MP 9TH English

MP Board Class 9th English Solutions Chapter 8 Reach for the Top

MP Board Class 9th English Solutions Chapter 8 Reach for the Top

MP Board Class 9th English Solutions Chapter 8 Reach for the Top

SUMMARY IN INGLISH

PART I. SANTOSH YADAV 
Santosh’s Family Background And Personal Life
Santosh Yadav has twice climbed Mount Everest. In doing so she is the only woman in the world. She was born in a society where the birth of a son was regarded as a blessing in Indian Culture. Daughter was not welcome. A holy man’ blessed Santosh’s mother thinking that she wanted a son. But Santosh’s grandmother told him that they did not want a son. This surprised the holy man. He blessed her. Santosh was born in Joniyawas village in Haryana as the sixth child. She is a sister to five brothers.
Non-Conventional Santosh
She didn’t follow the village traditions with regards to wearing clothes She was named `Santosh’ meaning contentment. Santosh began living life on her own terms. Other girls wore traditional Indian dresses. But she wore shorts. She said that she was determined to choose a correct path. Others were to change themselves, not she.
Santosh’s Great Desire For Education
Santosh’s parents were rich landowners. They could send her for education to nearby Delhi, the Capital but they sent her to the village school. Santosh decided to fight the system. When she turned sixteen, she refused to marry. Most of the girls in her village used to get married at that age. She warned her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education.
Santosh In A Delhi School
She got admission in a school in Delhi. But her parents refused to pay her fees. But she told them that she would work part time to earn money for her education. At lost hare parents agreed to pay for her education.
Goes To College In Jaipur
After passing the high school. She went to Jaipur to join Maharani College. In Jaipur She got a room in Kasturba Hostel. It faced the Aravalli Hills. She used to see the villagers going up the hill and disappearing.
Decides To Climbing
One day she decided to check herself why the climbers disappeared. She went there. She found nobody except a few climbers. They en-couraged her to take to climbing. Then there was no looking back.
Joins Institute Of Mountaineering
She enrolled herself in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. She went there directly from Jaipur. She wrote a letter to her father from there. In it she apologised for taking admission in Uttarkashi.
Noteworthy Climber
There Santosh went on an expedition every year. She developed a remarkable resistance to cold and the altitude. She had an iron will, physical endurance and mental toughness. Soon her efforts started bearing fruits.
Conquers Mount Everest
In 1988 she had asked the Aravalli Mountaineers if she could join them. In, 1992 became the year of her grand success. She conquered Mt. Everest when 1 she was barely twenty years old. She thus became the youngest woman in the world to achieve it. She proved equally helpful to the fellow-climbers.
The Other Side Of Santosh As A Climber
During the 1992 Everest mission, Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber. Who lay dying at the South Col. She could not save him. But she managed to save another climber, Mohan Singh. He would have died if Santosh had not shared her oxygen with him.
Conquers Mt. Everest Twice
Within twelve months, Santosh was invited by Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition. She became its member. She then conquered the Mt. Everest a second time. She set a record as the only woman to have climbed Mt. Everest twice.
Honoured By The Government
The Indian Government recognised her achievement. She was honoured with the Padmashri. It is one of the nation’s top honours.
Indescribable Moments At The Top
Santosh described her feelings when she was on the top of the world. She said that it took her some time for that moment to be understood. She unfurled the Indian tricolour. She can’t describe that moment. She saw the Indian flag flying on the top of the world. It was trulya spiritual moment for her. She felt proud as an Indian. Santosh acted as an environmentalist also. She brought down 500 kilograms of rubbish from the Himalayas. Thus she did her bit as an environmentalist.
PART II. MARIA SHARAPOVA
Maria Sharapova’s Number One Position Holden In World Tennis
There is something at odds with Maria Sharapova with her smile and dress. This lifted her on 22 August 2005 to the world number one posi tion in women’s tennis. She is a Siberian teenager. It took her four years to achieve the top position.
