Class 9 English Notes Chapter 8 (Reachforthe Top) – Beehive English Text Book Book

Alright students, let's focus on Chapter 8, "Reach for the Top," from your Beehive textbook. This chapter is particularly important as it profiles two women who achieved incredible success through sheer determination and hard work, qualities often tested implicitly in competitive exams. We'll break down the key points for both parts.

Chapter 8: Reach for the Top

This chapter consists of two biographical pieces:
Part 1: Santosh Yadav - The first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice.
Part 2: Maria Sharapova - A Siberian tennis player who reached the world number one position.

Part 1: Santosh Yadav - Key Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Background and Early Life:

   • Born in Joniyawas village, Rewari District, Haryana.
   • Born into a traditional, affluent landowner family where daughters were not typically encouraged towards education or non-traditional paths. She was the sixth child, the only sister to five brothers.
   • Her name 'Santosh' means contentment, but she was not content with the traditional way of life for girls in her village.

2. Rebellion Against Tradition:

   • Unlike other girls who wore traditional dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.
   • Resisted pressure for early marriage (at age 16, common in her village). She threatened her parents that she would never marry if she did not get a proper education.
   • Left home to enroll in a school in Delhi, informing her parents afterwards. She funded her education by working part-time.

3. Introduction to Mountaineering:

   • Passed high school and went to Maharani College in Jaipur.
   • Stayed in Kasturba Hostel, which faced the Aravalli Hills.
   • Observed villagers climbing the hills and vanishing; curiosity led her to inquire.
   • Met some mountaineers who encouraged her to take up climbing. This marked a pivotal moment.

4. Formal Training and Career:

   • Saved money and enrolled in a course at the Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) without her father's permission initially. Wrote an apology letter later.
   • Excelled rapidly in mountaineering. Possessed remarkable physical endurance, mental toughness, and climbing skills.
   • Developed resistance to cold and altitude naturally.

5. Major Achievements:

   • First Everest Summit (1992): Scaled Mt. Everest at barely 20 years old, becoming the youngest woman at that time to achieve the feat.
   • Saving a Life: During the 1992 expedition, she showed great concern for fellow climbers, providing special care to one who lay dying (though couldn't save him), but successfully saved another, Mohan Singh, by sharing her oxygen.
   • Second Everest Summit (1993): Within 12 months, she scaled Everest again as part of an Indo-Nepalese Women’s Expedition, setting a record as the first woman to climb Everest twice.
   • Unique Feat: Scaled Everest from the challenging Kangshung Face.
   • Recognition: Awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours.

6. Key Character Traits:

   • Determined & Focused: Set goals and worked relentlessly towards them.
   • Rebellious (against unjust norms): Challenged patriarchal traditions.
   • Independent & Resourceful: Took charge of her education and training.
   • Physically & Mentally Tough: Essential for mountaineering.
   • Team Spirit & Concern for Others: Demonstrated during expeditions.
   • Environmentalist: Brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Part 2: Maria Sharapova - Key Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Background and Early Life:

   • Born in Siberia, Russia.
   • Showed early promise in tennis.

2. Move to the USA & Sacrifices:

   • Left Russia for Florida, USA, at the young age of 9 for tennis training.
   • Accompanied by her father, Yuri.
   • Major Sacrifice: Separated from her mother, Yelena, for two years due to visa restrictions. This caused significant loneliness.
   • Her father worked hard to fund her training.

3. Challenges and Hardships:

   • Faced loneliness and isolation in a new country without her mother.
   • Endured bullying and humiliation from older, senior tennis pupils at the training academy (tidying the room, being woken up late).
   • These hardships did not break her; instead, they made her mentally tough and determined.

4. Training and Mindset:

   • Characterized by unwavering determination and mental toughness.
   • Understood that excellence comes at a price (sacrifice, hard work).
   • Highly competitive and driven by the desire to be number one.
   • Describes her journey as starting from "nothing," emphasizing her hard work.

5. Major Achievements:

   • Wimbledon Glory (2004): Won the women's singles title at Wimbledon.
   • World Number One (2005): Achieved the top ranking in women's tennis in August 2005.
   • Won several other Grand Slam titles throughout her career.

6. Personality and Interests:

   • Describes herself as having a competitive drive and working hard.
   • Appears sophisticated and enjoys fashion, singing, and dancing (though tennis remains the priority).
   • Mentions reading Arthur Conan Doyle's novels.
   • Despite training in the US, she proudly retains her Russian citizenship and expresses patriotic feelings ("My blood is totally Russian").

7. Key Character Traits:

   • Mentally Tough & Resilient: Overcame loneliness, separation, and bullying.
   • Highly Ambitious & Competitive: Driven by the goal to be the best.
   • Determined & Focused: Single-minded dedication to tennis.
   • Willing to Sacrifice: Gave up a normal childhood and family life for her dream.
   • Pragmatic: Understood the connection between hard work, sacrifice, and success (including monetary rewards).

Overall Themes for the Chapter:

• Perseverance and Determination: Both women faced significant obstacles but never gave up.
• Breaking Barriers: Santosh broke gender stereotypes; Maria overcame geographical and personal challenges.
• Sacrifice for Success: Both had to make significant personal sacrifices.
• Mental Toughness: Crucial for achieving goals in high-pressure environments.
• Importance of Hard Work: Success wasn't accidental for either; it was earned.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Exam Practice:

1. In which state of India was Santosh Yadav born?
   (a) Himachal Pradesh
   (b) Uttarakhand
   (c) Haryana
   (d) Rajasthan

2. What societal norm did Santosh Yadav strongly resist in her village during her teenage years?
   (a) Wearing traditional clothes
   (b) Pursuing higher education
   (c) Early marriage
   (d) Learning household chores

3. Where did Santosh Yadav enroll for her mountaineering course?
   (a) Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling
   (b) Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
   (c) Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering, Manali
   (d) Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam

4. What significant record did Santosh Yadav set regarding Mt. Everest?
   (a) First Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest.
   (b) Youngest person ever to climb Mt. Everest.
   (c) First woman in the world to climb Mt. Everest twice.
   (d) Climbed Mt. Everest without oxygen support.

5. Besides her climbing achievements, Santosh Yadav is also noted for being a fervent:
   (a) Politician
   (b) Environmentalist
   (c) Musician
   (d) Writer

6. At what age did Maria Sharapova move to the United States for tennis training?
   (a) 7
   (b) 9
   (c) 11
   (d) 13

7. What major hardship did Maria Sharapova face soon after moving to Florida?
   (a) A serious injury
   (b) Lack of financial support
   (c) Separation from her mother for two years
   (d) Difficulty learning English

8. Maria Sharapova credits her tough experiences at the tennis academy in the U.S. for developing her:
   (a) Fashion sense
   (b) Mental toughness
   (c) Language skills
   (d) Love for reading

9. In which year did Maria Sharapova win her first Wimbledon singles title?
   (a) 2002
   (b) 2003
   (c) 2004
   (d) 2005

10. Despite living and training in the US for many years, Maria Sharapova proudly emphasizes her:
    (a) American citizenship
    (b) Siberian upbringing
    (c) Russian citizenship
    (d) Love for Florida

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. (c) Haryana
2. (c) Early marriage
3. (b) Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
4. (c) First woman in the world to climb Mt. Everest twice.
5. (b) Environmentalist
6. (b) 9
7. (c) Separation from her mother for two years
8. (b) Mental toughness
9. (c) 2004
10. (c) Russian citizenship

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the facts, timelines, challenges, and character traits. Understanding these aspects will help you tackle questions related to this chapter effectively. Good luck!