Class 11 English Chapter 2 ” We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together”

Class 11 English Chapter 2 ” We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together” Question answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 ” We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together”, Class 11 English Hornbill Question Answer, HS 1st year English Notes and select needs one.

Class 11 English Chapter 2 “We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together”

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Also, you can read the SCERT Class 11 English Chapter 2 ” We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together” book Notes online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per AHSEC (SCERT) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 11 English Chapter 2 ” We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together” Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here.

“We’re  Not Afraid To Die……..if  We Can All Be Together”

Chapter: 2

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.

honing our seafaring skills: sharpening the skills and gaining expertise in sailing.

ominous silence : a silence or quietness indicating something bad is about to happen.

Mayday calls : distress signals or calls for help.

pinpricks in the vast ocean : tiny spots in the vast ocean.

a tousled head : uncombed and messed hair.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

1. List the steps taken by the Captain

(i) to protect the ship when rough weather began.

(ii)to check the flooding of the water in the ship.

Ans. (i)To protect the ship when rough weather began, the captain took the following steps: 

(a) He decided to lower the speed of the boat.

(b) The storm jib was dropped.

(c) Heavy ropes were tied across the stern.

(d) They went through their life-raft drill.

(e) Lifelines were attached.

(f) They put on oilskins and life jackets.

(ii) To check the flooding of the water in the ship, the captain did the following-

(a) He took the hammer, screw and canvas and struggled to make repairs.

(b) He stretched the canvas and waterproof hatch covers across the gaping holes.

(c) Most of the water was now eflected over the sides.

(d) Spare hand pumps and an electric pump were put to work as the earlier ones had failed.

2. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Ans. The ship is in bad shape now. It is not in a condition to reach Australia, and so, they decide to reach the nearest island, lle Amsterdam, a French Scientific base. After pumping the water out continuously for 36 hours, they took a sigh of relief. Only a few centimetres of water was left to be pumped out of the boat. They hoisted the storm jib as the mainmast was destroyed. They ate their first meal in two days, some corned beef and crackers. The weather soon started changing and again the black clouds took over by the morning of January 5. His son, Jonathan, told him that he didn’t fear death as long as they were all together. This filled him with determination to fight the sea.The struggle continued and the narrator tried his best to protect the weakened starboard side. The same evening, the narrator and his wife sat together holding hands, thinking that their end was near. His children continuously supported him which gave him moral support to keep going.

3  Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.

Ans. Title: A journey to dream. The first section is a description IN July 1976, author’s wife Mary, son Jonathan, 6, daughter Suzanne, 7, and author set sail from Plymouth, England, to duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook. For the longest time, Mary and author, a 37-year-old businessman. They have been preparing and perfecting their seafaring skills for the past 16 years. They get a ship which is 23 metres long and weighs 30 tons wooden-hulled, named Wave Walker. They test it in the rough weather for months. In July 1976, they all started their journey from Plymouth, England. 

Title: A disaster survival: December 25 found us 3,500 kilometres east of Cape Town. Despite atrocious weather, we had a wonderful holiday complete with a Christmas tree. The weather changes for the worse and on January 2, the big waves hit them. They try to slow the ship down by dropping a storm jib and hit a heavy mooring rope in a loop across a stern but it doesn’t help much. They carry their life-raft drill, attach lifelines, don life jackets and oilskins.At the dawn of 2nd January, the waves were huge in size. Unfriendly weather and massive waves forced the sailors to slow the speed of the ship, drop the storm jib and take various other precautions. The risk was so obvious that the sailors accomplished a life-raft drill, attached the lifeline boats and the life jackets. Unexpectedly at 6 pm, a terrific explosion shook the Wavewalker and the writer was thrown overboard. The Wavewalker was about to overturn when another massive wave hit it, throwing it upright one more time. The writer was thrown back again on the deck, his head and ribs were smashing touching the walls of the Wavewalker. In spite of a lot of injuries, the writer took charge of the situation and decided to handle it on his own. Larry and Herb started pumping out water from the ship.The author somehow managed to cover the canvas across the gaps to stop the water from entering into the ship.