Maria’s trip to US
Maria’s climb upwards started nine years before. She was not yet ten years when she was sent to train in America. That trip to Florida with her father Yuri put her on the line to success and stardom. But it meant a separation also of two years from her mother Yelena. Yelena Couldn’t go with her and live in Siberia due to visa restrictions.
Maria’s Stay And Training In The Us
Maria recalls that she felt lonely in the US. She missed her mother greatly. Her father also couldn’t see her mother. He earned only as much as to keep her tennis training going. She was young. She used to tidy up the room and clean it. The seniors would make her do so.
Maria’s toughness
This made her determined and mentally tough. She also learnt how to take care of herself. She never thought of quitting. She knew what she wanted. This toughness is still there in her.
Maria becomes number one
Maria bagged the ladies’ single crown af Wimbledon in 2004. She became world’s number one in 2005.
Mantra for success
Maria has journeyed from Siberia to the top of women’s tennis. It has touched the hearts of tennis fans. She looks straight and answers clearly. These tell that her sacrifices were worth it. She says that she work hard at what she does. This is her mantra for success.
Maria on her Russian roots
Maria speaks with an American accent. She shows her pride to be a Russian. She says that her blood is Russian. However, the US is a big part of her life. She will play the Olympics for Russia if they wanted her to play.
Maria hobbies
Maria hobbies are fashion, singing and dancing. She loves reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. She is fond of evening gowns. She likes pancakes with chocolate spread and orange drinks.
Sharapova’s thoughts on tennis
Sharapova can’t be put in a category. She has talent, a desire to succeed and readiness to sacrifice. These qualities have lifted her to the top of the world. She finds money as a motivation. Tennis is a business and a sport. But the most important thing is to become number one in the world. This dream has kept her going.
SUMMARY IN HINDI
PART I सन्तोष यादव
सन्तोष का जन्म और पारिवारिक जीवन
सन्तोष यादव ने माउन्ट ऐवरेस्ट पर दो विजय प्राप्त की है। ऐसा करने वाली वह संसार में अकेली महिला है। वह उस समाज में जन्मी जिसमें पुत्र का जन्म वरदान माना जाता था। लड़की का स्वागत नहीं होता था। एक ‘साधु’ ने सन्तोष की माँ को यह सोचकर आशीर्वाद दिया कि वह लड़का चाहती थी। परन्तु सन्तोष की दादी ने उसे कहा कि वे लड़का नहीं चाहती। इसने साधु को आश्चर्यचकित कर दिया। उसने उसे आशीर्वाद दिया। सन्तोष हरियाणा के जोनियावास गाँव में छठी सन्तान के रूप में उत्पन्न हुई। वह पाँच भाइयों की एक बहन है।
गैर-पारम्परिक सन्तोष
उसका नाम ‘सन्तोष’ रखा गया जिसका अर्थ है सन्तुष्टि । सन्तोष ने अपने अनुसार ही जीवन जीना आ. रम्भ किया। दूसरी लड़कियां भारतीय परम्परावादी कपड़े पहनती थीं। परन्तु वह छोटे कपड़े पहनती थी। उसने कहा कि वह एक सही रास्ता चुनने के लिए निश्चयी थी। दूसरों को स्वयं को बदलना था न कि उसे।
