Reach for the Top Part 2 Maria Sharapova Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 Summary, Question Answers and Notes

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Chapter at a Glance

Summary of Part 2

Maria Sharapova was a Russian girl who reached the summit of women's tennis when she was barely eighteen. Her family did not have much money, and her father worked as much as he could to keep her tennis training going. Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. Her mother could not go with her because of visa restrictions, so the young girl lived far from home. That trip to Florida with her father started her on the path to success and stardom.

Maria says that when you come from nothing and have nothing, it makes you very hungry and determined. Whenever she faced setbacks, she did not let them depress her. Instead, she became quietly determined and mentally tough. She never thought of quitting, because she knew what she wanted. Off the court, she enjoys fashion, singing and dancing, and she likes reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. She loves sophisticated evening gowns, but she is also fond of pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.

Apart from money, the motivation to be the number one in the world keeps her going. She is also proud of her country. She says that her blood is totally Russian, and that she will play in the Olympics for Russia if they want her. Her story shows that a child with a dream, a supportive family and a strong will can rise to the very top.

NCERT Textbook Questions with Answers

Before You Read: Look for These Answers

Q(i). Why was Maria sent to the United States? Ans. She was sent for tennis training. The trip to Florida with her father launched her on the path to success.

Q(ii). Why didn't her mother go with her? Ans. Her mother could not go because of visa restrictions.

Q(iii). What are her hobbies? What does she like? Ans. Her hobbies are fashion, singing and dancing. She likes reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle, sophisticated evening gowns, and pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.

Q(iv). What motivates her to keep going? Ans. Apart from money, the motivation to become the number one player in the world keeps her going.

Thinking about the Text: Compare Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova

Thinking about Language I: Identify the Two Parts

Ans. The part that gives the information is shown in capitals. (1) WHERE OTHER GIRLS WORE TRADITIONAL INDIAN DRESSES, Santosh preferred shorts. (2) She left home AND GOT HERSELF ENROLLED IN A SCHOOL IN DELHI. (3) She decided to fight the system WHEN THE RIGHT MOMENT ARRIVED. (4) LITTLE MARIA HAD NOT YET CELEBRATED HER TENTH BIRTHDAY when she was packed off to train in the United States. In the last sentence, the part in capitals tells us when Maria was sent to the U.S.

Thinking about Language II: Rewrite as One Sentence

Ans. (1) Grandfather told me about the old days when all books were printed on paper. (2) After you finish the book, perhaps you just throw it away. (3) He gave the little girl an apple and took the computer apart. (4) When you have nothing, it makes you very determined. (5) I never thought of quitting because I knew what I wanted.

Dictation: "The Raincoat"

Ans. Your teacher will dictate the story, so read it once and then close your book. It is a short story about a boy who wears a raincoat to a pilgrimage for rain. Write it with correct punctuation: put inverted commas around the spoken words, begin a new line for each speaker, use a question mark inside the quotation for the priest's question and use commas after introductory phrases such as "At that moment".

Speaking: Speech as Chief Guest at an All India Girls' Athletic Meet

Ans. (Speaking as Santosh Yadav.) "Good morning, girls. I am honoured to be with you today. When I was your age, I was told what I should wear, where I should study and when I should marry. I refused to accept what seemed unreasonable, and I stood up for my dreams, politely but firmly. Believe in yourself and be self-confident. Failures and setbacks will come, but let them boost your morale instead of demoralising you. Work hard, keep your fitness and never feel insecure about your dreams. Remember that every defeat is a lesson, and every effort gives you a lift. Dream big, make an effort and never let difficulties stop you. Thank you."

