CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 5: The Summit Within NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'The Summit Within,' from CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew, delves into the profound experience of climbing Mount Everest and the internal journey it entails. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to questions about the author's physical and emotional state, the motivations behind climbing, and the lessons learned. It explores themes of endurance, persistence, willpower, humility, and the significance of overcoming personal challenges. The solutions also touch upon the spiritual and emotional aspects of such an arduous adventure, highlighting the sense of accomplishment and self-discovery. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the text, understand the author's perspective, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and insights into the chapter's core messages.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	Honeydew
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	5. The Summit Within

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'The Summit Within,' focuses on the author's experience climbing Mount Everest and the internal journey of self-discovery. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension checks and text-based questions, exploring themes like the qualities needed for a climb, the pleasure of risky adventures, the irresistible allure of Everest, and the deeper meaning of conquering a summit. It emphasizes the emotional and spiritual fulfillment derived from overcoming challenges, defining the sense of humility and smallness in the universe, and the lasting impact of the experience on one's perspective towards life's ordeals.

Learning outcomes

Understand the author's emotional and physical experience while climbing Mount Everest.
Identify the key qualities like endurance, persistence, and willpower essential for climbing.
Explain the dual nature of adventure as both risky and pleasurable.
Analyze the irresistible attraction of Mount Everest for climbers.
Differentiate between external conquest and internal self-discovery.
Recognize the emotion of humility and the sense of smallness in the vast universe.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Summit Within
Mount Everest Expedition
Qualities for Climbing
Adventure and Risk
Internal vs. External Conquest
Humility and Self-Awareness
Spiritual and Emotional Growth
Lessons from Everest

Important topics

The Summit Within
Qualities for Climbing
Adventure and Risk
Humility and Self-Awareness
Internal vs. External Conquest

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

Standing on Everest, the writer was:

(i) overjoyed.

(ii) very sad.

(iii) jubilant and sad. Choose the right item.

Solution: The correct option is (iii). Standing on the summit of Mount Everest, the writer experienced a complex mix of emotions, feeling both jubilant about the achievement and simultaneously sad, perhaps reflecting on the immense effort and the journey's end.

Comprehension Check - Q2

The emotion that gripped him was one of:

(i) victory over hurdles.

(ii) humility and a sense of smallness.

(iii) greatness and self importance.

(iv) joy of discovery.

Solution: The emotion that gripped the writer was (ii) humility and a sense of smallness. This feeling arose from the profound realization of his own insignificance in the vastness of the universe when standing at the highest point on Earth.

Comprehension Check - Q3

"The summit of the mind" refers to:

(i) great intellectual achievements.

(ii) the process of maturing mentally and spiritually.

(iii) overcoming personal ambition for common welfare.

(iv) living in the world of thought and imagination.

(v) the triumph of mind over worldly pleasures for a noble cause.

(vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself. Mark the item(s) not relevant.

Solution: The items that are not relevant to the meaning of "the summit of the mind" as discussed in the chapter are (i), (iii), (iv), and (v). The concept primarily relates to (ii) the process of maturing mentally and spiritually and (vi) a fuller knowledge of oneself, representing an internal achievement.

Working With The Text - Q1 (i)

What are the three qualities that played a major role in the author's climb?

Solution: The three essential qualities that played a major role in the author's climb up Mount Everest were endurance, persistence, and willpower. These qualities enabled him to overcome the immense physical and mental challenges of the expedition.

Working With The Text - Q1 (ii)

Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?

Solution: Adventure is considered pleasurable despite its risks because humans derive deep satisfaction and delight from confronting and overcoming significant challenges and difficulties. The act of battling against obstacles and achieving a hard-won victory, as in climbing Everest, brings a profound sense of exhilaration, fulfillment, and happiness that transcends the physical achievement.

Working With The Text - Q1 (iii)

What was it about Mount Everest that the author found irresistible?

Solution: The author found Mount Everest irresistible due to its inherent characteristics: its majestic beauty, its aloof and imposing presence, its sheer might, its rugged terrain, and the formidable difficulties it presented to any climber.

Working With The Text - Q1 (iv)

One does not do it (climb a high peak) for fame alone. What does one do it for, really?

Solution: While fame might be a byproduct, the true motivation for climbing a high peak like Everest goes beyond mere recognition. It is driven by the exhilarating feelings of accomplishment, the deep sense of satisfaction derived from demonstrating endurance, persistence, and willpower, and the profound emotional and spiritual fulfillment that comes from conquering such a monumental challenge.

Working With The Text - Q1 (v)

"He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe." This awareness defines an emotion mentioned in the first paragraph. Which is the emotion?

