Reach for the Top Question Answer Class 9 English

Today in this post, ‘Reach for the Top Question Answer Class 9 English’, we’ll study the NCERT solutions of Class 9th English Beehive chapter ‘Reach for the Top’. We’ll examine each question under the Thinking about the Text, Thinking about Language, Dictation, Speaking, and Writing sections, respectively. Let’s start class 9 English Reach for the Top Question Answer NCERT Solutions with Thinking about the Text.

We’ve already read the Summary of Reach for the Top; you can read that as well for better understainding about text.

Reach for the Top Part 1 Question Answer

Thinking about the Text

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.

Q1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised?
Ans. He was surprised because Santosh’s grandmother requested a blessing for a girl child, whereas people usually desired a son.

Q2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable.
Ans. As a child, Santosh preferred wearing shorts instead of traditional dresses like other girls, showing her refusal to blindly follow social norms.

Q3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school?
Ans. Santosh was sent to the local school because of the prevailing customs in her family, despite her parents being able to afford better education.

Q4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why?
Ans. At the age of sixteen, she left home for Delhi because her parents pressured her to get married, but she wanted to study further.

Q5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident?
Ans. Santosh’s parents agreed when she firmly told them she would work part-time to pay her fees. This shows her determination, independence, and strong willpower.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Q1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?
Ans. While staying at Kasturba Hostel in Jaipur, Santosh used to watch mountaineers on the Aravalli Hills. Out of curiosity, she joined them one day, which sparked her interest in climbing.

Q2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?
Ans. During her 1992 Everest climb, Santosh tried to save a dying climber and later saved Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen. This shows her compassion and team spirit.

Q3. What shows her concern for the environment?
Ans. Santosh brought down about 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas during her expeditions, showing her deep concern for keeping the environment clean.

Q4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?
Ans. At the summit, she felt proud, spiritual, and emotional. Unfurling the Indian flag on top of the world was an indescribable and unforgettable moment for her.

Q5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this?
Ans. The first time, she became the youngest woman in the world to scale Everest. The second time, she became the only woman to climb Everest twice.

III. Complete the following statements.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch …………………………………..
2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because ………………………..
3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her ………………………. while ……………………… endeared her to fellow climbers.

Answer:

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch villagers and mountaineers climbing the Aravalli Hills.
2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering without his permission.
3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her climbing skills, physical fitness, and mental strength, while her concern for others endeared her to fellow climbers.

IV. Pick out words from the text that mean the same expressions.

Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)

1. Took to be true without proof (1): ………………………….
2. Based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): ………………………
3. The usual way of doing things (3): …………………….
4. A strong desire arising from within (5): ……………………….
5. The power to endure, without falling ill (7): ……………………

Answer:

1. Took to be true without proof: Assumed
2. Based on reason; sensible; reasonable: Rational
3. The usual way of doing things: Custom
4. A strong desire arising from within: Urge
5. The power to endure, without falling ill: Resistance

Reach for the Top Part 2 Question Answer

Thinking about the Text

Comparison/Contrast Table

Working in small groups of 4–5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Completed Table:

Thinking about Language

I. Identify the two parts in the sentences.

Identify the two parts in the sentences below by underlining the part that gives us the information in brackets, as shown above.

1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts. (Contrasts her dress with that of others)
2. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.(Tells us what happened after the first action.)
3. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.(Tells us when she was going to fight the system.)
4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. (Tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S.)

Answer:

1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.
2. She left home and got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi.
3. She decided to fight the system when the right moment arrived.
4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.

II. Rewrite the pairs of sentences as one sentence.

Rewrite the pairs of sentences given below as one sentence.

1. Grandfather told me about the old days. All books were printed on paper then.
2. What do you do after you finish the book? Perhaps you just throw it away.
3. He gave the little girl an apple. He took the computer apart.
4. You have nothing. That makes you very determined.
5. I never thought of quitting. I knew what I wanted.

Answer:

1. Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.
2. What do you do after you finish the book — perhaps you just throw it away.
3. He gave the little girl an apple and then he took the computer apart.
4. You have nothing, and that makes you very determined.
5. I never thought of quitting because I knew what I wanted.

Dictation: The Raincoat (with correct punctuation & paragraphing)

The Raincoat

After four years of drought in a small town in the Northeast, the Vicar gathered everyone together for a pilgrimage to the mountain, where they would pray together and ask for the rain to return.

The priest noticed a boy in the group wearing a raincoat.
“Have you gone mad?” he asked. “It hasn’t rained in this region for five years; the heat will kill you climbing the mountain.”

