took part in at least one mountaineering expedition every year. Regular practice and experience helped her improve her skills and become a successful mountaineer.
13. At what age did she scale Mt Everest? How was this event remarkable?
Santosh Yadav scaled Mount Everest at the age of twenty-five. This event was remarkable because she became the youngest woman to climb Everest and later became the only woman to climb it twice.
14. What impressed her seniors, and made her dear to her fellow climbers?
Her hard work, discipline, and willingness to help others impressed her seniors. She shared food and equipment with fellow climbers, which made her popular and dear among her team members.
15. In 1992, what happened to two of her fellow climbers?
In 1992, during the Everest expedition, two of Santosh Yadav’s fellow climbers were killed due to extreme cold and difficult conditions. This tragic incident showed how dangerous and risky mountaineering can be.
16. What record did Santosh set?
Santosh Yadav set a world record by becoming the first woman to climb Mount Everest twice. This great achievement brought her international fame and proved her courage, determination, and strong will power.
17. Which award was bestowed upon her?
Santosh Yadav was awarded the Padma Shri for her outstanding achievement in mountaineering. This prestigious award was given by the Government of India to honor her courage and contribution to adventure sports.
18. What were her feelings when she was literally ‘on top of the world’?
When Santosh Yadav was on the top of Mount Everest, she felt proud, happy, and satisfied. She thanked God for her success and felt that her hard work and struggles had finally paid off.
19. How can you say she was also a fervent environmentalist?
Santosh Yadav was a fervent environmentalist because she cared deeply about nature. During her Everest expedition, she collected garbage from the mountains and brought it down to help keep the environment clean.
Here are easy, clear long answers written specially for UP Board Hindi medium students.
Each answer is about 60 words.
Lesson – Reaching the Top (Santosh Yadav)
(C) Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe Santosh’s life in her village and her problems. How did she overcome them?
Santosh Yadav was born in a small village where girls were not encouraged to study. Early marriage was common. Her parents wanted her to follow old traditions. Santosh strongly opposed these customs. She insisted on education and freedom. With determination and courage, she convinced her parents, continued her studies, and followed her dream of mountaineering.
2. How did she get interested in mountaineering?
Santosh got interested in mountaineering while living in a hostel in Jaipur. The hostel faced the Aravalli hills. From her room, she often watched mountaineers climbing the hills. Their activities attracted her deeply. She started talking to them and learned about mountaineering. Slowly, this interest turned into her life’s passion.
3. Describe her achievements.
Santosh Yadav achieved great success in mountaineering. She became the youngest woman to climb Mount Everest at the age of twenty-five. Later, she created history by becoming the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice. She was also awarded the Padma Shri for her outstanding achievements and bravery.
4. What incident took place during the 1992 Everest Mission? What quality of Santosh’s character is seen here?
During the 1992 Everest Mission, two climbers died due to extreme weather conditions. Santosh risked her own life to help fellow climbers. She shared oxygen and food with others. This incident shows her bravery, selflessness, team spirit, and concern for human life even in dangerous situations.
5. Give a brief character-sketch of Santosh.
Santosh Yadav was a brave, determined, and confident girl. She believed in equality and freedom for women. She was disciplined, hardworking, and never afraid of difficulties. Santosh was also kind-hearted and helpful. Her love for nature showed her as a responsible environmentalist. She is a true inspiration for youth.
Lesson – Reaching the Top, Part-II (Maria Sharapova)
Short Answer type questions
1. When was Maria lifted to the world number one position in women’s tennis?
Maria Sharapova was lifted to the world number one position in women’s tennis in the year 2005. This achievement made her one of the youngest players to reach the top rank in tennis history.
2. How long did it take her to reach the pinnacle?
It took Maria Sharapova almost nine years of hard training and struggle to reach the top position in women’s tennis. She started playing very young and worked continuously to achieve success.
3. How old was Maria when she was packed off to train in the US?
Maria was only seven years old when she was sent to the United States for tennis training. She left her mother behind and began her hard life of training at a very young age.
4. What thing upset Maria and her mother Yelena?
Maria and her mother Yelena were upset because they had to live separately for many years. Due to visa problems, Yelena could not stay with Maria in the US during her early training days.
5. Why did Sharapova use to be so lonely?
Sharapova used to be very lonely because she lived far away from her family. She stayed in a foreign country, followed strict training, and had very little time to make friends or enjoy childhood.
6. Why did she go to bed at just 8 pm and who disturbed her at 11 pm, and how?
She went to bed at 8 pm because she had hard tennis practice daily. Her father disturbed her at 11 pm by waking her up and making her practise tennis drills, even late at night.
7. What, according to Sharapova, happens when you come from nothing and you have nothing?
According to Sharapova, when you come from nothing and have nothing, you become very hungry for success. This hunger makes you work harder, stay focused, and value success more deeply.
8. She bagged the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004. What was the key to it?
The key to her Wimbledon victory in 2004 was her strong determination, fearless attitude, and hard practice. She believed in herself and played confidently against experienced players to win the title.
9. What is Maria Sharapova’s mantra for success?
Maria Sharapova’s mantra for success is hard work, self-belief, and never giving up. She believes that discipline, sacrifice, and mental strength are necessary to achieve great success in life.
10. How can you say Maria is a Russian at heart?
Maria is Russian at heart because she loves her country deeply. She speaks Russian fluently, follows Russian traditions, and proudly represents Russia in international tennis matches despite living abroad.
11. Mention Maria’s hobbies as are described in the lesson.
Maria’s hobbies include fashion designing, reading novels, listening to music, and spending time with friends. She also enjoys shopping and learning new things whenever she gets free time from tennis.
12. What qualities have lifted Maria to the top of the world?
Maria’s qualities like hard work, discipline, confidence, determination, and mental strength lifted her to the top of the world. Her strong will power and fighting spirit helped her overcome difficulties and achieve success.
(C) Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe little Maria’s journey from Siberia to the US in your own words.
Little Maria Sharapova lived in Siberia, Russia. At the age of seven, she went to the United States with her father for tennis training. Her mother could not go due to visa problems. Life was very hard there. Maria faced loneliness, strict training, and financial difficulties. Still, she worked very hard and continued her journey with courage and determination.
2. Give a brief character-sketch of Maria Sharapova.
Maria Sharapova is a hardworking, determined, and confident girl. She is mentally strong and never gives up in difficult situations. She believes in discipline and self-control. Maria is ambitious but humble. She respects her parents and loves her country. Her courage, dedication, and fighting spirit made her a successful tennis player.
3. America is important to Sharapova, but her blood is totally Russian. Explain.
America is important to Sharapova because she received her tennis training there and became a successful player. However, her blood is Russian because she loves Russia deeply. She speaks Russian, follows Russian culture, and proudly represents Russia in international matches. She never forgets her roots and identity.
