Class-9 Chapter-8 Part-II – Reach for the top- Extra Questions

Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 9th as Per CBSE Syllabus

Chapter- 8

 Reach for The Top

By– Maria Sharapova

Introduction of the lesson- Reach for The Top

‘Reach for The Top’ topic has been bifurcated in two part. Each part of the topic contains a heroic story of two young girls. The heroine in the first part is a young Mountaineer Santosh Yadav and the heroine of the second part is Maria Sharapova a tennis sensation of the world. Santosh Yadav was born in a small village of Haryana state. She belonged to an agriculturist family. Her family was of the opinion of traditional values and they were adamant to.keep their prevailing customs but she rose to the highest glory by her hard efforts. In the same way, Maria Sharapova rises to the top of the tennis world with her hard efforts. She became the world’s number one tennis sensation and now becomes the most glamorous sensation of the modern world.
(`Reach for The Top’ विषय दो भागों में विभाजित किया गया है । विषय का प्रत्येक भाग दो युवा लड़कियों की बहादुरी की कहानी से संबंधित है । पहले भाग में नायिका एक युवा पर्वतारोही संतोष यादव है और दूसरे भाग की नायिका दुनिया की टैनिस हस्ती मारिया शरापोवा है । संतोष यादव का जन्म हरियाणा राज्य के एक छोटे-से गाँव में हुआ । वह एक किसान परिवार से संबंधित थी  । उसका परिवार परम्परागत मूल्यों का विचारक पात्र था और वे अपने वर्तमान रीति-रिवाजों के प्रति दृढ़ थे, परंतु उसने अपनी सख्त कोशिशों के कारण उच्चतम प्रतिष्ठा की ऊंचाइयों को छुआ । इसी तरह, मारिया शरापोवा ने भी अपनी सख्त कोशिशों से टैनिस की दुनिया में नाम ऊँचा किया ।  वह दुनिया की नंबर एक की टेनिस शख्सियत बनीं औरर अब आधुनिक संसार की आकर्षक शख्सियत वनी ।)

 INTRODUCTION (2) Reach for The Top:

This biographical sketch briefly describes the world-renowned tennis star Maria Sharapova’s rise to the top in the world of tennis. It also tries to unravel the secret behind her phenomenal success – rigorous labour and immense sacrifice on her and her parents’ part.

THEME Reach for The Top

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 The account is biographical in nature and focuses on the grand achievements of the tennis player, Maria Sharapova who earned the title of the world number one in women’s tennis in 2005. The author reveals that one has to pay a price for reaching the top in the form of hard labour, rigorous training, and sacrifice. Sometimes one has to undergo mental torture too on this path to success, but its rewards are always sweet and satisfying.

TITLE Reach for The Top

 The title “Reach for the Top” is very appropriate for this account of Maria Sharapova’s journey as a top-class tennis player. This journey started with early training in her childhood and culminated in her becoming the number one in the world of tennis. The ‘top’ symbolizes the highest point reached by Maria Sharapova. She reached this ‘top’ by the dint of her earnest efforts and diligent work. Thus, the title is apt in that it salutes the courage and strong will-power of this young tennis star who overcame all hardships and obstructions to reach the top.




CHARACTERS of Reach for The Top

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is among the most renowned woman tennis stars of all times who is equally admired for her game and for her attractive looks. Former number  1, Maria Sharapova is an inspiration for everyone, especially the sportswomen.

Right from her childhood, Maria was calmer, more composed, more confident and more tolerant than other children of her age. She had immense will-power and tenacity that gave her the strength to make sacrifices few people can make – separation from her mother, living alone in a hostile hostel, gruelling training schedules and only occasional meetings with her father. She put up patiently with the torment and humiliation inflicted on her by her fellow trainees. Thus, very early in her life, she learned that excellence comes at a price.

 Maria has always been motivated by her spirit of competitiveness and she has always toiled hard to achieve her goals. Her achievements in the world of tennis and her earnings from it are well-earned and most-deserved.

Maria is also a true patriot. Although she has spent many years in the U.S., she takes immense pride in her Russian identity and retains Russian citizenship, although she remains indebted to the country of her adoption for its contribution to her life and career. She wishes to play for Russia in the Olympics if she gets an opportunity.

 Maria is as successful a businesswoman as she is as a sportsperson. She has skillfully handled her endorsements and is a fashionista who has a love for sophisticated evening gowns. She loves pancakes and chocolate spread with fizzy orange drinks.

Yuri and Yelena Sharapova

Yuri and Yelena Sharapova are Maria Sharapova’s father and mother respectively. Their contribution to maria ‘s success is immense and cannot be measured in words. They identified their daughter’s potential at a very young age and decided to get her world-class training in the U.S. They knew well that it was going to be expensive and difficult, still they extended their full support to their talented daughter. Yuri worked very hard to pay for Maria’s training and Yelena tolerated the heart-wrenching separation from her dear child for two years. As parents, they displayed unflinching faith in their child’s abilities which gave Maria the boost to keep going ahead and to keep countering the challenges that came her way.




Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson – Reach for The Top

[PAGE 104] : Disarming = making argument less,निहत्था कर देने वाली ; glamorous = attractive,मनमोहक ; attire = dress, पोशाक ; poised = on a high position, उंचे स्तर पर ; teenager = between the age group of thirteen to nineteen years, किशोरावस्था ; pinnacle = summit/top, शिखर I

[PAGE 105]: Endure =bear, सहन करन ा; launched = sent forth,रास्ते पर डाल दिय ा; heart-wrenching= very painful, ह्रदय को निचोड़ देने वाल ा; restrictions = boundings, प्रतिबंध I

[PAGE 106-107] : Tidy up = to make beautiful, संवारना ; depress = make sad,उदास कर देना ; quitting =- leaving,छोड़ना ; humiliation = insult,अपमान ; meteoric rise = getting quick success, अतिशीघ्र सफलता पाना ; summit = top/highest peak, शिखर ; amply = sufficiently, पर्याप्त रूप से ; worth = value,मूल्य /कीमत ; pronounced = clearly, स्पष्ट रूप से ; accent = style of speaking, बोलने का लहजा ; sophisticated = beautiful/purified,सुंदर /परिष्कृत ; unwavering = that cannot be waved. अटल; grudge = hatred, घृणा; monetary = related to money, धन संबंधी I

Short and Simple Summary of the lesson in English- – Reach for The Top/ Summary in simple Words/ Critical appreciation of the lesson – Reach for The Top

There is something disarming about Maria Sharapova, something at odds with her ready smile and glamorous attire. And that something in her lifted her on Monday. 22 August 2005 to the world number one position in women’s tennis. All this happened in almost no time. However, the rapid ascent in a fiercely competitive world began nine years before with a level of sacrifice few children would be prepared to endure.
Little Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to train in the United States. That trip to Florida with her father Yuri launched her on the path to success and stardom. But, it also required a heart-wrenching two-year separation from her mother Yelena. The latter was compelled to stay back in Siberia because of visa restrictions. The nine-year-old girl had already learnt an important lesson in life—that tennis excellence would only come at a price.
That toughness runs through Maria even today. It was the key to her bagging the ladies’ singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and to her meteoric rise to the world number one spot the following year. While her journey from the frozen plains of Siberia to the summit of women’s tennis has touched the hearts of tennis fans, for the youngster herself there appears to be no room for sentiment. The straight looks and the answers she gives when asked about her ambition make it amply clear that she considers the sacrifices were worth it.
Like any number of teenaged sensations, Maria Sharapova lists fashion, singing and dancing as her hobbies. She loves reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Her fondness for sophisticated evening gowns appears at odds with her love of pancakes with chocolate spread and tizzy orange drinks. Sharapova cannot be pigeon-holed or categorized. 11cr talent, unwavering desire to succeed and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping.




Summary Reach for The Top (2):

“Reach for the Top” (Part II) briefly narrates the life and career of Maria Sharapova, one of the world’s best-known tennis stars.

 Maria’s father brought her to the U.S. to be trained in tennis when she was barely nine. Her mother Yelena could not accompany her due to Visa restrictions. In the U.S. she missed her mother badly but she knew that the sacrifice was an inevitable part of her big aspirations.

 Apart from the pangs of separation from the mother, the child also suffered harassment from her inconsiderate fellow trainees, who were older in age. At the training academy, Maria would go to bed at 8 p.m as she was very young. Her fellow trainees would return at 11 p.m. and to bully her, would wake her up and make her tidy the room. Instead of getting frustrated at this treatment, Maria saw its positive side and drew mental strength from this humiliation. This mental toughness gradually became a trait of her personality that helped her both as a person and as a sportswoman. It proved to be instrumental in helping her to reach the zenith of glory in the world of tennis. She bagged the women’s singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and became the number one tennis player in the world.

Hard work, dedication and mental courage paved the way to success for Sharapova. Imbued with patriotic sentiments, she feels proud to be a Russian. Though grateful to the U.S. for bringing out the best in her, she would like to represent her own country Russia at the Olympics.

Although Maria is fond of fashion, singing and dancing, she focuses all her attention on tennis. She considers tennis as both a business and a sport, which has poured riches in her life. However, her main aim is to shine as a tennis player. It is this aspiration that constantly governs her mind and motivates her for ceaseless efforts.




