7th Standard, English Second Language, Unit 6
JOURNEY TO THE TOP
Vocabulary:
V1. The following are the meanings of words that you have read. Find out the word from the text and fill in the blanks. As a clue, the first letter of the word is given. One is done for you.
After a period of time or delay (para 1.) eventually
1. The highest point of a mountain (para7) s – summit
2. An experienced and trusted adviser (para 5) m – mentor
3. A mass of snow and ice, tumbling rapidly down a mountain (para 7) a – avalanche
4. A personal account of one’s own life (para 9) a – autobiography,
5. A journey or a voyage for a particular purpose especially exploration, scientific research or war (para 6) e – expedition.
V2. Pick out the words from paragraph two which describe Bachendri Pal. One is done for you.
Answer:
1. rebellious
2. active
3. independent
4 fearless.
Work in pairs:
V3. Write three words which describe you and your friend.
Answer:
You Friend
1. Shy 1. Naughtier
2. Caring. 2. Rash
3. Friendly 3. Funny
C2. Answer each of the following questions and compare your answers with those of your partner.
1. Describe the trade of Bachendri Pal’s father.
Answer: Bachendri Pal’s father was a border tradesman who would take wheat flour and rice from India to Tibet on mules, horses and goats.
2. Write about Bachendri’s love for adventure and the mountains.
Answer: Always a rebellious child, Bachendri loved wandering in the snow-clad Garhwal
Himalayas. She dreamt of flying in aeroplanes and meeting famous people and this always amused her family. She was an active child and did well in her studies at school. She excelled in sports too. She was independent and fearless. She climbed, together with a group of 12-year old classmates, 4000 m (13,123 feet) height during a picnic. As she could not come down before nightfall, she had to spend the night there, without food or shelter along with the others.
3. Why did Bachendri apply to NIM for a course?
Answer: Her B.A. graduation thrilled her parents, who had wanted her to be the first girl in the village with a degree. She eventually did an M.A in Sanskrit and then B.Ed. In spite of these achievements, the job offers that came in were only temporary and junior-level positions. Inspired by her love for the mountains, Bachendri decided to apply to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (Uttarkashi) for the Basic Mountaineering Course. She was judged the best student in the course, and much to her surprise, was marked down as ‘Everest Material’!
4. Name the awards given to Bachendri Pal.
Answer: The awards given to Bachendri Pal are as follows.
1. Bachendri’s mountaineering excellence has been honoured by the Government of India with the country’s highest sports award, the Arjuna Award,
2. The highly coveted ‘Padmashri’
3. The National Adventure Award.
4. Among the other major awards, Bachendri was awarded the ‘Yash Bharathi’ award by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
5. ‘Gold Medal’ by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
6. Award from the Department of Education, Uttar Pradesh State.
7. The Lifetime Achievement Award by Kolkata Sports Journalists Association.
5. As students, what do we learn from Bachendri Pal’s life?
Answer: Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to climb the summit of Mt. Everest. The middle one of five children, she was born in 1954 at Nakuri, a small village in the Garhwal Himalayas in the present Uttarakhand. Bachendri was from a modest background. Bachendri loved wandering in the snow-clad Garhwal Himalayas. She dreamt of flying in aeroplanes and meeting famous people and this always amused her family. She was an active child and did well in her studies at school. She excelled in sports too. She completed her Advanced Mountaineering Course too with flying colours. Bachendri climbed the Gangotri (6672 m/21900 ft) and Rudugaria (5819 m/19,091 ft.) in an advanced camp (1982) during her time at NIM. However, Bachendri Pal continued her climb to reach the peak on May 23rd 1984. Bachendri conquered the summit of Sagarmatha (the Nepali name for the highest peak in the world) at 1:07 p.m. It was a difficult climb of over 29028 ft. (8848 m). Her dream had come true. Bachendri’s mountaineering excellence has been honoured by many awards.
From Bachendri Pal’s life, students can learn the importance of perseverance, courage, and never giving up on your dreams, even when faced with challenges like financial difficulties or societal expectations. Her journey shows that with determinationand hard work, it is possible to achieve seemingly impossible goals. She also teaches that challenges can be opportunities for growth and that believing in yourself is key to success. Her life shows how hard work and the will to succeed can raise one to greater heights.
6. In which paragraphs do you find the following information about Bachendri Pal? Discuss
a. She was not only interested in mountaineering but also in education.
Answer: Paragraph number 4.
b. Her mountaineering excellence was recognized.
Answer: Paragraph number 6
c. Her greatest contribution to the poor women with mountaineering skills.
Answer: Paragraph number 5
Check your understanding: C1. Answer each of the following questions in a word, a phrase or a sentence as required.
1. What amused the family of Bachendri Pal?
Answer: Always a rebellious child, Bachendri loved wandering in the snow-clad Garhwal Himalayas. She dreamt of flying in aeroplanes and meeting famous people and this always amused her family.
2. Where was Bachendri Pal born?
Answer: Bachendri Pal was born in 1954 at Nakuri, a small village in the Garhwal Himalayas in the present Uttarakhand.
