Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water

Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water Question Answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapters Assam Board Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water and select needs one.

Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water

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Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here.

Deep Water

Lesson – 3

PROSE

Page No – 27

1. What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about? 

Ans: William Douglas recounts the terrifying misadventure he faced at the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool. One day, when he was alone, a hefty boy suddenly grabbed him and shouted, “Hi, Skinny!” Without warning, the bully picked him up and threw him into the deep end of the pool. Douglas sank straight to the bottom, overwhelmed by fear and the thought of drowning. This traumatic experience left a lasting impact on him, rekindling his deep fear of water and causing him immense distress and anxiety.

2. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface? 

Ans: Douglas did not lose his composure immediately when he was thrown into the pool. Though frightened, he formulated a plan to reach the surface. However, he struggled to execute it. Overwhelmed by terror, he felt suffocated as water engulfed him. His senses dulled, his heart pounded furiously, and his limbs froze in fear. In a desperate attempt to escape, his thoughts became disoriented, and his lungs burned for air. Eventually, he lost all strength and willpower, succumbing to unconsciousness.

His plan was to let himself sink until his feet touched the bottom, then push off forcefully like a cork to reach the surface. From there, he intended to lie flat on the water and paddle towards the pool’s edge.

3. How did this experience affect him? 

Ans: The near-death experience of drowning left a deep psychological impact on him. For many years, he had a severely disturbed emotional equilibrium. He was deprived of any water-related activity since he couldn’t stand being near water.

Page No – 29

1. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

Ans: William Douglas was determined to overcome his fear of water because it had haunted him for years and deprived him of enjoying water-related activities. To conquer this fear, he hired a swimming instructor who trained him systematically. After learning to swim, he tested himself by swimming in lakes and rivers. Though the fear resurfaced in brief moments, he faced it bravely and assured himself that he could swim. Eventually, he overcame his fear completely.

2. How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas? 

Ans: The coach gradually worked on Douglas’ mindset before focusing on his physical movements, eventually combining all aspects to transform him into a swimmer.

At first, he made Douglas swim back and forth across the pool to help him get accustomed to the water. To ensure his safety, the coach used a training device consisting of a rope, belt, pulley, and an overhead wire to keep them connected. Step by step, he taught Douglas essential swimming techniques, such as submerging his head in the water, exhaling and inhaling correctly, and coordinating his hands, body, and legs. Finally, he integrated these skills into a complete swimming routine, helping Douglas gain confidence in the water.

3. How did Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror?

Ans: To ensure that he had completely conquered his old terror, Douglas went to Lake Wentworth to swim. There, he tried every stroke he had learned and confronted the lingering traces of fear that surfaced in the middle of the lake. However, he fought back and continued swimming without hesitation. Finally, during his diving expedition in Warm Lake, he felt a deep sense of triumph, realizing that he had truly overcome his fear of water.

1. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

Ans: Douglas vividly conveys his sense of panic as he almost drowns at the Y.M.C.A. pool by providing a detailed account of his emotional, mental, and physical struggle. His first-person narration allows the readers to deeply connect with his terrifying experience.

At first, he remained somewhat composed and devised a strategy to reach the surface, but as soon as it failed, panic took over. He describes his suffocation, fear, and loss of control in a way that makes the reader feel his helplessness. His eyes could only see the dirty yellow water, his voice failed him, and his nose and mouth took in water instead of air. His limbs became paralyzed with terror, his mind grew dizzy, and his lungs ached. His desperate struggle continued until he went down for the third time and lost consciousness. These minute yet intense details make the description vivid and realistic.

2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? 

Ans: He tried to conquer his fear of water on his own. However, when that approach didn’t work, he hired a tutor who carefully addressed Douglas’ anxiety. Under the tutor’s guidance, Douglas began learning to swim.

Next, he practiced breathing techniques in the water to overcome his fear of submerging his head. Gradually, he mastered each swimming technique, which his instructor later combined into a complete swimming experience. After six months, Douglas not only became a proficient swimmer but also significantly reduced his fear.