Go to the NCERT Solution “Reach For the top Part I”

Summary in Hindi – Reach for The Top

मारिया शारापोवा के बारे में निहत्था कर देने वाली और उसकी हर समय बनी रहने मुस्कान तथा सुंदर भड़कीली पोशाक से कोई चीज मेल नहीं खाती । तथा उस चीज़ ने उसे सोमवार 22 अगस्त, 2006 को महिला टैनिस में विश्व के प्रथम स्थान पर बैठा दिया । यह सब कुछ बहुत कम समय में को गया । लेकिन भयानक रुप से प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक विश्व में तेज गति से यह चढ़ाई नौ साल पहले शुरु हो चुकी थी बलिदान के ऐसे स्तर के साथ जोकि बहुत कम बच्चे ऐसा करने को तैयार हो पाते हैं ।

नन्हीं मारिया ने अभी अपना दसवां जन्मदिन भी नहीं मनाया था  कि जब उसे प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त करने के सयुंक्त राज्य अमेरिका भेज दिया गया । अपने पिता यूरी के साथ फ्लोरिडा की उस यात्रा ने उसे सफलता और प्रसिद्धि के रास्ते पर चला दिया । लेकिन इसके लिए उसको अपनी मों येलेना से दो साल के लिए दिल को निचोड़ देने वासी जुदाई की आवश्यकता थी ।वीजा की समस्याओं की वजह से मां साइबेरिया में रह गई । उस नौ वर्षीय लड़की ने जीवन का महत्वपूर्ण पाठ पहले ही सीख लिया था टैनिस में सफलता की एक कीमत चुकानी पड़ती है ।

उस मजबूती का संचार मारिया में आज भी होता है । यही रहस्य था कि 2004 में उसने विम्बलडन में महिला एकल के खिताब को जीत लिया था अगले ही वर्ष संसार की नंबर एक पदवी पर अतिशीघ्रता से पहुंचने की सफलता का । जबकि साइबेरिया के बर्फीले मैदानों से लेकर टेनिस की छोटी तक पहुंचने के सफर ने टैनिस प्रेमियों के दिलों को छू लिया हैं, स्वयं उस नवयौवना के लिए भावुक होने का कोई स्थान नहीं है । जब उससे उसके लक्ष्य के बारे में सवाल पूछा जाता है तो उसकी सीधी नज़रे और वह जवाब जो वह देती है इस बात को बिल्कुल स्पष्ट कर देते हैं कि वह अपने बलिदानों को इसके योग्य मानती है ।

किशोरावस्था में सनसनी बन चुके बहुत से सितारों की भांति मारिया शरापोवा को फैशन, गाने तथा नृत्य का शौक है । वह आर्थर कोनन डॉयल के उपन्यास पढ़ना पसंद करती है । अति सुंदर और महंगे सायंकालीन गाऊनों के प्रति उसका शौक, चाकलेट वाले केकों तथा सुं- सुं करते संतरे के पेय पदार्थों के साथ मेल नहीं खाता है । शरापोवा को किसी एक वर्ग या श्रेणी से जोड़कर नहीं देखा जा सकता हैं उसकी योग्यता, सफल होने के लिए दृढ़ इच्छा और त्याग करने की तत्परता ने उसे दुनिया के शिखा पर बिठा दिया है । जो धन आज उसे प्राप्त हो रहा है, उसके लिए कोई भी आज उससे ईर्ष्या नहीं करेगा ।

Value Points Reach for The Top

  • Maria Sharapova was born in Siberia, Russia, in 1987. She led a charge of Russian players who came to achieve great success in the women’s game.
  • She has brought her own brand of glamour to tennis by designing her own unique tennis outfits.
  • At the 2007 US Open, she wore a dress with over 600 crystals sewn into it.
  • She got her first tennis racket when she was four from the father of Grand Slam winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
  • At the age of six, she attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by Martina Navratilova, who recognized her talent and recommended that she should go to the USA to study at a famous tennis academy in Florida.
  • She moved to the USA with her father in 1994. Neither of them could speak English. They had very little money and went to the tennis academy by bicycle every day.
  • She turned professional in 2001 and a year later became the youngest girl ever to reach the junior final at Wimbledon.
  • She won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon when she was 17. She is one of several top players who are known for loud on-court grunting. She has been the world’s highest-paid sportswoman and the women’s number one several times.




MESSAGE of Reach for The Top

 This account of Maria Sharapova’s success story conveys the message that diligence, hard work and dedication never go unrewarded. Dreams can be realized only if one works earnestly, putting one’s heart and soul in translating them into reality. Nothing can obstruct those who stick to their path with an unstaggering devotion.

 IMPORTANT PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION Reach for The Top

Read the following passages and answer the questions given at the end of each :

PASSAGE 1

There is something disarming about Maria Sharapova, something at odds with her ready smile and glamorous attire. And that something in her lifted her on Monday, 22 August 2005 to the world number one position in women’s tennis. All this happened in almost no time. Poised beyond her years, the Siberian born teenager took just four years as a professional to reach the pinnacle.

Questions:
(i)  To which sport is Maria Sharapova attached with?
(ii)  To which country does she belong?
(iii) When did she win the world’s number one position?
(iv)  How many years did she take to reach the top?
(v)  Name the chapter from this passage has been taken?

