Conquering Mount Everest

About the passage

A.  Read to understand

1.   Fill in the blanks with years in which these events occurred.

      a)   Tenzing Norgay was born in 1914.

      b)   He moved to Darjeeling in 1932 to accompany mountaineers.

      c)   He went on his first expedition to Mount Everest in 1935.

      d)   He became the first to scale Mount Everest in 1953.

2.   Answer these questions.

        1.   What did Aditya plan to do with the information he had gathered?

Ans. Aditya planned to quiz his classmates with the information he had gathered.

        2.   How do the Sherpas help mountaineers?

Ans. The Sherpas helps mountaineers by carrying their supplies and showing them the way up to the mountains.

        3.   How did Tenzing get to learn so many languages?

Ans. Tenzing got to learn so many languages because being a Sherpas he worked with so many different people.  

        4.   How have Tenzing’s courage and heroism been honoured?

Ans. For his courage and heroism, Tenzing was awarded the British George Cross and the Star of Nepal.

5.   What is the answer to the question asked by Aditya towards the end of the passage? You may use the Internet. (Q – Do you know which award has been established in Tenzing Norgay’s honour by the Government of India?)

Ans. The Government of India instituted the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards in his honour, awarded annually.

B.  Read to infer

1.   The Sherpas are hired by mountaineers to guide them. However, Tenzing was different from the others. In what ways did Tenzing prove to be much more than a guide?

Ans. Tenzing was much more than a guide in the following way:

                          i.        He learned to speak seven languages.

                         ii.        He was courageous and helped Edmund Hillary when he lost his footing while climbing Everest.

                        iii.        He was much experienced as he had taken part in more Everest expeditions than any other climber.

2.   How did Tenzing’s move from Tibet to Nepal benefit him?

Ans. Tenzing’s move from Tibet to Nepal benefits him because in Nepal there was a larger scope for Tenzing to earn money as a porter and a guide.

3.   Why was Tenzing perfectly suited to accompany Hillary on his historic climb of Mount Everest?

Ans. Tenzing was perfectly suited to accompany Hillary on his historic climb of Mount Everest because his great experience and courage.

4.   Why was Hillary fortunate to have the calm Tenzing by his side while climbing Everest?

Ans. Hillary was fortunate to have the calm Tenzing by his side while climbing Everest because Tenzing saved Hillary’s life when he lost his footing while climbing Everest.

C.  Discuss

1.   What do you think are the challenges faced by mountaineers? What skills and qualities does a good mountaineer have?

Ans. There are many challenges faced by the mountaineers. One and most occurring problem is altitude sickness. The other problems in mountaineering include the avalanches, falling ice, falling rocks and crevasse. Solar radiation and weather condition are the other factors that may create problem during mountaineering.

Being a good mountaineer takes a lot of practice, physical and mental strength, knowledge of terrains, understanding of weather and proficiency in using climbing equipment.

2.   You read how Tenzing was honoured for his achievements. Does your school reward good performers? Why is it important to honour a good performer?

Ans. Yes, our school rewards good performers.

It is important to honour a good performer because rewarding performer’s achievement often increases performer’s motivation.