Short & Long Answer Question - We are Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together | English Class 11 PDF Download

Short Answer Type Questions 

Q1: What did the narrator plan to do? What preparations did he make for it?
Ans: The narrator had a bold plan to undertake a round-the-world sea voyage, retracing the route of Captain James Cook from two centuries ago. To prepare for this significant journey, he and his wife dedicated their leisure time over the past 16 years to enhancing their sailing skills. They worked diligently to expand their knowledge and expertise, ensuring they were well-equipped for the challenges ahead.

Q2: Give a brief description of the narrator’s boat. How had the narrator equipped and tested it?
Ans: The narrator's boat, known as Wavewalker, is a stunning wooden vessel that measures 23 meters in length and weighs 30 tons. Built with great skill, it has a captivating presence. To prepare for their journey, the narrator and their crew dedicated several months to equipping and testing the ship under the harshest weather conditions they could find, ensuring it was ready to face any challenges ahead.

Q3: How long did the narrator plan his voyage to last?
Ans: The narrator planned his round-the-world journey to cover 105,000 kilometres over a period of three years.

Q4: When and with whom did the narrator begin his voyage?
Ans: The narrator began his sea voyage in July 1976. He had his wife Mary, six-year-old son Jonathan and seven-year-old daughter Suzanne with him. They set sail from Plymouth, England.

Q5: Whom did the narrator employ and why? When did he do so?
Ans: The narrator employed two crewmen, Larry Vigil from America and Herb Seigler from Switzerland, to assist in navigating the southern Indian Ocean, which is known for its treacherous conditions. He engaged them before departing from Cape Town.

Q6: What happened on their second day out of Cape Town? What worried the narrator and why?
Ans: On their second day out of Cape Town, they encountered strong gales that persisted for several weeks. While gales did not concern the narrator, the size of the waves was alarming, reaching heights of up to 15 metres, equivalent to the height of their main mast.

Q7: How did they celebrate the Christmas holidays?
Ans: They were 3,500 kilometers east of Cape Town on 25 December. The weather was very bad. Still, they had a wonderful holiday—complete with a Christmas tree. New Year’s Day saw no improvement in the weather.

Q8: How did the weather change on January 2? How did they feel?
Ans: The weather deteriorated significantly on January 2. The waves became gigantic, and as the ship climbed each wave, they could see endless seas rolling towards them. The wind's screaming and the spray were painful to their ears. To manage the situation, they dropped the storm jib and secured a heavy mooring rope across the stern, preparing for the worst.

Q9: What efforts were made to face the rough weather?
Ans: To tackle the rough weather, the crew took several important steps. They first slowed down the ship's speed and dropped the storm jib to reduce sail area. A heavy mooring rope was then lashed in a loop across the stern for added stability. The crew secured all loose items and conducted a life-raft drill to ensure readiness. They also attached lifelines and donned waterproof clothing along with life jackets to prepare for any emergencies.

Q10: What sort of wave hit the ship? How did the narrator react?
Ans: It was a mighty and huge wave. It appeared perfectly vertical. It was almost twice the height of the other waves. It had a very unpleasant breaking crest. The narrator had never seen such an enormous wave, so he was filled with horror.

Q11: What was the impact of the torrent on the narrator and Wavewalker?
Ans: A tremendous explosion shook the deck of Wavewalker, causing the narrator to hit his head on the wheel and be thrown overboard, sinking beneath the waves. As he accepted his fate, he unexpectedly surfaced. Meanwhile, Wavewalker was nearly capsizing, with her masts almost horizontal. The situation was dire, with the ship taking on water and the crew struggling to maintain control. After the wave hit, the narrator faced immense challenges. He found himself tossed around the deck, sustaining injuries, including cracked ribs and broken teeth. Despite the chaos, he managed to grab the wheel and align the ship for the next wave. The crew worked frantically to pump out water, but the damage was severe, with the starboard side bulging inwards and the ship at risk of sinking. As the storm rages on, the narrator and his family experience fear and uncertainty, yet they also demonstrate resilience. The crew's determination to survive shone through as they took turns at the wheel and attempted repairs. Ultimately, they clung to hope, knowing they had to reach land to escape the perilous situation.

Q12: How did the narrator manage to survive the attacks of subsequent waves?
Ans: One of the waves threw the ship upright, allowing the narrator to reach the main boom. Subsequent waves tossed him around the deck like a rag doll, resulting in a cracked rib and a mouth filled with blood and broken teeth. Despite the chaos, he managed to find the wheel, align the stern for the next wave, and hold on firmly.

Q13: How did the narrator and the other members react to the presence of water in the ship?
Ans: The narrator was unable to leave the wheel to check the damage. Mary shouted that they were sinking and that the decks were broken. Larry and Herb were frantically pumping out water, while Sue, despite having a large bump on her head, assured everyone that she was fine. The situation was chaotic, with the ship taking on water rapidly.

