CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8: Reach For The Top NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, 'Reach For The Top,' from the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive textbook, presents inspiring stories of two remarkable women: Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova. It delves into their early lives, challenges, and the unwavering determination that propelled them to achieve their dreams. The solutions cover their journeys, highlighting Santosh Yadav's ascent as a mountaineer and Maria Sharapova's rise in the world of tennis. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students understand the perseverance, hard work, and passion required to reach the pinnacle of success in any field. They provide clear explanations and insights into the lives of these achievers, aiding students in their exam preparation and fostering an appreciation for their inspirational stories.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectBeehive
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter8. Reach For The Top

Chapter summary

Chapter 8, 'Reach For The Top,' in the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive textbook focuses on the life stories of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter explain their early aspirations, the obstacles they faced, and their relentless pursuit of excellence. It covers Santosh Yadav's mountaineering achievements and Maria Sharapova's tennis career, emphasizing the dedication and motivation behind their success. These solutions offer a detailed understanding of the text, helping students grasp the core themes of ambition and perseverance.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the inspirational journeys of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.
  • Identify the challenges faced by women in achieving their goals.
  • Analyze the qualities of determination and perseverance from the given examples.
  • Learn about the importance of ambition and hard work in reaching success.
  • Develop an appreciation for role models in various fields.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Santosh Yadav's early life and determination
  • Santosh Yadav's mountaineering achievements
  • Maria Sharapova's journey in tennis
  • Challenges faced by aspiring athletes
  • Qualities of success: perseverance, ambition, hard work
  • Inspirational figures and role models
  • Understanding biographical narratives
  • Reading comprehension of personal stories

Important topics

  • Santosh Yadav's determination and achievements
  • Maria Sharapova's rise in tennis
  • The role of perseverance in achieving goals
  • Overcoming obstacles in personal and professional life
  • Inspiration from successful individuals

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Questions and Solutions

Before You Read - Question 1

Q1. Think for a while and make a list of three to five persons you idolise, or admire very much for their achievements. Your idols may be from any sphere of life — sports, medicine, media, or art and culture.
Solution: This question asks you to reflect on individuals you admire. Consider people from various fields like sports (e.g., Sachin Tendulkar, Serena Williams), science (e.g., Albert Einstein, Marie Curie), arts (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci, Frida Kahlo), or social service (e.g., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela). Choose three to five such personalities and list their names, briefly noting why you admire them for their specific achievements.

Before You Read - Question 2

Q2. A Russian girl, Maria Sharapova, reached the summit of women's tennis when she was barely eighteen. As you read about her, see if you can draw a comparison between her and Santosh Yadav.
Solution: After reading the chapter, you will learn about both Maria Sharapova's rapid rise in the world of tennis and Santosh Yadav's achievements in mountaineering. As you read, pay attention to the challenges each faced, their dedication, and the sacrifices they made. You can then compare their journeys, noting similarities in their determination and ambition, and differences in their chosen fields and the specific obstacles they encountered.

Before You Read - Question 3

Q3. Match the words/phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

Column A: something disarming, at odds with, glamorous attire, in almost no time, poised beyond her years

Column B: something that makes you feel friendly, taking away your suspiciousness, in contrast to; not agreeing with, attractive and exciting clothes, more calm, confident and in control than people of her age usually are, quickly, almost immediately, packed off, sent off, launched, started, heart wrenching, causing strong feelings of sadness

Solution: Here are the correct matches between the words/phrases and their meanings:
  1. something disarming - something that makes you feel friendly, taking away your suspiciousness
  2. at odds with - in contrast to; not agreeing with
  3. glamorous attire - attractive and exciting clothes
  4. in almost no time - quickly, almost immediately
  5. poised beyond her years - more calm, confident and in control than people of her age usually are

Before You Read - Question 4

Q4. As you read, look for the answers to these questions.
  1. Why was Maria sent to the United States?
  2. Why didn't her mother go with her?
  3. What are her hobbies? What does she like?
  4. What motivates her to keep going?
Solution:
  1. Maria was sent to the United States for advanced tennis training. Her journey to Florida with her father was a crucial step that initiated her path toward achieving success and becoming a star in professional tennis.
  2. Maria's mother could not accompany her to the United States because of restrictions related to obtaining a visa. This meant Maria had to begin her training abroad without her mother's immediate presence.
  3. Maria's hobbies include fashion, singing, and dancing. She also enjoys reading novels, particularly those by Arthur Conan Doyle. She has diverse tastes, appreciating sophisticated evening gowns as much as she enjoys simple pleasures like pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.
  4. Maria is motivated to continue her pursuit of excellence by the ambition to become the world's number one tennis player. This strong desire, along with the financial rewards of the sport, fuels her drive to keep improving and competing at the highest level.

Thinking About The Text - Question 1 (i)

Q1 (I) Answer these questions in one or two sentences each.
  1. Why was the 'holy man' who gave Santosh's mother his blessings surprised? (1)
  2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)
Solution:
  1. The 'holy man' was surprised because Santosh Yadav's mother, who was expecting a child, had requested that the baby be born a girl. In a society where sons were often preferred, this was an unusual request, leading to the holy man's surprise.
  2. Even as a young girl, Santosh was not willing to accept things that seemed unreasonable. For instance, she chose to wear a traditional Rajasthani village girl's dress for her initial schooling instead of the prescribed uniform, demonstrating her independent spirit and refusal to conform to something she found unsuitable.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing details between Santosh Yadav's and Maria Sharapova's stories.
  • Underestimating the significance of early challenges in their success.
  • Failing to connect the 'Reach For The Top' theme to the individual narratives.

Revision tips

  • Read the chapter thoroughly to grasp the nuances of both Santosh Yadav's and Maria Sharapova's lives.
  • Focus on the key events and turning points in their journeys.
  • Note down the qualities that enabled them to overcome obstacles.
  • Use the provided solutions to clarify any doubts and reinforce your understanding of the text.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Santosh Yadav's mother was surprised by the 'holy man's' blessings?

Q2. Which of the following best describes Santosh Yadav's attitude as a young girl, as indicated in the text?

Q3. Why was Maria Sharapova sent to the United States?

Q4. What was the reason Maria Sharapova's mother could not accompany her to the US?

Q5. Which author's novels did Maria Sharapova enjoy reading?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 8 of the CBSE Class 9 English Beehive textbook about?

Chapter 8, 'Reach For The Top,' focuses on the inspiring life stories of Santosh Yadav, an accomplished mountaineer, and Maria Sharapova, a world-renowned tennis player, highlighting their journeys to success.

What are the main themes covered in the NCERT Solutions for 'Reach For The Top'?

The solutions cover themes of ambition, perseverance, hard work, overcoming challenges, and the importance of role models, as exemplified by Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for the questions, helping students understand the text better, grasp the key concepts, and prepare effectively for their exams.

Who are the two personalities discussed in Chapter 8?

The chapter discusses Santosh Yadav, the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest twice, and Maria Sharapova, a former world No. 1 professional tennis player.

What qualities are highlighted in the stories of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova?

The stories highlight qualities such as determination, resilience, hard work, passion, and an unwavering focus on their goals despite facing numerous challenges.

Important links

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