This marked the beginning of his true journey to completely conquer his fear. He swam alone in the pool, went diving at Lake Wentworth, and practiced every stroke he had learned. Eventually, during his dive in Warm Lake, he realized that he had fully overcome his fear.

3. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from this experience?

Ans: Douglas once had a terrifying experience at the YMCA pool when a bully, unaware of his presence, picked him up and threw him into the deep end. Despite struggling for a long time, he nearly drowned. This traumatic incident instilled a deep fear of water, making him avoid any water-related activities. Determined to overcome this fear, he hired an instructor to help him become a swimmer.

Through perseverance and sheer willpower, he achieved his goal. He even swam in large lakes like Wentworth and Warm Lake, proving to himself that he had truly conquered his fear. He shares these experiences to emphasize that fear must be faced and overcome. Fear is often a creation of the mind, and if left unchecked, it can grow larger. As Roosevelt wisely said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

The deeper significance of his triumph is that, in the near-drowning incident, he had confronted the sensation of death and the fear it brings. Once he overcame these fears, he realized there was nothing left to fear in life. He became a free man.

1. ‘‘All we have to fear is fear itself.’’ Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome? Share your experience with your partner.

Ans: Like Roosevelt said, “All we have to fear is fear itself,” and I truly believe that. Fear can often hold us back from experiencing new things, but once we face it head-on, we realize how much power we have to overcome it. My fear was similar to the author’s; it was the fear of speaking in public. I would get nervous just thinking about it, and the idea of addressing a group made me anxious.

I had to face this fear when I was asked to give a presentation at school. I was terrified, but I knew I had to try. At first, I stumbled, my hands shook, and my voice was unsteady. But as I continued, I slowly gained confidence. The more I practiced, the less fear I felt. By the end of it, I realized that public speaking wasn’t as scary as I once thought. It was all in my mind, and once I overcame the fear, I felt liberated and confident.

Now, I enjoy speaking in front of others, and it has become one of my strengths. Just like Roosevelt said, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Once we face it, we can conquer it!

2. Find and narrate other stories about conquest of fear and what people have said about courage. For example, you can recall Nelson Mandela’s struggle for freedom, his perseverance to achieve his mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor as depicted in his autobiography. The story We’re Not Afraid To Die, which you have read in Class XI, is an apt example of how courage and optimism helped a family survive under the direst stress.

Ans: Winston Churchill is one of the most iconic figures in history when it comes to the conquest of fear. During World War II, when Britain was on the brink of defeat, Churchill delivered several speeches that galvanized the spirit of the nation. His famous words, “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”, embodied the courage required to lead Britain through its darkest times. Churchill’s speeches were an essential part of overcoming the fear of losing the war, and they inspired countless people to stand firm in the face of adversity.

If someone else had narrated Douglas’s experience, how would it have differed from this account? Write out a sample paragraph or paragraphs from this text from the point of view of a third person or observer, to find out which style of narration would you consider to be more effective? Why?

Ans: If the story had been told in the third person, the reader’s emotional connection with the protagonist and his intense dread of water would have been lost. The narrator would have delivered the story passively from the viewpoint of an observer. The experience of drowning in water could not have adequately conveyed Douglas’s “stark fear.” The eighth and ninth paragraphs of a third-person narrative might look like this: “He flailed at the surface of the water, swallowed, and choked. He tried to lift his legs, but they hung like lifeless weights, immobile. He was being dragged under by a powerful force. He yelled, but only the water responded to his scream. He began his long journey back to the bottom of the pool. As he slid down, he struck at the water, wasting his effort as if fighting an unstoppable force in a nightmare. He hadn’t taken a breath in a long time. His lungs ached. His head pounded. He felt dizzy. But he remembered his plan: he’d leap from the depths of the pool and float to the surface like a cork. He’d lie flat on the water, kicking his legs and flailing his arms. Then he’d swim to the edge and be safe.”