 Answers :
(i)   Maria. Sharapova is attached to lawn tennis.
(ii)  She belongs to Siberia a part of Russia.
(iii) She won the world’s number one position on 22 August 2005.
(iv)  She took nine years to reach the top.
(v)   This passage has been taken from the chapter `Reach for the Top’.

PASSAGE 2

However, the rapid ascent in a fiercely competitive world began nine years before with a level of sacrifice few children would be prepared to endure. Little Maria had riot yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed to train in the United States. That trip to Florida with her father Yuri launched her on the path to success and stardom. But it also required a heart-wrenching two-year separation from her mother Yelena. The latter was compelled to stay back in Siberia because of visa restrictions. The nine-year-old girl had already learnt an important lesson in life-that tennis excellence would only come at a price.

Questions :
(i)   To what sport is Maria Sharapova attached with?
(ii)   At what age was she sent to the United States?
(iii)  What is the name of her father?
(iv)  How long did she stay in the U.S. A?
(v)   What was Maria’s native land?

 Answers :
(i)   She is attached to lawn tennis.
(ii)   At the age of ten years.
(iii)  The name of her father is Yuri.
(iv)  She stayed there for two years.
 (v)   Her native land is Siberia which is a part of Russia.

PASSAGE 3

“I used to be so lonely,” Maria Sharapova recalls. “I missed my mother terribly. My father was working as much as he could to keep my tennis-training going. So, he couldn’t see me either.” “Because I was so young, I used to go to bed at 8 p.m. The other tennis pupils would come in at 11 p.m. and wake me up and order me to tidy up the room and clean it.”

Questions :

(i)  Who did Maria Sharapova miss so badly?
(ii)  Where was Maria living at that time?
(iii) What was she doing there?
(iv)  Why had her father to work very hard?
(v)   When did the other tennis pupils come?

 Answers :
(i) Maria Sharapova missed her mother so badly.
(ii) At that time she was living in the U.S.A. in a tennis training, camp.
(iii) There she was having training in tennis.
(iv) Her father had to work very hard to pay for her tennis fee.
(v) They come at 11 p.m.

PASSAGE 4

Like any number of teenaged sensations, Maria Sharapova lists fashion, singing and dancing as her hobbies. She loves reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle. Her fondness for sophisticated evening gowns appears at odds with her love of pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks. Maria Sharapova cannot be pigeon-holed or categorized. Her talent, unwavering desire to succeed and readiness to sacrifice have lifted her to the top of the world. Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping. This is what she has to say about her monetary gains from tennis: “Of course, money is motivation. Tennis is a business and a sport, but the most important thing is to become number one in the world. That’s the dream that kept me going.”

 Questions :

 (i) What were Maria’s hobbies?
(ii) Who was her favourite author?
(iii) What sort of desire did she have for winning?
(iv) What does she consider tennis?
(v) How does she consider money for tennis?

EXTRACTS FOR COMPREHENSION Reach for The Top

 Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines each.

(I)

That trip to Florida with her father Yuri launched her on the path to success and stardom. But it also required a heart-wrenching two-year separation from her mother Yelena.

1. Who does ‘her’ refer to in this extract?

 ‘Her’ refers to the famous tennis player, Maria Sharapova.

2.From where did she make a trip to Florida and why?

 She made a trip from Russia to Florida with the purpose of taking training in tennis.

3. What was the ‘heart-wrenching’ thing about the trip?

 The ‘heart-wrenching’ thing was that she had to part from her mother for two years.

4. Why could her mother not accompany her?

 Her mother could not accompany her because of visa restrictions.

(II)

Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough.

(a)Who does ‘I’ stand for?

‘I’ stands for Maria Sharapova, the world renowned tennis player.

(b)What was ‘that’ which could not depress her?

It was the undue domination and humiliating behaviour of her senior trainees in Florida that could not depress her.

(c)What was the impact of ‘that’ on her?

‘That’ made her more determined and mentally strong.

(d)What does the extract reveal about the speaker’s character?

 The extract reveals that the speaker had the ability to encounter difficult situations boldly and to turn them to her advantage.

(III)

 “I’m Russian. It’s true that the U.S. is a big part of my life. But I have Russian citizenship. My blood is totally Russian. I will play the Olympics for Russia if they want me.”

1. Who says these words? Why?

 Maria Sharapova, the world-class tennis player, says these words. She says so because she takes immense pride in her nationality.

2. What does she say about the U.S.?

 Maria acknowledges the contribution of the U.S. where she took training in tennis and became the world number one tennis player.

3. Why does the speaker say, ‘My blood is totally Russian’?

 Maria claims this because she was born to Russian parents in Russia. She did spend a large part of her life in the U.S., but she proudly declares her Russian identity.

4. Given a chance, what will Maria like to do for Russia?

 Being a Russian from the core of her heart, Maria would like to represent Russia in the Olympics and make them proud, if given an opportunity.

(IV)

 Few would grudge her the riches she is now reaping.