शिक्षा के लिए सन्तोष की महान इच्छा 
सन्तोष के माता-पिता अमीर जमींदार थे। उसे शिक्षा के लिए समीप राजधानी दिल्ली भेज सकते थे। परंतु उन्होंने उसे गाँव के स्कूल में भेजा। सन्तोष ने सिस्टम से लड़ने का निर्णय लिया। जब वह 16 वर्ष की हुई तो उसने शादी करने से मना कर दिया। उसके गाँव में अधिकतर लड़कियाँ उस आयु पर शादी कर लेती थीं। उसने अपने माता-पिता को चेतावनी दी कि यदि उसे सही शिक्षा नहीं मिलेगी तो वह कभी शादी नहीं करेगी।
दिल्ली के एक स्कूल में सन्तोष
इसीलिये उसने दिल्ली में एक स्कूल में दाखिला ले लिया। उसके माता-पिता ने उसकी फीस देने से इन्कार कर दिया। परन्तु उसने उन्हें बताया कि वह पैसा कमाने के लिए पार्ट-टाईम नौकरी करेगी। वे उसकी शिक्षा के लिए पैसे देने के लिए रजामन्द हो गये।
जयपुर में कॉलेज में जाना
सन्तोष ने हाई स्कूल पास कर लिया वह महारानी कॉलेज में दाखिले के लिए जयपुर गई। उसने कस्तूरबा होस्टल में एक कारा लिया। यह अरावली पहड़ियों के सामने था। वह पहाड़ी पर चढ़ते और अदृश्य होते गाँव वालों को देखती थी।
पहाड़ो की चढ़ाई के प्रति प्यार
एक दिन उसने इसे स्वयं चैक करने का निर्णय लिया कि क्यों पर्वतारोही अदृश्य हो जाते हैं। वह गई उसे कुछ चढ़ने वालों को छोड़ कर कोई नहीं मिला। उन्होंने उसे चढ़ाई के लिए उत्साहित किया। फिर पीछे मुड़ने की बात ही नहीं थी।
माउन्टे नियरिंग इन्टीट्यूट में प्रवेश
सन्तोष ने उत्तरकाशी के नेहरू इन्स्टीट्यूट ऑफ माउ टेनियरिंग में ऐ कोर्स में एक कोर्स में दाखिला लिया। वह वहां पर जयपूर से सीधी गई। वहाँ से उसने अपने पिता को एक पत्र लिखा। इसमें उसने उत्तरकाशी में दाखिला लेने की माफी माँगी।
एक शानदार पर्वतरोही
वहाँ पर सन्तोष हरेक वर्ष अभियान पर गई। उसके अन्दर उण्ड और ऊँचाई के विरुद्ध उल्लेखनीय प्रतिरोधशक्ति उत्पन्न हो गई। उसमें लौहा इच्छा, शारीरिक सहनशीलता और मानसिक कठोरता थी। उसकी मेहनत ने फल देने आरम्भ कर दिये।
माउन्ट एवरेस्ट पर चढ़ाई
1988 में उसने अरावली पर्वतारोहियों से पूछज्ञ कि क्या वह उनमें सम्मिलित हो जाये। 1992 उसकी शानदार सफलता का वर्ष बन गया। जब वह महज बीस वर्ष की थी तो उसने माउन्ट एवरेस्ट पर विजय पा ली। इस प्रकार वह इसे प्राप्त करने में संसार की सबसे कम उम्रवाली महिला बन गई। वह समान रूप में साथी पर्वतारोहियों के लिए सहायक बन गई।
पर्वतारोही सन्तोष का दूसरा पहलू
1992 के एवरेस्ट मिशन के दौरान सन्तोष यादव ने एक पर्वतारोही की खास सहायता की । वह साउथ कोल में मरता हुआ पड़ा था। वह उसे नहीं बचा सकी। परन्तु वह दूसरे पर्वतारोही मोहन सिंह को बचाने में सफल हो गई। यदि सन्तोष उसके साथ अपनी ऑक्सीजन नहीं बाँटती तो वह मर जाता।
एवरेस्ट पर दूसरी बार विजय
बारह महीने में सन्तोष को इन्डो-नैपालीज वीमेन्ज एक्सपिडिशन ने निमन्त्रित किया। वह इसकी सदस्य बन गई। तब उसने एवरेस्ट पर दोबारा विजय पा ली। उसने एवरेस्ट पर दो बार चढ़ने वाली अकेली महिला का रिकार्ड बना डाला।
सरकार द्वारा सम्मान
भारत सरकार ने उसकी उपलब्धि को पहचाना। उसका पदम्श्री से सम्मान किया गया। यह राष्ट्र के उच्चतम सम्मानों में एक है।
चोटी पर न बताए जाने वाले पल