Solution: This profound awareness of one's own smallness in the vast universe defines the emotion of humility. It is a feeling that arises from the perspective gained at the summit, highlighting the contrast between the individual and the immensity of the cosmos.

Working With The Text - Q1 (vi)

What were the "symbols of reverence" left by members of the team on Everest?

Solution: The members of the team left several symbols of reverence on Mount Everest. The author left a picture of Guru Nanak, Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga, and Phu Dorji left a relic of the Buddha. Additionally, Edmund Hillary had buried a cross on the summit.

Working With The Text - Q1 (vii)

What, according to the writer, did his experience as an Everester teach him?

Solution: According to the writer, his experience as an Everester taught him valuable life lessons. It provided him with the inspiration to face life's ordeals with determination. He learned that conquering the internal 'summit of the mind' is as significant and worthwhile as climbing the physical mountain, suggesting that inner achievements might even be higher than external ones like Everest.

Working With The Text - Q2

Write a sentence against each of the following statements. Your sentence should explain the statement. You can pick out sentences from the text and expand them.

Solution:

Statement: Endurance, persistence and will power are crucial for a climb.Explanation: These three qualities are fundamental because they enable a climber to withstand the extreme physical and mental challenges, maintain focus, and continue moving forward despite adversity during a difficult ascent.
Statement: Adventure is risky but pleasurable.Explanation: The pleasure in adventure stems from the deep satisfaction and exhilaration derived from confronting and successfully overcoming significant dangers and difficulties, making the struggle itself a rewarding experience.
Statement: Everest is the highest, the mightiest and many attempts have been made to climb it.Explanation: This statement highlights Everest's status as the world's tallest peak, emphasizing its immense challenge and the enduring human desire to conquer it, evidenced by the numerous attempts made throughout history.
Statement: The physical conquest of a mountain is only one part of the achievement.Explanation: While reaching the summit is a significant physical feat, the true achievement encompasses the emotional and spiritual fulfillment, the lessons learned about oneself, and the sense of satisfaction that follows the arduous journey.
Statement: It is not for fame alone that one climbs a mountain.Explanation: Climbers are motivated by more than just fame; they seek the profound feelings of exhilaration, the demonstration of their inner strength through qualities like persistence, and the deep personal satisfaction that comes from overcoming immense obstacles.
Statement: He becomes conscious in a special manner of his own smallness in this large universe.Explanation: This heightened awareness of one's own insignificance relative to the vastness of the cosmos is a humbling experience that provides a unique perspective on life and one's place within it.
Statement: The symbols of reverence left by members of the team on Everest are significant.Explanation: These symbols, such as pictures and relics, represent the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the climbers, serving as tokens of respect and remembrance left at the highest point on Earth.
Statement: The experience as an Everester provided him with the inspiration to face life's ordeals determinedly.Explanation: The lessons of perseverance, strength, and the ability to overcome extreme challenges learned on Everest equip the climber with the mental fortitude and inspiration needed to confront and overcome difficulties encountered in everyday life.

Common mistakes

Confusing the external climb with the internal 'summit within'.
Underestimating the emotional and spiritual aspects of the climb.
Focusing solely on fame as a motivation for adventure.
Not fully grasping the concept of 'humility' as described in the text.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the author's descriptions of his feelings.
List the qualities mentioned and think of real-life examples where they are needed.
Discuss with friends why adventure is both risky and enjoyable.
Reflect on the meaning of 'the summit within' and how it relates to personal growth.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What emotion is described as a sense of humility and smallness?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT considered a major quality for the author's climb?

Q3. According to the text, why is adventure pleasurable despite being risky?

Q4. What made Mount Everest irresistible to the author?

Q5. What does 'the summit of the mind' primarily refer to in the context of the chapter?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 8 Honeydew about?

Chapter 5, 'The Summit Within,' discusses the author's experience climbing Mount Everest and the profound personal growth and self-discovery that resulted from the journey, emphasizing the internal 'summit' as much as the external one.

What are the main themes covered in the NCERT Solutions for 'The Summit Within'?

The solutions cover themes such as the qualities needed for climbing (endurance, persistence, willpower), the dual nature of adventure (risky yet pleasurable), the irresistible allure of Everest, and the emotional and spiritual lessons learned, including humility and self-awareness.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the chapter's content, analyze the author's experiences, and prepare effectively for their CBSE Class 8 English exams.

What does 'the summit of the mind' mean in this chapter?

It refers to the internal journey of mental and spiritual maturation, achieving a deeper understanding of oneself, and overcoming personal challenges, which is presented as being as significant, if not more so, than climbing a physical mountain.

What qualities are essential for climbing Mount Everest, according to the text?

The text highlights endurance, persistence, and willpower as the three crucial qualities that played a major role in the author's climb.

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