“I have a cold, Father. If we are going to ask God for rain, can you imagine the way back from the mountain? It’s going to be such a downpour that I need to be prepared.”

At that moment, a great crash was heard in the sky, and the first drops began to fall. A boy’s faith was enough to bring about a miracle that not even those most prepared truly believed in.

Speaking Task: Motivational Speech

Speak as Santosh Yadav

(For example, if you choose to speak as Santosh Yadav at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest)

Good morning everyone,

It gives me immense joy to stand here before you today. I was once a village girl like many of you, but I dreamt big and believed in myself. My journey to the top of Mount Everest was not easy. There were moments of doubt, cold, and struggle. But I never allowed difficulties to break my confidence.

You too must be self-assured and sure of yourself. Believe me, it is this belief that gives you strength when things look impossible. Challenges will come, but they are only stepping stones to success.

Whenever you feel low, remember that even the smallest effort can boost your morale and push you closer to your dreams. Never let defeat or failures demoralise you. Instead, use them as a lift to rise higher.

So, dream big, work hard, and keep faith in yourself. If a girl from a small village can climb the highest peak in the world, then you too can achieve whatever you set your heart on.

Thank you.

Speak as Maria Sharapova

(For example, if you choose to speak as Maria Sharapova at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest)

Good morning everyone,

It is an honour to be with so many talented young girls today. When I was your age, I left my home in Siberia and travelled to the United States with my father to chase a dream. I was very young, lonely, and often insecure. Many times, others tried to discourage me, but I never gave up.

What helped me succeed was my self-confidence and a strong belief in myself. I knew that hard work, dedication, and patience would take me to the top. Even when I missed my family or faced humiliation, I stayed focused.

I want to tell you today — never let difficulties or defeat demoralise you. Instead, use challenges as a chance to grow stronger. Every failure should give you a boost to rise again, more determined than before.

If I could go from a small town in Siberia to becoming the number one tennis player in the world, then you too can reach the top in whichever field you choose. All you need is courage, discipline, and an unshakable will to win.

So, dream big, stay strong, and believe in yourself. The world is waiting for your success!

Thank you.

Writing Section

Below is a short article for your school magazine based on the table of top-ranked women tennis players mentioned in your textbook.

I. Women Tennis Stars Who Reigned at the Top

Since 1975, women’s tennis has witnessed some of the greatest champions in sports history. The list of top-ranked players shows both short-lived number ones and long-lasting legends.

Some players, like Maria Sharapova (1 week) and Amelie Mauresmo (5 weeks), stayed at the top only briefly. Their success was remarkable but short due to either tough competition or inconsistency. Others, like Justine Henin-Hardenne (45 weeks) and Serena Williams (57 weeks), held on much longer, showing strength, determination, and consistency.

On the other hand, a few players enjoyed an extraordinary reign. Martina Hingis stayed No. 1 for 209 weeks, Monica Seles for 178 weeks, and Martina Navratilova for 331 weeks. The longest, however, was Steffi Graf, who dominated for 377 weeks — almost eight years at the top! These players combined talent with discipline, mental toughness, and the ability to handle pressure.

It is clear that the qualities which ensured a longer stay at the top were consistency, focus, physical fitness, and mental resilience. Players with brief stints, though equally talented, perhaps lacked the endurance or stability needed to dominate over time.

This roll of honour proves that reaching the top is tough, but staying there demands even greater dedication. These women continue to inspire young players around the world to dream big and work hard.

II. Santosh Yadav’s Character Sketch

(Below is a character sketch of Santosh Yadav using the given words in your textbook and examples from the lesson.)

Santosh Yadav can best be described as determined, independent, adventurous, persevering, and considerate. From her childhood, she refused to blindly accept traditions. Unlike other girls, she wore shorts instead of traditional clothes, showing her independent thinking. At sixteen, when her parents pressured her for early marriage, she firmly refused and went to Delhi to continue her studies. This shows her strong determination and perseverance.

She was also adventurous and resourceful. Her decision to join mountaineers near the Aravalli Hills opened the path to her mountaineering career. Without hesitation, she enrolled at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, even without her father’s permission. Later, she displayed immense courage and endurance in her expeditions, scaling Mount Everest twice — a record for any woman.

At the same time, Santosh was considerate and polite. During her Everest climb, she tried to save a dying climber and shared her oxygen with another, showing compassion for her teammates. She also cared for the environment by collecting 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Thus, Santosh Yadav’s character shines as a symbol of courage, independence, and humanity. She inspires us to dream high, fight against odds, and achieve greatness with humility and kindness.

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