The starboard side of the ship had been severely damaged, allowing water to pour in with each wave. The narrator faced an urgent need to make repairs to prevent the ship from sinking. He quickly gathered a hammer, screws, and canvas to cover the large holes. Although some water continued to enter, his efforts helped to redirect most of it over the side, buying them time to address the situation.

Q15. What problems did the narrator face during the night of January 2, 1977?
Ans: The narrator faced several significant problems on the night of January 2, 1977. The hand pumps became blocked with debris floating around the cabins, and the electric pump short-circuited. As a result, the water level rose dangerously. Additionally, the two spare hand pumps were wrenched overboard, and the waves carried away the forestay sail, the jib, the dinghies, and the main anchor from the deck.

Q16. How did the narrator react to the problems? What does it reveal?
Ans: The narrator remained calm and courageous despite the challenges faced. He thought clearly and recalled that there was another electric pump located under the chartroom floor. Upon checking, he was relieved to find it in working order. Although they received no replies to their distress radio signals, he was not surprised, as they were in a remote area of the world.

Q17. “I didn’t want to worry you when you were trying to save us all,” said Sue. What has happened to her?
Ans: Sue had sustained significant injuries. Her head had swollen alarmingly, and she had developed two enormous black eyes. Additionally, she displayed a deep cut on her arm. Despite her injuries, she chose not to disturb her father, as he was preoccupied with more important tasks.

Q18. Why do you think the narrator searched for an island so eagerly?
Ans: The wave that struck Wavewalker caused severe damage, smashing nearly all the boat's mainframes down to the keel. A section of the starboard hull was only being held up by a few cupboard partitions. Wavewalker could not withstand the journey to Australia, prompting the narrator to search for an island to repair the boat.

Q19. Why could they not set any sail on the main mast on 4 January?
Ans: The ship's hull had suffered significant damage. Attempting to set any sail on the main mast would have placed too much pressure on the rigging, risking further destruction of the already compromised hull. Instead, they hoisted the storm jib and navigated towards the islands.

Q20. How did little Jonathan react to the desperate situation they found themselves in on 5 January?
Ans: Little Jonathan reacted to the desperate situation by asking his father if they were going to die. The narrator attempted to reassure him that they would survive. Despite the fear, Jonathan bravely declared that he was not afraid of death, as long as they could all be together.

Q21. How did the narrator respond to little Jon’s words? What do his actions reveal about his character?
Ans: He struggled to find the right words to respond to Jon's question. However, he felt a strong urge to fight against the sea with all his strength. To protect the weakened starboard side of the ship, he decided to stop the vessel and used an improvised anchor made from heavy nylon ropes and two 22-litre plastic barrels of paraffin. This demonstrates his resourcefulness and determination in a crisis.

Q22. When do you think Mary and the narrator feel the end is near? Why did they feel so?
Ans: On the evening of 5 January 1977, Mary and I sat together, holding hands, as the ship's motion allowed more water to enter through the broken planks. At that moment, we both felt that the end was very near.

Q23. “Optimism and courage help to tide over difficulties”. How did the narrator succeed in searching the small island?
Ans: The narrator successfully searched for a 65-kilometre-wide island in a vast ocean spanning 150,000 kilometres. He maintained an optimistic approach, focusing on factors such as wind speeds, course changes, drift, and current. To determine their location accurately, he used a sextant for precise calculations.

Q24. How did Sue try to enliven the gloomy atmosphere?
Ans: Sue tried to lighten the gloomy atmosphere despite her injuries. She created a funny card featuring caricatures of Mary and the narrator, calling them "funny people" who had made her laugh. Inside, she expressed her love, gratitude, and good wishes, aiming to bring a smile to their faces during a difficult time.

Q25. The narrator says, “I told him with a conviction I did not feel.” What led him to believe so?
Ans: The narrator lacked confidence due to the loss of his main compass, relying instead on a spare compass that had not been adjusted for magnetic variation. He had to account for this discrepancy and also consider the impact of the westerly currents in the Indian Ocean. Despite checking and rechecking his calculations, he felt uncertain and had to depend on luck.

Q26. What gloomy thoughts occurred to the narrator? What pleasant surprise was in store for him?
Ans: The narrator was troubled by the thought that they might have missed the island. With the sail they had left, they felt it was impossible to navigate back against the westerly winds. However, when Jonathan called him the best daddy in the world, it filled him with a surge of hope.

Q27. What did Sue tell her Daddy about the island? What did he notice himself?
Ans: Sue told her Daddy that the island was as big as a battleship and was right in front of them. The narrator looked at its distinct outline, revealing a stark piece of volcanic rock with minimal vegetation.

Q28. Why do you think, did the narrator call  Amsterdam ‘the most beautiful island in the world’?
Ans: Ile Amsterdam is a small island formed from volcanic rock, with minimal vegetation and a population of just 28 people. Despite its size and barren landscape, the island offers protection from the powerful ocean waves and serves as a vital location for repairing the damaged ship. This combination of safety and utility likely led the narrator to describe it as the most beautiful island in the world.