(a)Who does ‘she’ refer to?

 She refers to Maria Sharapova, the world renowned tennis player.

(b)How is she ‘reaping’ the ‘riches’?

 As she is a famous player internationally and has been declared the number one in women’s tennis, she is naturally earning a lot from her game.

(c)Why would few grudge her riches?

 Everybody is aware of the fact that Maria has reached the top by making a lot of sacrifices and working extremely hard. Hence, the riches that she is earning from her game are well deserved and everybody agrees on this.

(d) Why has the word ‘reaping’ been used for riches?

 The word ‘reaping’ has been used metaphorically. Just as reaping the harvest is the reward for the hard work of the farmer, similarly earning money is the reward for Maria Sharapova’s earnest efforts and sacrifice.

(V)

Tennis is a business and a sport, but the most important thing is to become number one in the world.

(a)Why does Maria call tennis ‘a business’?

For Maria, playing tennis is a professional game that can be played by following rules and regulations which is similar to how a business is run. Also, as in business, tennis too requires input in terms of hard work and brings profits in terms of name, fame and money.

(b) According to Maria, why is tennis also a ‘sport’ in addition to being a business?

Maria calls tennis a sport, in addition to being a business, as it gives excitement and thrill just like other sporting events do. Every match is filled with expectations and anxiety both among the players and the spectators.

(c) What light does the extract throw on Maria’s personality?

The extract shows that Maria is very objective in her opinions. She does not deny the worth of tennis as a monetarily rewarding sport just to sound politically correct. She is honest in admitting that tennis is like the business. However, she gives greater importance to the sporting element of the game than the money involved.

(d) Why did Maria wish to become number one in the world?

Maria wished to become the number one tennis player in the world because it was her childhood dream. She worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to train herself for this feat. She strove for it competitively and considered it her job.

Following is the complete question bank for – Reach for The Top

Additional Very Short Answer Type Questions Reach for The Top

1. Which country does Maria Sharapova belong to?

Ans. Maria Sharapova belongs to Russia.

2. With what sport is Maria Sharapova attached to?

Ans. She is attached to lawn tennis.

3. When did Sharapova attain the number one position for the first time?

Ans. She attained the number one position for the first time on 22 August 2005.

4. Where did Sharapova go for tennis coaching?

Ans. She went to Florida in the United States.

5. Who went to the U.S.A. with Sharapova?

Ans. Her father went with her to the U.S.A.

6. When did Sharapova win the Wimbledon’s women singles final?

Ans. She won this title in 2004.

7. What does Maria Sharapova love reading?

Ans. Maria Sharapova loves reading the novels of Arthur Conan Doyle.

Short Answer Type Questions  (30 to 40 words) Reach for The Top

Q.1. What is something disarming about Maria Sharapova?

Ans. Maria Sharapova is a girl with a smiling face and glamorous attire. But she is a determined girl who worked excessively hard to win the world number one position in women tennis.

2. Why did Sharapova leave Siberia for the U.S.A.?

Ans. At the age of nine years, Maria Sharapova left Siberia for Florida in the U.S.A. She went there to attend a training camp for women tennis. She undertook hard training for two years. Her father Yuri also went with her.

 3. At the age of nine years, what lesson had Sharapova learnt?

Ans. In the U.S.A. Maria Sharapova had to face a heart wrenching two-year separation from her mother. This separation made her learn an important lesson that tennis excellence would only come at a price.

4. How Was Sharapova treated by the seniors in the training camp?

Ans. Maria Sharapova was just nearly ten years old. The senior’s in the training camp treated her badly. They look her up. They asked Maria to tidy up the room and clean it.

5. What does Maria Sharapova say about her Russian nationality?

Ans. Maria Sharapova speaks with a pounced Ameri can accent, She proudly parades her Russ ion nationality. Clearing all doubts, she tells her blood is totally Russian. She is a Russian citizen. She will play the Olympics for Russia.

 Q.6. What is something disarming about Maria Sharapova?

Ans. Maria Sharapova is a girl with a smiling face and glamorous attire. But she is a determined girl who worked excessively hard to win the world number one position in women tennis.

7. Why did Sharapova leave Siberia for the U.S.A.?

Ans. At the age of nine years, Maria Sharapova left Siberia for Florida in the U.S.A. She went there to attend a training camp for women tennis. She undertook hard training for two years. Her father Yuri also went with her.

 8. At the age of nine years, what lesson had Sharapova learnt?

Ans. In the U.S.A. Maria Sharapova had to face a heart wrenching two-year separation from her mother. This separation made her learn an important lesson that tennis excellence would only come at a price.

9. How Was Sharapova treated by the seniors in the training camp?

Ans. Maria Sharapova was just nearly ten years old. The senior’s in the training camp treated her badly. They look her up. They asked Maria to tidy up the room and clean it.

