Conquering the Summit — Class 7 English Poorvi Questions and Answers

Conquering the Summit questions and answers for Class 7 Poorvi explain Arunima Sinha’s resilience, preparation and achievements as described in NCERT. Check vocabulary, articles, listening matches and sample formal-letter tasks with the supplied textbook.

Source: NCERT Poorvi, Grade 7, Unit 4, printed pages 166–175 (listening transcript 177–178); supplied reprint 2026–27. Open-ended and personal responses are examples to adapt. These explanations are study support, not an official NCERT answer key.

About the chapter

“Conquering the Summit” is an inspiring biographical piece from Unit 4, ‘Travel and Adventure’. It narrates the real-life story of Arunima Sinha, a national-level volleyball player who lost a leg in a train accident in 2011, yet went on to become the first Indian female amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013. The chapter traces her journey from a devastating accident to scaling the world’s highest peak and finally completing the Seven Summits. It celebrates willpower, courage, determination and dedication, presenting Arunima as “a beacon of hope and resilience” whose message is simply: never give up, work hard and always remember your goal.

About the piece

This chapter is an informative, biographical prose piece included in the NCERT Poorvi textbook; it does not carry an individual author byline. It is written as a factual profile of the mountaineer Dr. Arunima Sinha, drawing on details of her life, accident, training and achievements, and quotes the encouraging words of Bachendri Pal (the first Indian woman to summit Everest) who mentored her. The accompanying photograph is credited to the Hindustan Times. The piece refers readers to Arunima’s own autobiography, Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back, for the complete account of her remarkable journey.

Open the peak list at full size. NCERT’s diagram pairs Everest–Asia, Kilimanjaro–Africa, Elbrus–Europe, Aconcagua–South America, Denali–North America, Kosciuszko–Australia and Vinson–Antarctica.

The book’s p. 168 count before the Antarctica climb is inconsistent with its later completion statement. Follow the clear completion date of January 2019 rather than claiming the Seven Summits were already complete in 2016.

Summary

The story of Arunima Sinha is a triumph of will, courage, determination and dedication. Arunima hails from Ambedkar Nagar, a small district in Uttar Pradesh; her father was an army engineer and her mother a health supervisor, and sports were always central to her life. After her post-graduation and a law degree, she planned to join the paramilitary forces so that she could continue playing sports while earning a regular income.

On the fateful night of 11 April 2011, when she was twenty-four and a national-level volleyball player, she met with a train accident. The hours that followed were harrowing, and one of her legs had to be amputated. Showing an extraordinary will to live, she survived. While recovering with a prosthetic leg and undergoing physiotherapy, she read an article about Mount Everest and made a profound vow that many thought impossible – not only to walk again, but to climb the highest peak in the world.

To achieve this, Arunima completed a basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi and trained rigorously for eighteen months under the guidance of Bachendri Pal. On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, she reached the summit of Everest, planting the Indian flag and leaving a photograph of her idol, Swami Vivekananda. She became the first Indian female amputee to do so and was later honoured with the Padma Shri, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award and an honorary doctorate. By January 2019 she had completed the Seven Summits. Her story is one of physical endurance, mental fortitude and a positive mindset, summed up in her words: “Never give up and work hard.”

Theme & message

The central theme is the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Arunima’s journey shows that determination, rehabilitation, training and support can help a person pursue demanding goals despite disability, and that real strength lies in willpower, hard work and a clear goal. The piece highlights resilience, courage, perseverance and self-belief, supported by good mentorship. Its message is direct and motivating: failure is not falling short of a goal but failing to set a goal worthy enough – so we must respect our goals, work hard and never give up, for everyone has an inner ‘Everest’ to conquer.

Word meanings

Let us discuss

I. Read the statements given below and explain each statement in your words.

1. Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.

2. Arunima decided to climb Mount Everest despite losing her leg.

3. Bachendri Pal’s guidance was crucial in Arunima’s journey to the summit of Mount Everest.

4. Arunima’s achievements go beyond just physical endurance.

5. Arunima’s autobiography inspires readers around the world.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Bachendri Pal instilled confidence in Arunima and said, “My child, you decided to climb Mount Everest in these situations with a prosthetic leg—you have conquered the Everest within you; the world will realise it later.” On 21 May 2013, after 52 exhausting days, Arunima Sinha reached the summit of Mount Everest. Standing at the top of the world, she felt a surge of emotions—pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of achievement.

1. Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Bachendri Pal said that Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because ___________________.