सन्तोष ने अपनी भावनाओं को वर्णन किया जब वह संसार की चोटी पर थी। उसने कहा कि उसे उस क्षण को समझने में कुछ समय लगा। उसने भारत का तिरंगा फहराया। वह उस क्षण का वर्णन नहीं कर सकती। उसने संसार की चोटी पर तिरंगा लहराते देखा। यह उसके लिए एक आध्यात्मिक क्षण था। उसने भारतीय होने के गर्व को अनुभव किया। सन्तोष ने पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ के रूप में भी कार्य किया। वह हिमालय से 500 किलोग्राम कचरा साफ करके लाई।
PART II. मारिया शरापोवा
मारिया शरापोवा का विश्व टेनिस में नम्बर वन स्थान 
मारिया शारापोवा और उसकी मुस्कान और कपड़ों के बीच में कुछ अलग वस्तु है। उसे महिला टेनिस में 22 अगस्त 2005 को संसार के नम्बर एक स्थान पर पहुँचा दिया। वह साईबेरिया की किशोरी है। उसे उच्चतम स्थान प्राप्त करने के लिए चार वर्ष लगे।
 मारिया का अमेरिका का दौरा
मारिया की ऊपर की तरफ की चढ़ाई नौ वर्ष पहले आरम्भ हुई। वह अभी दस वर्ष की भी नहीं थी जब उसे अमेरिका में प्रशिक्षण के लिए भेजा गया। अपने पिता यूरी के साथ उसके फ्लोशि के उस दौरे ने उसे सफलता और नायक बनने के रास्ते पर ला दिया। परन्तु इसका अर्थ अपनी माँ येलेना से दो वर्ष के लिये बिछुड़ने का भी था। येलेना को वीजा पाबंदियों के कारण साइबेरिया में रहना पड़ा।
मारिया की अमेरिका में ट्रेनिंग और उनका रहना
मारिया याद करती है कि उसने अमेरिका में अकेलापन महसूस किया। उसे अपनी माँ अत्यधिक याद आती थीं। उसका पिता भी उसकी माँ से नहीं मिल सका। वह सिर्फ इतना कमाता था जितना कि उसका टेनिस का प्रशिक्षण जारी रहे। वह युवां थी। वह कमरे को ठीक करती और इसकी सफाई भी करती थी। उसके वरिष्ठ उसे ऐसा करने के लिए मजबूर करते ।
मारिया की कठोरता
इसन उसने निश्चथी और मानसिक रूप से कठोर बना दिया। उसने अपना ध्यान कैसे रखा जाए यह भी सीख लिया। उसके छोड़ने की कभी नहीं सोची। वह जानती थी उसे क्या चाहिये यह कठोरपन अब भी उसमें है।
मरिया का नम्बर वन बनना
उसने 2004 में महिलाओं का एकल ताज विम्बलडन में जीता। वह 2005 में संसार की नम्बर एक बन गई।
सफलता का मन्त्र
मारिया ने साईबेरिया से वीमन्ज टेनिस की ऊँचाई तक की यात्रा तय की है। इसने टेनिस प्रेमियों के दिल जीत लिये। वह सीधा देखती है और स्पष्ट रूप से उत्तर देती है। ये बनाते हैं कि उसकी कुर्बानियाँ इसके योग्य थीं। वह कहती है कि वह जिस पर कार्य करती है कठिन मेहनत करती है। यह उसकी सफलता का मन्त्र है।
मारिया के रूस की अपनी जड़ो पर विचार
मारिया अमेरिकी उच्चारण के साथ बोलती है। वह रूसी होने का गर्व दिखती है। वह कहती है कि उसका खून रूसी है। यद्यपि यूएस उसके जीवन का बड़ा भाग है। यदि वे चाहते हैं कि वह खेले तो वह रूस के लिए ओलम्पिक्स खेलेगी।
मारिया की रुचियाँ
शरापोवा की मारिया फैशन, गाना और नाचना हैं । वह आर्थर कोनन डॉयल के उपन्यास पढ़ना पसन्द करती है। वह इवनिंग गाउन की भी शैकीन है । वह चाकलेट लेसे हुए चिल्ले खाना और सन्तरे की ड्रिंक्स पीना पसन्द करती है ।
मारिया के टेनिस आदि पर विचार
मारिया को एक श्रेणी में नहीं डाला जा सकता। उसके अन्दर गुण, सफल होने की इच्छा और कुर्बानी की तत्परता है। गुणों ने उसे संसार की चोटी तक पहुँचा दिया है। वह धन को प्रोत्साहन मानती है । टेनिस एक व्यवसाय और खेल है। परन्तु सबसे महत्त्वपूर्ण चीज है संसार में नम्बर एक बनना। इस स्वप्न ने उसका चलते रहना जारी रखा है।

TEXTBOOK EXERCISES

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT
I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.