10. What does Maria Sharapova say about her Russian nationality?

Ans. Maria Sharapova speaks with a pounced Ameri can accent, She proudly parades her Russ ion nationality. Clearing all doubts, she tells her blood is totally Russian. She is a Russian citizen. She will play the Olympics for Russia.

Q11. What is at odds with Maria’s ready smile and glamorous attire?

Ans:-The maturity, balanced mind and inner strength of Maria do not appear to be in accordance with her glamorous dress and spontaneous smile. There seems to be some mismatch between her attractive outer appearance and her balanced inner-self.

Q12. Explain: “all this happened in almost no time”.

Ans:-The phrase means that Maria’s rise to the top in the world of tennis was very rapid and it took her a very short span of four years as a professional player to be number one in her chosen sport.

Q13. How was Maria different from other children?

Ans:-Maria was calmer and more composed, confident and tolerant than the other children of her age. She also had an inner strength that enabled her to endure the sacrifice that few children could think of facing. Unlike most children, she did not buckle under hardships and adverse circumstances.

Q14. Why was Maria brought to Florida in the U.S. by her father? Why didn’t her mother go with her? How did Maria respond to this separation?                                                    Or

Why did Maria leave Siberia for the U.S.? Why didn’t her mother go with her? How did this separation affect her?

Ans:-Maria was brought to Florida in the U.S. by her father, Yuri, to get trained as a professional tennis player and reach great heights of success and stardom in this sport. Her mother, Yelena, did not go with her because of visa restrictions. This two-year separation was too painful for the young girl. But Maria endured this sacrifice to pursue her dreams.

Q15. What important lesson did Maria learn during the first two years of her stay in the U.S., away from her mother?

Ans:- Maria learnt that excellence comes at a price. Since she wished to reach the zenith in the field of tennis, she knew that she would have to make sacrifices and struggle hard. She endured the heart-wrenching separation from her mother for two years to attain excellence in tennis. Moreover, she also learnt how to put up patiently with adverse circumstances.

 Q 16. Maria’s father accompanied her to the U.S., but why could he also not see her during her stay there?

Ans:- Maria’s father, Yuri, had brought his nine-year-old daughter to the U.S. to get her trained in tennis. Unfortunately, he too could not see her frequently as he had to work very hard to earn to pay for her training. His work occupied most of his time and he could not see Maria often.

 Q17. How did Maria’s co-trainees at the tennis academy trouble her? How did Maria cope with this?

Ans:- Maria’s co-trainees at the tennis academy were much older than her and would return to the room at around 11 p.m when Maria was already asleep. They were so inconsiderate that they woke up Maria and made her tidy up the room. Maria coped with this trouble by not allowing it to depress her. Instead, she strengthened her determination and mental toughness.

 Q18. Despite being harassed by her seniors, why didn’t Maria think of quitting?

Ans:- Despite being harassed by her seniors, Maria didn’t ever think of quitting because she was firmly determined to make her dream a reality. She knew that quitting under such pressure would jeopardize her own aspirations and she would never be able to reach the top in the field of tennis.

Q19. What mental qualities of Maria are revealed by her decision not to quit and pack up on being harassed by her fellow-trainees?

Ans:- The torment and humiliation inflicted on Maria by her fellow trainees failed to demoralise her. This reveals that she had a firm determination and was strong-willed. She was much more mature than other girls of her age and knew the art of survival.

Q20. What motivates Maria to keep moving ahead?

 Ans:-Maria is motivated by her spirit of competitiveness to keep moving ahead. She works very hard once she has decided to achieve something. She considers it her job to excel despite hardships and severe demands.

Q21. Despite staying in America for years, the core of her heart. Justify.

Ans:- Maria is a Russian at the Maria moved to Florida, U.S., from Siberia at the young age of nine. Since then she has spent most part of her life here. Yet, she remained a Russian through and through. She is proud of her Russian blood and Russian citizenship. She adds that she would play for Russia in the Olympics if given an opportunity.

Q22. Why does Maria call the U.S. a big part of her life?

 Ans:- Maria was trained for tennis in the U.S. It is in this country that she attained proficiency in this game. Here she also developed confidence, control, inner strength and endurance – the qualities that are pre-requisites for a person to reach the top in any field. Since she gained all this in the U.S., she calls it a big part of her life.

 Q23. Besides tennis, what else is Maria fond of?

Ans:- Maria’s first love is tennis. Apart from this sport, she is fond of fashion, singing and dancing as any other young girl of her age. She also likes to read Arthur Canon Doyle’s novels; is fond of sophisticated evening gowns, and enjoys pancakes with chocolate-spread and fizzy orange drinks.

Q24. What has lifted Maria Sharapova to the top of the world?

 Ans:- Maria’s talent, her unwavering determination, her hunger for success, her willingness to work hard, her readiness to endure challenges, and her sacrifices have lifted her to the top of the world. In addition, monetary gains have motivated her to be on the top.

Q25. Why would Maria’s fans not be jealous of her riches?