3. Where did Bachendri Pal apply for her Basic Mountaineering Course?
Answer: Bachendri applied to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (Uttarkashi) for the Basic Mountaineering Course.
4. Who was Brigadier Gyan Singh?
Answer: Brigadier Gyan Singh was the mentor of Bachendri Pal. He is the Director of the National Adventure Foundation (NAF), came to Uttarkashi in February 1983 to run an adventure course for teachers at the NIM.
5. For what purpose was the ‘Bhagirathi Seven Sisters Adventure Club’ established?
Answer: “Bhagirathi Seven Sisters Adventure Club” was set up for help poor girls like through Bachendri Pal and the other poor could use their mountaineering skill to make a living.
Check your understanding:
1. What was Bachendri Pal selected for?
Answer: Bachendri was selected for the Indian Everest Expedition in 1984. This was the first mixed expedition and its prime aim was to provide Indian women the opportunity to face the challenge of climbing Mt. Everest.
2. What is the Nepali name for the highest peak in the world?
Answer: Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for the highest peak in the world.
3. Which is the country’s highest sports award that was given to Bachendri?
Answer: The country’s highest sports award, the Arjuna Award, the highly coveted ‘Padmashri’ as well as the National Adventure Award was given to Bachendri.
4. Name the autobiography of Bachendri Pal.
Answer: “Everest – My Journey to the Top.” is the autobiography of Bachendri Pal.
Language in use:
G1. Work in pairs:
Look at the following sentences from the text ‘Journey to the Top’:
a. He eventually settled near Uttarkashi where he got married. (Para 1)
b. Her graduation thrilled her parents who wanted her to be the first girl in the village with a degree. (Para 4)
In the sentences above, the words printed in bold letters relate the two parts of the sentence. These connecting words are called relative pronouns /conjunctions.
who, which, where, why and what can be used as relative pronouns.
G2. Find out sentences from the text with relative pronouns.
Answer:
1 . Her father was a border tradesman who would take wheat flour and rice from India to Tibet on mules, horses and goats. (Para 1)
2. But her determination to study impressed her parents who allowed her to finish high school. (Para 3)
3 . The principal of her school persuaded her family to send her to college, where she defeated both boys and girls in rifle shooting and other competitions. (Para 3)
4 . Bachendri, whose family was under economic pressure, became an instructor here and reduced their financial burden. (Para 5)
5. ‘‘My thoughts went to my father and mother who taught us the value of struggle and the value of efforts.’(Para 7)
G3. Read the following sentences.
1. I do not distrust my faithful and loving friends.
2. A teacher is always fair and impartial.
3. An experiment is an unending quest.
The addition of a syllable at the beginning of a word is called a prefix. Prefixes like un, in, dis, im, etc., can be used.
G4. Add a prefix and make the word mean the opposite
*active x inactive
1. dependent x independent
2. expected x unexpected
3. like x unlike
4. honour x dishonour
5. employed x unemployed
6. experienced x inexperienced
7. complete x incomplete
Writing Practice
Work in pairs: One student asks questions and the other writes it down.
W1. Choose an artist, dancer, sculptor, craftsman in your locality and collect the following information about them.
a) What is the full name of the person?
b) What is his/her art/craft?
c) Where was she/he born?
d) Who supported her and helped her/him?
e) Who trained him/her?
f) What awards/prizes has she/he won?
g) Does he/she train others?
Now, write a paragraph based on the information collected about the person and read it to the class.
W2. Write down a few questions you would like to ask ‘Bachendri Pal’ if you would meet her.
1. When you reached the summit of Mount Everest and looked down, what was the very first emotion or thought that came to your mind?
2. What is your inspiration?
3. What is your advice to the young generation to achieve the goal?
4. How did the lessons you learned on your life and work after the climb, particularly in inspiring and leading other women?
W3. Expand the following abbreviations. Add two more of your choice:
One is done for you.
S.S.L.C – Secondary School Leaving Certificate.
1. B.A. – Bachelor of Arts
2. B.Ed. – Bachelor of Education
3. M.Sc. – Master of Science
4. B. E – Bachelor of Engineering
5. M.B.B.S – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
W4. Make a list of the qualities you admire in your parents. Have you inherited them? If yes, write it in your notebook.
W5. Discuss in groups: Add a few more awards given in our country other than the ones mentioned in the lesson.
1. Arjuna Award is a national award given to recognize excellence in sports.
2. Padmashri award is the fourth-highest civilian award of the India after the Bharath Rathna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.
3. Bharath Rathna is India’s highest civilian award, given for exceptional service and performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
4. Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India, awarded for “distinguished service of a high order” in any field.
5. Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, given for “exceptional and distinguished service” in any field of activity.
Project work: Work in groups
Find out the things used by mountaineers, collect pictures and prepare an album.
Suggested Reading:
1. Himalayan Journal – Himalayan Club
2. Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest – Tashi Tenzing, Judy Tenzing.