Writing I: Article on Top-Ranked Women Tennis Players

Ans. Rulers of the Court. Since 1975, many women have reached the No. 1 spot in tennis, but only a few have stayed there for long. Steffi Graf of Germany stayed at the top for 377 weeks, which is the longest period. She is followed closely by Chris Evert of the U.S. with 362 weeks and Martina Navratilova of the U.S. with 331 weeks. Martina Hingis of Switzerland held the top spot for 209 weeks, and Monica Seles for 178 weeks. At the other end, Maria Sharapova held it for just one week at the time of the table, and Amelie Mauresmo for five weeks. Players like Lindsay Davenport (82 weeks) and Serena Williams (57 weeks) stayed for a medium period. The ones who lasted long had great fitness, consistent skill, mental strength, discipline and the ability to bounce back from defeat. Those with short stays may have faced stiff competition, injuries or pressure. Success in any field needs not only talent but also patience and hard work over many years.

Writing II: Describe Santosh Yadav's Character

Ans. The words that describe Santosh are determined, resourceful, independent, persevering, polite, adventurous and considerate. Words like pessimistic, weak-willed and fearful do not suit her. She was determined and independent, as she refused to accept unreasonable customs and fought for her education. She was resourceful and polite, because she solved the problem of fees by offering to work part-time and told her parents calmly. Her perseverance and adventurous nature are clear from her climb to the top of Everest twice.

She was also considerate. On the Everest expedition, she tried to help a dying climber and saved Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen. She was concerned about the environment and brought down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. Her seniors admired her skill and mental strength, and her fellow climbers loved her concern for them. She was proud of her country and felt that unfurling the Indian flag at the summit was a spiritual moment.

Extra Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Type (1 Mark)

Q1. Which country does Maria Sharapova belong to? Ans. Russia. Q2. At what age did she reach the summit of women's tennis? Ans. Barely eighteen. Q3. Where was she sent for training? Ans. The United States (Florida). Q4. Why could her mother not go? Ans. Because of visa restrictions. Q5. Which author's novels does she like? Ans. Arthur Conan Doyle. Q6. Which country would she play for in the Olympics? Ans. Russia.

Short Answer Type (30 to 40 Words)

Q1. What does Maria say about coming from nothing? Ans. She says that when you come from nothing and have nothing, it makes you very hungry and determined to succeed.

Q2. How did Maria deal with setbacks? Ans. She did not let them depress her. She became quietly determined and mentally tough, and she never thought of quitting.

Q3. What shows Maria's love for her country? Ans. She says that her blood is totally Russian and that she will play in the Olympics for Russia if they want her.

Q4. What sacrifices did Maria's family make? Ans. Her father worked as much as he could to fund her training, and her mother stayed behind while Maria went to train far away.

Long Answer Type (100 to 120 Words)

Q1. Compare Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova. Ans. Both came from simple backgrounds and rose to the top through willpower. Santosh came from a village in Haryana and fought social customs to get an education, while Maria came from a family with little money and travelled to the U.S. as a child to train. Santosh's parents first resisted but later supported her, whereas Maria's parents sacrificed a great deal. Both had mental toughness and never thought of quitting. Both were also patriotic. Santosh unfurled the Indian flag on Everest, and Maria declared that she would play for Russia in the Olympics.

Q2. What can young people learn from Maria Sharapova's life? Ans. Maria's life teaches that poverty and hardship need not stop anyone. Her hunger to succeed made her work harder, and she turned setbacks into strength by staying quietly determined. She also shows that a clear goal, such as being the world's number one, can keep a person going through difficult times. Her love for her country and her simple pleasures show that success does not require giving up one's roots or personality. Young people can learn to be focused, disciplined and mentally strong in the pursuit of their dreams.

Important Words and Meanings

Themes and Quick Revision

Themes: The chapter shows that willpower, hard work and mental toughness matter more than circumstances. It also highlights family support and sacrifice, patriotism, and the idea that goals and desire keep us going.

Conclusion: Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova prove that one can reach the top by combining a clear goal with hard work and a never-give-up attitude. For exams, remember the five comparison points, the clause exercise, the sentence-joining answers and the character words for Santosh.