NCERT

SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th

aglase .co
Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

Class : 11th

Subject : English

Chapter : 2

Chapter Name : We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together

Q1 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.

Answer. The arrival of atrocious weather brought a lot of perturbation along but the captain was
prepared enough to deal with all the hardships as;

(i) He dropped down the storm jib in order to lower the speed of the boat,lashed the mooring
rope, put on life jackets and oilskins and went through the life raft drill in case they need to
abandon the 'Wavewalker'.

(ii) To save the ship from sinking, the captain took a canvas and stretched it across the poles to
secure waterproof hatch covers which didn't prove to be a bad idea as it deflected water
sidewards. The captain also connected an electric pump to an out-pipe to lower the water level.

Thus, they were saved from a dreadful condition.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q2 Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Answer. After 36 hours of continuous pumping, the voyagers were relieved as the conditions
weren't that harsh on January 4. The rough weather abated and they had their first meal in the
two days. They were a tad bit relieved, however this comfort didn't last long as the weather was
alarming again on January 5. This day brought along the fear of losing lives which enthralled the
minds of voyagers with restlessness.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Understanding the text

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Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

Q3 Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the
text. Give a subtitle to each section.

Answer. The different shifts in the narration of the three sections are as follows;

(i) The First Section: This section is filled with the zeal of the narrator where he describes the
onset of his voyage across the world which he had been dreaming of, his entire life. He depicts
his fascination towards seafaring activities which he and his wife had honed. They were quite
cheerful and excited to go on the three-year voyage.

(ii) The Second Section: This was the most dreadful part of their entire journey, where they were
hit by the atrocious weather and almost lost the hope of being alive. Although with their
perseverance and hardwork they won over the weather. The captain and her daughter Sue,
faced major injuries, however their courage defeated the tyranny of nature.

(iii) The Third Section: This section brings the happiness in the hearts of voyagers as they were
no longer in the grip of danger. They ultimately found a small island where they managed to
take a new turn of life offering the opportunity to live again.

If provided the subtitles the most apt would be;

Section 1: The Voyage begins

Section 2: The Horrifying Sea

Section 3: The 'Triumph'

Page : 18 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q1 What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when
faced with danger?

Answer. There was a huge difference in the attitude of the adults and children.

When adults have lost all the hopes of being alive, children showed the utmost valor. They
showed faith in their father and tried to provide moral support to the family. Even at the time
when death was nearest to them, Jonn wasn't afraid to die and Sue tried to ease the condition
by giving greeting card to her family members.

Page 2 of 6 Aglasem Schools

Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

This shows when the adults failed to keep the hope of being alive, children proved to be the
wisest ones in the darkest of times.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q2 How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?

Answer. The entire instance of optimism lies in context of children, when they didn't lose the
hope of being the winner over tyrant gales. It was their optimism which kept up the 'never give
up' attitude of the captain. Their moral support fueled everyone with high spirits. It has been best
showcased when Sue presented the greeting card to her family members.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q3 What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face-to-face with
death?

Answer. We learn the following points to keep in mind while facing any unwanted hazardous
experience;

1. Optimism is the most important thing that helps us to give our best in the worst
situations.
2. Resilience is needed in order to chase victory.
3. One must fight with the utmost valor and courage one could.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q4 Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks
involved?

Page 3 of 6 Aglasem Schools

Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

Answer. Some people are adventurous to an extent that they even stake their life in order to
enjoy the moment. This might be a reason behind them taking such risks.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q1 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’?

Answer. Storm has many names in various languages but in Hindi it is popularly known as
'aandhi' and 'toofan'.

Page : 18 , Block Name : Thinking about language

Q2 Here are the terms for different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship, steamer,
schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.

Answer. There are many words in Hindi which are used for word 'boat' , some of the mostly
used are 'Naav', 'Kashti', 'Jahaz' and 'Nauka'

Page : 19 , Block Name : Thinking about language

Q3 ‘Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language this word is derived
from? Check the dictionary.

Answer. 'Catamaran' is derived from Tamil word, 'Kattumaram'.

Page : 19 , Block Name : Thinking about language

Page 4 of 6 Aglasem Schools

Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

Q4 Have you heard any boatmen’s songs? What kind of emotions do these songs usually
express?

Answer. Yes. Boatmen's songs generally express their love for the sea.

Page : 19 , Block Name : Thinking about language

Q1 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?

knot stern boom hatch anchor

Answer. Knot- loop, a tangled clump.

Stern- Strict , firm.

Boom- to flourish, to make a loud sound, to publicly praise.

Hatch - to produce or put forth

Anchor - Host of an event, final runner if a relay race, of relating to security and
stability.

Page : 19 , Block Name : Working with words

Q2 The following three compound words end in -ship. What does each of them mean?

Airship flagship lightship

Answer. Airship- An aircraft lighter than air that can be propelled forward through the air as well
as steered.

Flagship- The ship occupied by the fleet's commander who denotes it by flying his flag
in a maritime fleet ; the most important one of a related group.

Page 5 of 6 Aglasem Schools

Book Name : Hornbill Ncert Solutions | Chapter-2 English

Lightship- A ship equipped with a very large lamp.

Page : 19 , Block Name : Working with words

Q3 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

Answer. In the lines "...we took on two crewman to help us tackle ... roughest seas…" in the
third paragraph, the word 'took on' means to take somebody on i.e. to employ or engage
someone.

Page : 19 , Block Name : Working with words

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