Ans:-  Maria’s fans are aware of the immense hard work that has gone into making her a star sportswoman. The unparalleled sacrifices are investments that she made when other children of her age were having a comfortable life. She is reaping the dividends of her earnest efforts and the money that is pouring in is well earned and well deserved. Therefore, nobody feels jealous of her riches.

Q26. Why does Maria call tennis business and a sport?

 Ans:-Tennis is a competitive sport like any other sport and requires stamina, nerve, training, planning and strategising. It is all about winning or losing. It is also a business because it is played professionally for money. Its tournaments involve millions of pounds of money expenditures in sponsorship and prize money. Tennis generates a lot of business for media, drinks, clothes and sports companies.

 Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each Reach for The Top

1. Write in short Maria Sharapova’s Journey to the top.

Ans. Maria Sharapova was born in Siberia, Russia. At the age of nine years she left Russia for Florida in the U.S.A. she went there with her father Yuri. She had to spend two hard years in the tennis training camp. She did hard efforts in the training camp. It was a heart wrenching two-years separation from her mother. Maria Sharapova learnt an important lesson is a life that tennis excellence would only come at a price. Maria Sharapova was jug for nearly ten years old. The senior’s in the training camp treated her badly. They looked her up. They asked Maria to tidy up the room and clean it, Maria Sharapova bagged the ladies single crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She attained the world number one position on Monday, 22nd August 2005. Today she is a tennis sensation.

2 Draw a Comparison between Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.

Ans. Today both Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova enjoy the status of a celebrity. To attain this position they both had to work very hard in their life. Both of these girls Were of strong and true determination. They had a clear vision of their life. They wanted to become something in life. They Wanted to raise themselves up from the common people around them. They sacrificed an II comforts and pleasure of I life to achieve their aim. Both of them were able to realise their aims. They reached the world. Santosh Yadav became the only women of the world to scale Mt Everest twice. Maria Sharapova got the fibre position in the world in women tennis. They proved that nothing is impossible before true determination and iron will.

Q1. What problems did Maria face as a child while she was being trained for tennis in the U.S.? What sustained her?

Or

How did adversity stand Maria in good stead in the long run?

Ans:Marie’s childhood was full of struggle and loneliness. She had to leave for the U.S. at the young age of nine years. Her mother could not accompany her to the U.S. due to some visa restrictions. She missed her mother terribly during the two years of their heart-wrenching separation. Though her father had accompanied her to the U.S., he too could not frequently visit her as he had to spend a lot of time to earn money to be paid for Maria’s tennis training. Apart from it, the other co-trainees used to bully, humiliate and insult her. They were inconsiderate to Maria who was much younger to them. To bully her, they would return to the room late at night, wake her up and make her tidy up the room. All these problems made her life during her training in U.S. miserable and desolate. 

However, she was able to sail through these adverse times by never letting herself go into depression or think to quit. Instead, she strengthened her will-power and kept her passion for tennis alive. Eventually, her determined and consistent efforts paid when she became the number one tennis player in the world. She moulded adversity in her favour with her strength, toughness and tolerance.

Q2. The lives of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova have much in common to prove that determined and consistent hard work paves the way to success. Identify the points of comparison and contrast in the lives of these two great players.                                                                  (Textual)

Ans:- Santosh Yadav, the legendary mountaineer from India, and Maria Sharapova, Russia’s tennis sensation trained in the U.S., are living examples of determined and consistent hard work. Both these young women started their journey to the top from humble backgrounds. Santosh belonged to a small village in the remote district of Rewari in Haryana while Maria came from the cold Siberia that did not have adequate training facilities for a tennis enthusiast.

Although both were supported by their respective parents, Santosh had to break rules at times to make her conservative family agree to her decisions. However, both the young girls had to sacrifice the loving and protective environment of their homes in order to train for their passion. Both the women had an unwavering determination, physical and mental strength, and undivided focus on their goals. They both rose to the number one position in their respective areas within a short span of four years. While Sharapova moved from the frozen Siberia to the plains of Florida, Yadav moved from the plains of Rewari to the frozen Mount Everest. But both of them are devout patriots and share the dream to reach the top.

 Q3. Imagine you are Maria Sharapova. It is your tenth birthday, but you neither have your parents nor your friends with you to celebrate it. You do not talk to your fellow pupils, because they bully you. Write a diary entry in about 150 words recording all your thoughts.

Ans:-

(Day and Date)                                                                                                                                                  (Time)

 Dear Diary

Today I’ve turned ten and this is my first birthday away from Siberia, where my dear parents and friends live. I feel utterly lonely as my memories take me back to the gala parties of my earlier birthdays, where my friends would dance and sing and my parents would shower their blessings on me.

I clearly recollect how I used to wear a dress of the latest fashion for the occasion. I used to be so enthusiastic about the gifts I received. All that festivity, that celebration is now a thing of the past as my Mom is so far away and my Dad is too busy. I do not have any relatives or friends around. Today I went alone to the market, bought a small cake and candles because Mom called me and told that I must celebrate. I would have invited my fellow players, but they are too snobbish and bullying. I dare not even tell them that it is my birthday.