Q.1. How the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised?
Ans. Santosh’s grandmother sought blessings. for a daughter, not for a son from the holy man. Most of the expecting women wish a son to be born to them. So this surprised the holy man.
Q.2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable.
Ans. She didn’t follow the village toaditions with regards to waring clothes. She wore shorts and not the traditional Indian dress for girls.
Q.3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? Ans. She was sent to the local school because it was in line with the prevailing custom in her family.
Q.4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why ?
Ans. She left home for Delhi when she got admission in a school. She did so as she wanted to get a proper education.
Q.5. 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. They agreed to pay for her schooling in Delhi when Santosh got admission because. She told them that she would work part time to earn money for her education. The qualities of determination coupled with a strong desire are seen here.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).
Q.1. How did Santosh deided to begin to climb mountains ?
Ans. She did so when she decided to check why the villagers climbing the hills vanished. Then she took admission in Uttarkashi’s Institute of Mountaineering without in forming her parents. She went on an expedition every year.
Q.2. Which incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her teammates ?
Ans. She provided a special care to a climber lay dying at the South Col. Another climber Mohan Singh would have died if Santosh had not shared her oxygen with him. She gave her oxygen to save him from a sure death.
Q.3. What shows her concern for the envi ronment?
Or
How does Santosh Yadav show her concern for the environment?
Ans. She sensed a spiritual moment in unfurling the national flag a top mt. Everest. Santosh returned from Mount Everest. While doing so, she collected garbage from the Himalayas. She then brought it down with her. It weighed 500 kilograms.
Q.4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest ?
Ans. She describes her feelings in saying that moment was simply great. It took sometime to sink in. She felt it was a spiritual moment. She felt proud as an Indian when she unfurled the Indian tricolour.
Q.5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this ?
Ans. She set a record as the only woman to have conquered the Mt. Everest twice. Also she is the only Indian woman in the world to have set such a record.
III. Complete the following statements.
Q.1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to …….
Ans. see the villagers going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while.
Q.2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because …….
Ans. she was going directly for training and not (from) home which she should have done.
Q.3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her while …….. endeared her to fellow climbers.
Ans. climbing skills, physical fitness and mental strength while working together endeared her to fellow climbers.
IV. 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) :……
Q.5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7):……….
Ans.
1. blessing
2. rational
3. in her own quiet way
4. urge
5. resistance/endurance
II
BEFORE YOU READ
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
Look at the following sentences. They each have two clauses, or two parts each with their own subject and verb or verb phrase. Often, one part (italicised) tells us when or why something happened.
I reached the market when most of the shops had closed. (Tells us when I reached.)
When Rahul Dravid walked back to wards the pavilion, everyone stood up. (Tells us when everyone stood up.)
The telephone rang and Ganga picked it up. (Tells us what happened next.)
Gunjan has been with us ever since the school began. (Tells us for how long he has been with us.
I. 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 herselfenrolled 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.)
Ans. 1. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses Santosh preferred shorts.
2. She got herself enrolled in a school in Delhi when she left home.
3. When the right moment arrived, she decided to fight.
4. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States.
II. Now 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.
Ans. 1. Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper.
2. I throw the book away after I finish it.
3. After giving the little girl an apple, he took the computer apart.
4. You have nothing which makes you very determined.
5. I never thought of quitting as I knew what I wanted.
DICTATION
Read the passage once. Then close your books. Your teacher will dictate the story to you. Write it down with the correct punctuation and 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 mou tain, 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 bėgan to fall. A boy’s faith was enough to bring about a miracle that not even those most prepared truly believed in.