Q29. What did the narrator think of while landing at lie Amsterdam? Why?
Ans: While landing at Ile Amsterdam, the narrator reflected on his companions. He admired Larry and Herb for their cheerful and optimistic attitudes, even in such dire circumstances. His wife, Mary, had remained at the wheel during the critical hours, showing her strength and resolve. He also thought of his daughter, Suzanne, who refrained from worrying him about her head injury, and his son, Jonathan, who faced the possibility of death without fear.

Q30. How can you say that Suzanne’s injuries were serious?
Ans: Suzanne's injuries were serious. She had a noticeable bump on her head that was quite swollen, and her eyes were severely bruised, narrowed to slits. The extent of her head injury required six minor operations to remove a recurring blood clot between her skin and skull. This clearly indicates the severity of her injuries.

Long Answer Type Questions

Ans: A mighty wave hit the stem of their ship, 'Wavewalker’ on the evening of 2nd January. A tremendous explosion shook the deck. A torrent of green and white water broke over the ship. The narrator’s head struck against the wheel. He was swept overboard. He was sinking below the waves and losing consciousness. He accepted his approaching death. He felt quite peaceful.

Suddenly, his head appeared out of the water. A few meters away, “Wavewalker ’ was turning over in the water. Her masts were almost horizontal. Then, a wave hurled her upright. The narrator’s lifeline jerked tautly. He grabbed the guard rails and sailed through the air into Wavewalker’s main boom. Succeeding waves tossed him around the deck like a rag doll. His left rib cracked. His mouth was filled with blood and broken teeth. Somehow, he found the wheel, lined up the stem for the next wave, and held it tightly.

Q2: What damage did ‘Wavewalker’ suffer as a result of bad weather?
Ans: Mighty waves struck ‘Wavewalker’. The decks were smashed. Water was gushing in through holes and openings. The whole starboard side had bulged inwards. Clothes, crockery, charts, tins and toys moved around noisily in deep water.
Their hand pumps got blocked up with the debris floating around the cabins. The electric pump short-circuited. The water level rose high. The two spare hand pumps had been wrenched overboard. Waves had also swept off the forestay sail, the jib, the dinghies and the main anchor.
There was a tremendous leak somewhere below the waterline. The boat’s main rib frames were smashed down to the keel. A whole section of the starboard hull was being held up by a few cupboard partitions only. The hull of the ship had been damaged so badly that the pressure of rigging could simply pull the damaged section of the hull apart. Wavewalker was so damaged that she could not hold together long enough to reach Australia.

Q3: What efforts did the narrator make to save the ship and its passengers?
Ans: At first, he slowed down the ship. He dropped the storm jib and lashed heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stem. They double-fastened everything. They attached lifelines, put on waterproof clothes and life jackets. After being hit by the first mighty wave, the narrator hands over the wheel to Mary. He stretched canvas and fastened waterproof hatch covers across the gaping holes in the starboard side. As the two hand pumps got blocked and the electric pump short-circuited, he found another electric pump and started it.
Then he checked his charts and started searching for an island—like Amsterdam. He got a reading on the sextant. He worked on wind speeds, changes of course, drift, and current. He calculated their position. He checked and rechecked his calculations. They had lost the main compass. He made a discount for magnetic variation in the spare one and also of the influence of the westerly currents. Then he asked Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees. They succeeded in reaching the island after 4 hours.

Q4: What impression do you form about the narrator on the basis of reading ‘We’re not Afraid to Die….If We can All be Together’?
Ans: The narrator, a 37-year-old businessman, was a lover of adventure. He had dreamt of going around the world sea voyage. He and his wife had spent all their leisure hours for 16 years developing and improving their skills in work or travel on sea. This shows his love for perfection and attention to detail.
The narrator was practical in his approach. He engaged two crewmen to help them sail through the rough waters of the southern Indian Ocean. He had keen foresight. They made advance preparations to protect the ship and passengers against violent sea storms. He did not lose hope, calm or courage in the face of difficulties. He had his priorities fixed. Repairing the damaged ship was essential. Everything else, including injuries, could wait. He was resourceful also. He managed to steer the course with the help of whatever had been left with them. His presence of mind helped them to overcome troubles. He had a level head. He made exact calculations of their positions and that of the island. He fixed the course and speed. His self-confidence and practical knowledge made him a good captain.

Q5. What difference did you notice between the reactions of the adults and the children when faced with danger?

Ans: Adults tend to be more thoughtful and worried in dangerous situations because they have more responsibilities. They understand the seriousness of the situation and often feel a lot of mental pressure and fear. In contrast, children are innocent and have little experience with fear or grief. They don't fully grasp the complexity of the situation and are more likely to accept it calmly.

In the story, the narrator and his wife are extremely worried, thinking they might not survive. The narrator felt a huge amount of stress and fear as he was responsible for saving his family. On the other hand, the children reacted bravely. Jonathon, the little boy, told his father he wasn't afraid of death. Suzanne, who was only nine, endured the pain of a head injury and even made a card to cheer up her parents.

Overall, the children showed more spontaneity and courage than the adults in the face of danger.