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I. Chapter Summary:

Reach for the Top is a two-part biographical chapter that highlights the inspiring journeys of two determined and courageous young women — Santosh Yadav, the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice, and Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis champion who became World No. 1 at the age of 18. Despite challenges like gender bias, social constraints, and personal hardships, both achieved excellence through grit, ambition, and resilience. The chapter celebrates women empowerment, perseverance, and the importance of self-belief in achieving one’s dreams.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

Concept	Explanation
Perseverance and Determination	Both Santosh and Maria overcome societal and personal barriers.
Women Empowerment	The stories show how women can break stereotypes and achieve greatness.
Discipline and Focus	Success came to both due to disciplined routines and laser-sharp focus.
Sacrifice and Support	Family support (or lack thereof) and personal sacrifices are central to their growth.
Inspiration for Youth	The chapter encourages students to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. What was Santosh Yadav the first woman to achieve?
   a) Win an Olympic medal
   b) Climb Mount Everest twice ✅
   c) Fly solo around the world
   d) Sail around the world
2. Which country does Maria Sharapova belong to?
   a) USA
   b) Germany
   c) Russia ✅
   d) France
3. Where did Maria Sharapova receive her tennis training?
   a) Russia
   b) Germany
   c) Florida, USA ✅
   d) France
4. How did Santosh challenge the traditional mindset in her village?
   a) Refused to go to school
   b) Fought with her father
   c) Wore shorts and chose mountaineering ✅
   d) Joined politics

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. How did Santosh Yadav save the lives of fellow climbers?
2. What sacrifices did Maria Sharapova make to reach the top in tennis?
3. How did Santosh show her determination from an early age?
4. How does the title Reach for the Top suit both stories?
   – PYQ 2021

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. Compare and contrast the personalities of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.
2. How did Maria’s tough training and separation from her mother shape her character and career?
3. Describe the role of Santosh Yadav’s courage and humanitarian spirit in her success.
4. What lessons can students learn from both these biographies?
   – PYQ 2022

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. If you were in Maria’s place, would you be able to handle early separation from your family for your dreams? Why or why not?
2. What would you say to a girl who wants to pursue an unconventional career but lacks support?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts:

 Not applicable for literature chapters.

 However, important traits and values to highlight:

Value	Example
Courage	Santosh resisting social norms and climbing Everest.
Discipline	Maria training for long hours away from family.
Focus	Both athletes set clear goals and worked towards them.
Resilience	Both faced emotional and societal struggles but didn’t give up.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Chapter 7: Reach for the Top	6 marks	1 Long Answer or 2 Short Answers + 1 MCQ or HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

Year	Marks	Question
2021	3	What challenges did Santosh face and how did she overcome them?
2022	5	Compare the achievements and traits of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.
2019	2	How did Maria’s mental toughness help her succeed in tennis?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

Scenario	Application
Career Planning	Shows importance of focus and goal-setting from a young age.
Women’s Rights	Encourages support for girls pursuing sports and unconventional careers.
Overcoming Peer Pressure	Both stories show how to choose the right path even if it’s unpopular.
Sports Psychology	Shows how mental resilience plays a role in physical success.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Read both biographies in 15 minutes and create a comparison chart.
• Practice one answer from each part weekly.

 Exam Preparation:

• Focus on values, character traits, and lesson-based answers.
• Use structured formats for comparison-type questions (table or paragraph).
• Use real-life examples or personal reflections to enrich answers.

 Stress Management:

• Reflect on your personal goals—what would you be willing to sacrifice like Maria?
• Discuss the chapter in groups to stay motivated and inspired.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration:

For Classes 9–10:

Stream	Career Options
Sports	Athlete, Coach, Physiotherapist, Sports Psychologist
Science	Mountaineering Guide, Environmental Scientist
Humanities	Sports Journalist, Women’s Rights Advocate
Commerce	Sports Management, Entrepreneur in Fitness Industry

• Exams & Events to Explore:
  • NTSE
  • Khelo India Youth Games
  • CBSE Sports & Cultural Olympiad
  • Career Aptitude Tests (Class 10 Career Planning Tools)

XI. Important Notes:

•  Refer to NCERT textbook language and structure in answers.
•  This chapter is excellent for speech, debate, and personality development tasks.
•  Keep quotes ready for value-based writing. Example: “I climbed Everest to prove women could do it.” – Santosh Yadav
•  Always link actions to values—discipline, courage, sacrifice, and vision