As a result, the reader would not be as deeply engaged as they are with the first-person narrative. The first-person account makes the experience more relevant and tangible, drawing the reader in by allowing them to share in the protagonist’s experience. The desperation and helplessness of almost drowning, the mental and physical agony of struggling to survive, the gradual overcoming of fear, and the final joy of conquering it-all make the reader feel like a part of the experience. Because the novel is told in the first person, readers find it to be a fast-paced, urgent, and emotionally charged read.

1. Doing well in any activity, for example a sport, music, dance or painting, riding a motorcycle or a car, involves a great deal of struggle. Most of us are very nervous to begin with until gradually we overcome our fears and perform well. 

Write an essay of about five paragraphs recounting such an experience. Try to recollect minute details of what caused the fear, your feelings, the encouragement you got from others or the criticism. 

You could begin with the last sentence of the essay you have just read – ‘‘At last I felt released – free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to brush aside fear.’’ 

Ans: At last, I felt released – free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to brush aside fear. My journey to overcoming fear was not an easy one, and it began when I first tried to learn how to ride a bicycle. At that time, the very idea of balancing myself on two wheels seemed impossible. The thought of falling made my heart race, and I was paralyzed with fear. I remember how the mere sight of the bicycle brought back memories of failed attempts and scrapes, making me reluctant to try again. The fear was suffocating, as I believed that I would never be able to control the bike, much less ride it confidently.

It was my younger brother who noticed my hesitation and encouraged me to keep going. He would smile and tell me that everyone experiences difficulty at the start, but perseverance is the key. He held the back of the bike as I pedaled, ensuring that I didn’t fall. Every time I wobbled or felt the bike tipping, my fear would take over, and I would freeze, ready to quit. But he patiently reassured me, “It’s okay. You’ll get better with time. Just keep pedaling.” Slowly, his words began to sink in, and I started to trust him, and most importantly, myself.

The turning point came one afternoon when I was cycling down a small slope. My feet were on the pedals, my body was balanced, and I suddenly realized I wasn’t holding onto anything anymore. I was riding the bike on my own, without fear. It was a liberating moment, and the thrill of being free from fear swept over me. It was like a weight had been lifted, and for the first time, I felt in control of my surroundings. My heart raced with excitement, but this time, it wasn’t from fear. It was pure exhilaration, knowing that I had conquered something that once seemed impossible.

But even then, my journey didn’t end. There were still moments when I faltered, especially when riding on unfamiliar terrain or encountering obstacles. I would occasionally lose my balance, but I had learned not to give up. I would get back up, dust myself off, and continue. The encouragement from my brother, as well as the feeling of achievement after each small success, kept me going. Slowly, my confidence grew, and I began to enjoy the process of learning. I no longer dreaded riding, and instead, I looked forward to each new challenge.

Reflecting on this experience, I realized that the struggle to overcome fear is universal. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bike, a sport, or any other skill; the key to overcoming fear lies in persistence and self-belief. Encouragement from others can push us forward, but it is our own determination that finally frees us from the chains of fear. And once we conquer it, we find that the world opens up in ways we never imagined.

2. Write a short letter to someone you know about your having learnt to do something new.

Ans: Date: 19  march 2025 

Dear, Rashmi 

I write to you with great excitement and a profound sense of achievement. I’ve finally learned how to swim! You’ve always known about my fear of the pool, and although I enjoyed beach holidays, the waves always seemed to frighten me. On several occasions, I feared I might drown in the sea. It made me feel terrible, especially when I saw others having fun in the pool or at the beach. I did try stepping into the swimming pool once or twice, but I never dared to let go of the sides.

Last October, I made up my mind when I got the chance to use a relative’s private pool. In just seven days, I was able to swim across the pool from one end to the other and even learned how to exhale underwater. Now, whenever we go on a holiday, I don’t have to sit by the pool watching others swim. While I’m not quite at a professional level yet, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved.

I’m thrilled with this accomplishment and wanted to share it with you because I know you’ll understand how much it means to me. If you’re determined to overcome your fears, nothing can stand in your way.

Please convey my regards to everyone in your family.

With love and best wishes.

Are there any water sports in India? Find out about the areas or places which are known for water sports.

Ans:  

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