The Raincoat
Ans.
After four years of drought in a small town in the Northeast, the Vicar gathered every one 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
Imagine that you are Santosh Yadav, or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest.
Prepare a short speech to motivate the girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them. The following words and phrases may help you.
self confident/confidence/sure of yourself
self assured/assurance/belief in yourself morale/boost morale/raise morale
giving somebody a boost/fillip/lift
demoralising/unsure of yourself/insecure /lack confidence
Ans. Madam chairperson, delegates, dear athlete participants and young girls.
Thank you very much for inviting me to speak at this All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. I feel extremely delighted to find India being represented in this Meet through you all. I feel honoured to speak to you a few words from this platform.
Well, I was once like you. What is important in life is self-confidence. You must be sure that you are on a correct path of life. It should be morally right also. You must set a goal also. In between lie your hard work, determination and faith in you. You must make a kind of chart of your activities. You must see the goal as the motivating factor. Without dreams you can’t reach anywhere. They motivate you to do unusual things. But dreams should be capable of being fulfilled. You must focus on your objectives with determination.
Never allow difficulties to overpower you. You will face problems in life. But never let them discourage you. Keep these things in mind. Believe in your physical and mental capacities. I am sure success will be yours.
Thanks to you once again for inviting me. Bye.
WRITING
Working in pairs, go through the table below that gives you information about the top women tennis players since 1975.
Write a short article for your school magazine comparing and contrasting the players in terms of their duration at the top.
Mention some qualities that you think may be responsible for their brief or long stay at the top spot.
Top-Ranked Women Players
I. The roll of honour of women who enjoyed life at the summit since everybody’s favourite player, Chris Evert, took her place in 1975.
Ans. Top-Ranked Women Players
It is good that women too have made it to the top in Women’s Tennis. The list is long. Different women enjoyed life being of the summit for different durations. For instance, Steffi Graf.of Germany enjoyed the topmost rank for the longest duration of 377 weeks on August 17, 1987. She was followed by Chris Evert of the US who enjoyed this rank for 362 weeks on Nov 3, 1975. Martina Navratilova of the US enjoyed it for 331 weeks on July 10, 1978. It was Martina Hingis of Switzerland who had it for 209 weeks on March 31, 1997. Monica Seles of the US also enjoyed it for 178 weeks on March 11, 1991. Following this, Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport of the US also remained world number one for 57 and 82 weeks respectively. The latest number one women
player is Maria Sharapova of Russia. She enjoyed this rank for 1 week only on August 22, 2005.
All these women didn’t make it to the number one world position in Women’s Tennis in one day. They worked very hard day and night. They sharpened their playing skills through various hurdles. They had physical fitness and mental strength to get success. They had talent, mental toughness and readiness to sacrifice. These qualities played an important role in their world achievements. They have proved a great point. It is ‘if any one has these qualities of head and heart, one can surely achieve this grand success. What one needs is to put one’s dream into practice. Dreams always motivate one. But those dreams should be worth putting into practice.
II. Which of these words would you use to describe Santosh Yadav? Find reasons in the text to support your choices, and write a couple of paragraphs describing Santosh’s character.
Ans. I would use the following words to describe Santosh: determined, adventurous, considerate, persevering.
Santosh is surely a girl of determination. While young, she determined to get more education. For that she made her father agree to that. She threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education. Then she was very much determined in hey career. She joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering at Uttarkashi without their permission.
She is adventurous also. She used to see the villagers climb the Aravalli Hills in Jaipur and vanish after a while. She decided to check it out herself one day. She wasn’t afraid of anything.
She is considerate. She has a sacrificing nature also. She provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the South Col. She saved another climber, Mohan Singh. She gave her oxygen to save him. Without that he would have died.
She had enough perseverance in what she did. She went on an expedition every year. This sharpened her climbing skills. This also increased her physical fitness and mental strength. Because of this she climbed Mount Everest.
All these qualities have made Santosh the only woman in the world to conquer Mount Everest twice. No one has broken her record till date.

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