 However, I must cheer myself up because loneliness is the price I have to pay for my high aspirations. I know that the blessings of my parents are there with me now and forever. No barriers of space and time can obstruct them.

 Love you, Mom and Dad. And a happy birthday to me!

 Maria

Q4. Imagine you are Santosh Yadav or Maria Sharapova. You have been invited to speak at an All India Girls’ Athletic Meet, as chief guest. Prepare a short speech to motivate the young girls to think and dream big and make an effort to fulfil their dreams, not allowing difficulties or defeat to discourage them.

Ans:- My dear shining stars of the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to be here today. It gives me immense joy to see your smiling faces and sparkling eyes with a tinkle of dreams of a bright future. I wish to share some important lessons that I learnt from experience about what is called the ‘mantra’ of success.

 My dear girls, the first and foremost requirement is to think and dream big. Unless you have a dream, you cannot achieve much in life. So assess your abilities and aptitudes. Ask what makes you happy and then set a goal for yourself. Your next step should be to make organised, consistent and sincere efforts to fulfil your dreams. Remember, all good things come at a price. So, do not allow difficulties or defeat to discourage you. Don’t forget, “When the time gets tough, the tough get going”. You have the fire in you, you only need to kindle it and keep it glowing.

 I am sure that each one of you will excel in life and will keep going with the ‘never say die’ attitude.

I wish you all the best and hope to see you as sparkling stars one day.

Keep Smiling! Keep Shining!

5. Write in short Maria Sharapova’s Journey to the top.

Ans. Maria Sharapova was born in Siberia, Russia. At the age of nine years she left Russia for Florida in the U.S.A. she went there with her father Yuri. She had to spend two hard years in the tennis training camp. She did hard efforts in the training camp. It was a heart wrenching two-years separation from her mother. Maria Sharapova learnt an important lesson is a life that tennis excellence would only come at a price. Maria Sharapova was jug for nearly ten years old. The senior’s in the training camp treated her badly. They looked her up. They asked Maria to tidy up the room and clean it, Maria Sharapova bagged the ladies single crown at Wimbledon in 2004. She attained the world number one position on Monday, 22nd August 2005. Today she is a tennis sensation.

6. Draw a Comparison between Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.

Ans. Today both Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova enjoy the status of a celebrity. To attain this position they both had to work very hard in their life. Both of these girls Were of strong and true determination. They had a clear vision of their life. They wanted to become something in life. They Wanted to raise themselves up from the common people around them. They sacrificed an II comforts and pleasure of I life to achieve their aim. Both of them were able to realise their aims. They reached the world. Santosh Yadav became the only women of the world to scale Mt Everest twice. Maria Sharapova got the fibre position in the world in women tennis. They proved that nothing is impossible before true determination and iron will.

QUICK REVIEW OF THE CHAPTER Reach for The Top

1. Maria Sharapova belongs to

(A) England                                                                   (B) Russia

 (C) Germany                                                                (D) America

 Ans. (B) Russia

2. Which game is Maria Sharapova attached to?

(A) tennis                                                                       (B) badminton

(C) hockey                                                                     (D) cricket

 Ans. (A) tennis

3. When did Maria Sharapova get the world number one position in women’s tennis?

 (A) 22 August 2004                                                   (B) 22 August 2005

 (C) 22 August 2006                                                   (D) 22 August 2007

Ans. (B) 22 August 2005

4. Where was Maria sent to learn tennis?

(A) the United States                                                (B) England

(C) India                                                                      (D) Germany

  Ans. (A) the United States

5. Who went to the United States with Maria?

 (A) her mother                                                           (B) her father

(C) her grandmother                                                  (D) her teacher

  Ans. (B) her father

6. How did the senior tennis players in the United States training centre treat her?

  (A) badly                                                                         (B) sympathetically

  (C) lovingly                                                                     (D) encouragingly

  Ans. (A) badly

7. Depressing treatment in the U.S made Maria :

    (A) weak                                                                          (B) nervous

    (C) timid                                                                           (D) tough

  Ans. (D) tough

8. Which title did Maria win in 2004?

     (A) Wimbledon                                                            (B) Australian open

     (C) American open                                                     (D) all of the above

   Ans. (A) Wimbledon

9. Maria is associated with

     (A) Serbia                                                                       (B) Siberia

     (C) Moscow                                                                   (D) Paris

    Ans. (B) Siberia

10. Maria Sharapova expresses her desire to play for :

       (A) America                                                                 (B) India

       (C) England                                                                  (D) Russia

 Ans. (D) Russia

11. What was the most important thing for Maria?

       (A) to earn money                                                    (B) to do a good business

       (C) to become number one in the world             (D) all of the above

 Ans. (C) to become number one in the world

Thank You.

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