Title: A little hope: The ship is in bad shape now. It is not in a condition to reach Australia, and so, they decide to reach the nearest island, lle Amsterdam, a French Scientific base.The struggle continued and the narrator tried his best to protect the weakened starboard side. The same evening, the narrator and his wife sat together holding hands, thinking that their end was near. His children continuously supported him which gave him moral support to keep going. He instructed Larry to steer the course to 185 degrees. He said that if they were lucky, they could hope to find an island by 5 pm. He dozed off and suddenly got up around 6 pm. He believed that they didn’t make it and was disappointed. His son came and informed him about how they reached the lle Amsterdam Island and he called him ‘best daddy’ and ‘best captain’. They reached the island with little struggle and with the help of inhabitants. The whole team, the family and two crew members, never stopped trying. Their struggle and hard work finally saved them.

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT

Discuss the following questions with your partner.

What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger ?

Ans. There was not much of a difference between the reaction of the children and the adults when faced with danger. The reaction of the adults in the face of danger was courageous as expected. The children showed a more positive frame of mind. The Captain, his wife and the crew members took all possible steps to encounter new huge waves. The children, on the other hand, gave him support and encouragement. Jonathan told him that he didn’t fear death as long as they were all together. This filled him with determination to fight the sea. Captain’s children continuously supported him which gave him moral support to keep going. His son came and informed him about how they reached the lle Amsterdam Island and he called him ‘best daddy’ and ‘best captain’.

2. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to ensure  “the direst stress”?

Ans. The title reflects the spirit of the story and conveys a clear message of positive attitude. Hope is the greatest survival factor. Even in the face of extreme adversity, they kept their hope and faith alive. When the captain and his family set sail, they did not have the faintest idea that disaster would strike them in this

manners.Right from the evening of January 2, Larry and Herb started pumping out water. They worked continuously, excitedly and feverishly for 36 hours. It was a result of their continuous pumping that they reached the last few centimetres of water on January 4. They remained cheerful and optimistic while facing extremely dangerous situations. The narrator did not lose his courage, hope or presence of mind while facing problems. He did not worry about the loss of equipment. He used whatever was available there. His self confidence and practical knowledge helped them to steer out of storm and reach Amsterdam island. 

(100-125 words)

3. What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face-to-face with death ?

Ans. The most important lesson that we learn from such hazardous experiences, when we are face-to-face with death, is not to lose hope under any circumstances. Life might put you in difficult situations, but if you are positive about finding a solution and overcoming the odds, you will always succeed.

4. Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved?

Ans. Man is adventurous by nature. The greater the risk, the more the thrill. Adventure beckons only those who dare to face challenges in life. It’s the thrill and excitement that they see and not the risk involved.It is true that sometimes adventures are quite risky and prove fatal. The failures of some people do not daunt (discourage) the real lovers of adventure. The success of an adventurous expedition brings name, fame and wealth. 

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE

1. We have come across words like ‘gale’ and storm’ in the account. Here are two more words for ‘storm: typhoon, cyclone. How many words does your language have for ‘storm’?

Ans. [Please note : Students wilI try to answer these in their respective language.]

2. Here are the terms for different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship, steamer, schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.

Ans. [Please note : Students may discuss with their teacher and find similar words in their own language.]

3. Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language this word is derived from ? Check the dictionary.

Ans. ‘Catamaran’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘kattumaram’, ‘kattu ‘means ‘tie’ and ‘maram’ means ‘log tree’. Catamaran is a narrow log raft or float propelled by sails or paddles. It is a boat with two parallel hulls.

4. Have you heard any boatmen’s songs ? What kind of emotions do these songs usually express ?

Ans. Boatmen’s songs usually depict the flow of water as a simile to life.Boatmen’s songs usually express love and nostalgia. 