2. How might Arunima have felt after what Bachendri Pal told her?

3. Choose a phrase from the extract which shows that reaching the summit of Mount Everest was tiring.

4. Select the correct option to complete the sentence. After her success when Arunima felt ‘an overwhelming sense of achievement’, she would have most likely said, “___________________.” (i) I am confident of my abilities   (ii) I will accomplish this soon   (iii) I am excited to begin this climb   (iv) I finally realised my dream

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What did Arunima do in order to fulfill her ambition of conquering Mount Everest?

2. Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience. Support this statement with evidence from the text.

3. Arunima’s autobiography is titled Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back. Why do you think this title is appropriate?

4. Arunima says, “Failure is when we don’t have goals worthy enough.” What would be the most likely impact of this statement on readers?

Let us learn

I. Match the underlined phrases with their meanings

Read the underlined phrases in sentences (i)–(v) and match them with their appropriate meanings given in the box below. Meanings: 1. genuine, sincere efforts   2. strength of mind   3. periods of time filled with tiring and demanding activities   4. an incident or experience that significantly changes a person’s life   5. a source of inspiration or encouragement

II. Complete the parts-of-speech table

Complete the following table by filling in the gaps with correct parts of speech mentioned. An example has been done for you.

III. Articles (a, an, the)

1. Fill in the blanks with ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’. Put an ‘x’ where no article is required. We planned (i) ___ adventurous trip to (ii) ___ remote island. (iii) ___ island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) ___ diverse wildlife. On (v) ___ first day, we set out to explore (vi) ___ island’s dense jungle. (vii) ___ guide led us through (viii) ___ thick foliage and showed us (ix) ___ hidden waterfall. In (x) ___ evening, we gathered around (xi) ___ campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) ___ meal we cooked. (xiii) ___ experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) ___ connection with (xv) ___ nature.

2. There is an error in each sentence that has been underlined. Correct the error in the following sentences.

Before reading, listening, speaking and writing

Before reading — p. 166

I. Icons from left to right: hang-gliding, mountain biking, rock climbing and river rafting. The first shows a rigid triangular hang-glider, not a parachute canopy.

II. Sample discussion: People may seek challenge, fitness, teamwork and new experiences. Preparation includes appropriate training, checking equipment and following qualified supervision. State your own favourite activity with a reason.

III. Word web: determination, courage, patience, fitness, teamwork and careful preparation.

Let us listen — p. 173; transcript pp. 177–178

Let us speak — pp. 173–174

Student: “I support Physical Education because it develops fitness and teamwork.” Parent: “I support participation, but I want suitable supervision and inclusive activities.” PE teacher: “We can adapt tasks so students develop skills at an appropriate pace.” Camp organiser: “We check equipment and provide trained supervision.” These are sample viewpoints. Use respectful agreement or disagreement and take turns.

Let us write — pp. 174–175

1. Letter components: sender’s address → date → receiver’s address → subject → salutation (Madam/Sir) → introduction (name and grade) → expression of interest (activities and wish to join) → statement of request (permission) → complimentary close (Yours sincerely) → signature line (Sreelakshmi).

This is a sample request, not a confirmed school trip. Adapt the details.

Let us explore — p. 175

I. Suggested research framework: The season depends on the specific location, weather and operator; the textbook’s “all year round” rafting prompt is not valid for every river.

II. Mountaineer fact sheets: Use five separate sheets with name, source-approved photograph, birthplace, profession, training and accomplishments. A source-based starter from this chapter is Arunima Sinha: Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh; national-level volleyball player and mountaineer; basic course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi; Everest summit on 21 May 2013 and Padma Shri in 2015. Research four further Indian mountaineers from reliable profiles; do not invent their birthplace, training or awards, and distinguish the book’s hometown wording from a verified birthplace.

Additional ClearStudy questions

This practice is separate from the printed textbook exercises.

Short answer (30–40 words)

1. Where does Arunima Sinha come from, and what was her family background?

2. What happened to Arunima on the night of 11 April 2011?

3. What inspired Arunima to climb Mount Everest?

4. What did Arunima do at the summit of Mount Everest?

5. Name two honours Arunima Sinha received for her achievements.

Long answer (100–120 words)

6. Trace Arunima Sinha’s journey from the train accident to becoming a record-breaking mountaineer.

7. What qualities of Arunima Sinha make her an inspiration, and what is the message of her story?

ClearStudy MCQs and assertion–reason practice

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

Exam tips & common mistakes

FAQs

Textbook-based exercises and additional ClearStudy practice are identified separately. Use your textbook alongside these explanations.