WORKING WITH WORDS

The following words used in the text as ship terminology are also commonly used in another sense. In what contexts would you use the other meaning ?

Ans. knot : (a) a tangle caused by intertwining of one or more pieces of rope or string;

(b) a cluster or group;

(c) an ornamental bow of ribbon or twist of braid;

(d) something that ties closely;

(e) a hard lump on a tree where the branch grows out.

Example in sentences:

(a) We decided to make a tight knot on the string.

(b) After the meeting was over, people hung around in knots.

(c) She tied her hair in a lovely knot.

(d They hesitated to tie the nuptial knot (get married).

(e) The cross section of the knot appeared like a design on the wooden board.

stern:

(a) hard;

(b) sever;

(c) strict

(d) grim

(e) forbidding;

(f) that cannot be changed;

(g)unshakable;

(h) firm.

Example in sentences:

(a) The principal was always stern with the boys.

(b)The authorities had to take stern measures when the warning was not heeded.

(c) He made himself unapproachable with his stern face.

(d) It is a stern reality and cannot be changed.

(e) He surmounted the obstacles with stern determination.

Boom :

(a) to make a deep, hollow, resonant sound (thunder, heavy guns, etc.);

(b) to increase suddenly or grow swiftly;

(c) a period of business prosperity.

Example in sentences :

(a) The boom of the machine gun was heard even in nearby villages.

(b) The fighter jet boomed right over our heads.

(c) The boom in the share market is very temporary.

(d) The property business is on a sudden boom.

hatch :

(a) to bring forth young ones from eggs;

(b) to plot;

(c)to mark or engrave in lines as in shading.

Example in sentences :

(a) The eggs were hatched this morning.

(b) The newly hatched chicks look like yellow cotton balls.

(c) The workers hatched a plot to murder the businessman.

anchor :

(a) fix firmly;

(b) anything regarded as giving stability or security;

(c) coordinate radio or TV reports.

Examples in sentences :

(a) The flag staff was firmly anchored.

(b) In these trying times, she needs someone to anchor her.

(c) Her fluency in English helped her anchor several programmes on TV.

2. The following three compound words end in – ship. What does each of them mean ?

Ans. airship : any self-propelled aircraft that is lighter than air and can be steered.

Flagship : the ship carrying the commander of a fleet or squadron and displaying his flag. It also means the finest, largest or newest of a steamship line.

lightship : the ship moored in a place dangerous to navigation and bearing lights, foghorns and sirens, etc. to warn or guide pilots.

3. The following are the meanings listed in the dictionary against the phrase ‘take on’. In which meaning is it used in the third paragraph of the account :

take on sth : to begin to have a particular quality or appearance to assume sth.

take sb on : to employ sb; to engage sb to accept sb as one’s opponent in a game, contest or conflict

take sb/sth on : to decide to do sth; to allow sth/sb to enter, e.g. a bus, plane or ship; to take sth/sb on board

Ans. In the third paragraph, the phrase ‘take on’ is used to mean to employ or engage somebody. “There, before heading east, we took on two crewmen-American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb

Seigler………”

THINGS TO DO

Given below is a picture of a yacht. Label the parts of the yacht using the terms given in the box.

2. Here is some information downloaded from the internet in lle Amsterdam. You can view images of the isle if you go online.

3. Locate lle Amsterdam on the world map.

Ans. [Please note : Students will do themselves ]

Additional Questions & Answers

1. Describe the narrator’s boat, how did the narrator hurt himself?

Ans:- The narrator and his wife plan a voyage around the world just like famous Captain James Cook. They have been preparing and perfecting their seafaring skills for the past 16 years. They get a ship which is 23 metres long and weighs 30 tons wooden-hulled, named Wave Walker. They test it in the rough weather for months.

On January 2nd the narrator hurt himself because of a great explosion on the deck. In the evening, a vertical and huge wave struck the ship and the narrator was thrown off from the ship. He accepts his ‘approaching death’ and starts losing consciousness. 

2. Describe the bravery of Jonathan? How did they reach Ile Amsterdam?

Ans:- Jonathan was Gordon Cook’s 6 year old son who had accompanied him on the round the world journey. After the Wavewalker was terribly broken by the wave, he acted very courageously. He gave a new strength to his father when he said he was not afraid to die if he could be together with the family. These words filled the author with new determination and courage.

Large waves caused much damage to the boat, and water was entering the boat. In that situation, they went to reach a safe place. They reached the island with little struggle and with the help of inhabitants.

3. Explain the narrator’s effect on finding the small island for the last time?

Ans:- The narrator was searching for a 65 kilometre wide island in an ocean of 150,000 kilometres. He worked optimistically on wind speeds, changes of course, drift and current.He calculated and recalculated everything and also took help of the sextant. He advised one of the crewmen to turn 185 degrees and told them that by 5 in the evening they would reach there.

4. Is Suzanne seriously hurt? How was she cured?

Ans:- Yes, she was hurt. She was seven years of age. Her eyes were badly swollen and there was a deep cut on her arm but she did not cry and incessantly told her father that she was alright.  She had to undergo six minor operations to remove the blood clotting from her brain.

5. What were the difficulties they all faced that night?

Ans:- In July 1976, they all started their journey from Plymouth, England. The first portion of the journey that is about 1,05,000 kilometres up to Cape Town passed off very enjoyably. On the 2nd day out of Cape Town, they started to encounter strong windstorms. Windstorms did not worry about the narrator. But the height of the waves was alarming up to fifteen metres above that was as high as the mainmast.At the dawn of 2nd January, the waves were huge in size.Unexpectedly at 6 pm, a terrific explosion shook the Wavewalker and the writer was thrown overboard. The Wavewalker was about to overturn when another massive wave hit it, throwing it upright one more time. The writer was thrown back again on the deck, his head and ribs were smashing touching the walls of the Wavewalker. In spite of a lot of injuries, the writer took charge of the situation and decided to handle it on his own. Larry and Herb started pumping out water from the ship.He instructs his wife Mary to guard the wheel as he realises that the ship has water in the lower parts. His crewman starts pumping out the water. The narrator goes to his children’s cabin and checks on them. The narrator does water-proofing on the gaping holes. This causes water to deviate on the right side.  They all keep pumping the water all night long. 

The ship is in bad shape now. It is not in a condition to reach Australia, and so, they decide to reach the nearest island, Ile Amsterdam, a French Scientific base. After pumping the water out continuously for 36 hours, they took a sigh of relief. Only a few centimetres of water was left to be pumped out of the boat. They hoisted the storm jib as the mainmast was destroyed. The struggle continued and the narrator tried his best to protect the weakened starboard side. The same evening, the narrator and his wife sat together holding hands, thinking that their end was near. His children continuously supported him which gave him moral support to keep going.They reached the island with little struggle and with the help of inhabitants. 

6. How did they deal with the water that had gushed into the ship?

Ans:- The narrator does water-proofing on the gaping holes. This causes water to deviate on the right side. The hand pump gets blocked due to debris and electric-pump gets short-circuited. However, he later finds a spare electric pump and connects it to drain the water. They all keep pumping the water all night long. After pumping the water out continuously for 36 hours, they took a sigh of relief. Only a few centimetres of water was left to be pumped out of the boat. 

7. Why did the narrator feel that it was the most beautiful island?

Ans:- The narrator felt very happy about landing on the island because he lost all his hope of becoming alive in the ocean and when he got to know that he found Amsterdam island . There was a new hope in the eyes of the narrator and his child’s. It was because, after all of their ordeals at sea, the island represented a ray of hope for them. 

Dev Kirtonia

Hi, I’m Dev Kirtonia, Founder & CEO of Dev Library. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.