Previous Year: Short Questions With Answers - We are Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together

Q. 1. Why did the narrator call Amsterdam the most beautiful island in the world?
Ans: The narrator called Amsterdam the most beautiful island in the world not because of its physical appearance-which was a bleak piece of volcanic rock with little vegetation-but because it represented hope and rescue. After a terrifying ordeal at sea when survival seemed unlikely, sighting the island meant safety, relief and the possibility of tending to the injured, so it became the most beautiful place to them.

Q. 2. Give a brief description of the narrator's boat. How had the narrator equipped and tested it?
Ans: The narrator's boat, Wavewalker, was a professionally built, 23-metre, 30-ton wooden-hulled vessel designed for long voyages. The narrator and his family spent months preparing her, fitting essential equipment and safety gear, and repeatedly testing the boat in rough weather to ensure her seaworthiness and reliability for a round-the-world journey.

Q. 3. When did the narrator set sail for his round-the-world voyage and how did it pass in the beginning?
Ans: The narrator set sail from Plymouth, England, in July 1976 with his wife, Mary, and their children Jonathan (6) and Suzanne (7). At the outset the voyage proceeded smoothly: they crossed the west coast of Africa and made for Cape Town, enjoying generally favourable weather during the early stages.

Q. 4. How did they celebrate their Christmas holidays?
Ans: They celebrated Christmas on 25 December about 3,500 km east of Cape Town despite poor weather. Determined to keep up family traditions, they managed a cheerful celebration complete with a Christmas tree, though the weather remained unfavourable as they entered the New Year.

Q. 5. What happened on January 2nd? What did the narrator do to face the strong and high waves?
Ans: On 2 January the seas grew enormous and the boat was repeatedly struck by very large waves. To meet the danger the narrator reduced sail by dropping the storm jib, lashed heavy mooring ropes across the stern, double-lashed all loose equipment, and carried out a life-raft drill with the crew to prepare for an emergency abandonment if it became necessary.

Q. 6. What happened on the second day of Cape Town?
Ans: On the second day after leaving Cape Town they met strong gales that continued for weeks. The narrator was especially alarmed by very large waves, some estimated at about 15 metres high, nearly level with their main mast, which made the situation extremely hazardous.

Q. 7. What was the first indication of the impending disaster?
Ans: The first indication of the impending disaster was an eerie silence and a sudden darkening of the sky, followed by the appearance of what seemed to be a huge cloud. In fact this was a massive wave-almost twice the height of the others-that rose vertically over them and signalled imminent danger.

Q. 8. What sort of wave hit the ship? How did the narrator react?
Ans: The ship was struck by a gigantic, vertical wave with a breaking crest, far larger than the surrounding seas. The narrator, who had never seen such a wave, was filled with terror and realised immediately that they faced a life-threatening situation.

Q. 9. "The roar increased to thunder." What happened then?
Ans: The roar grew until it resembled thunder, then a tremendous explosion shook the deck as a torrent of green sea flooded over the boat. The narrator was struck hard, his head hit the wheel, and he began to lose consciousness while bracing himself for death as the ship was violently battered.

Q. 10. How did the narrator manage to survive through the attacks of subsequent waves?
Ans: One wave briefly threw the ship upright, allowing the narrator to grab the main boom. Despite being tossed about and badly injured-his ribs cracked and some teeth broken-he found the wheel, steered the boat to face each incoming wave and held on with determination, actions that helped him survive the successive attacks.

Q. 11. What was the impact of the torrent on the narrator and Wavewalker?
Ans: The torrent violently shook the deck and threw the narrator overboard; he sank but managed to resurface and keep afloat. Wavewalker was pushed to the point of capsizing, with her masts nearly horizontal, and suffered heavy structural damage.

Q. 12. How did the narrator and the other members react to the presence of water in the ship?
Ans: The narrator stayed at the wheel because he could not leave the steering while the boat was in danger. Mary reported that the decks were broken and that the boat was sinking. Larry and Herb worked continuously to pump out water, and though Sue had a large bump over her eye she reassured her parents that she and the other children were all right.

Q. 13. The narrator says "more problems arose." What were those problems?
Ans: Additional problems included hand pumps clogging with debris, electric pumps failing, rising water levels, and damage to spare pumps. Essential equipment such as sails, dinghies and the main anchor were also damaged, worsening their situation.

Q. 14. What was the position on January 3rd?
Ans: By 3 January they had managed to bring the water level largely under control, but leakage persisted below the waterline. Several main rib frames were damaged, leaving a large section of the starboard hull unsupported and making the boat structurally compromised.

Q. 15. How did the narrator react to the problems? What does it reveal?
Ans: The narrator remained calm and practical. He remembered and located another electric pump under the chartroom floor and succeeded in getting it working. His composure and quick thinking reveal resourcefulness, leadership and an ability to act under pressure.

Q. 16. How did things ease on January 4th after 36 hours of continuous pumping?
Ans: After 36 hours of continuous pumping by 4 January most of the water had been removed. However, they could not use the main mast because it would have strained the damaged hull; instead they hoisted the storm jib and steered for the nearest island.

Q. 17. What was the scene before the narrator when the huge wave had broken over the boat?
Ans: When the huge wave broke over the boat it flooded the decks and left a chaotic scene: Larry and Herb pumping desperately amid floating broken timbers, clothes, crockery, charts, tins and toys, all evidence of the severe damage the boat had suffered.

Q. 18. How did Jonathan behave when the narrator went to comfort the children?
Ans: When the narrator went to comfort the children, Jonathan asked whether they were going to die. He then comforted his father by saying they would not be afraid to die as long as they were together, showing remarkable courage and maturity for his age.

Q. 19. "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 suffered serious injuries: a large swollen bump over one eye, both eyes badly bruised and a deep cut on her arm. Despite her injuries she withheld worry from her father because she knew he was fully occupied with saving the family and the boat.

Q. 20. How did the children cheer up the narrator when they saw an island named Ile Amsterdam?
Ans: On sighting Ile Amsterdam the children cheered the narrator. Jonathan hugged him and called him the best daddy and captain in the world, while Sue pointed out that they had found the island. Their optimism and affection gave the narrator emotional relief after the long ordeal.

Q. 21. How did Suzanne try to lighten the gloomy atmosphere?
Ans: Although Suzanne had a head injury, she was not frightened and tried to lift spirits by making a humorous card with caricatures of her hardworking parents. Her gesture introduced some welcome humour and helped to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

Q. 22. When do you think Mary and the narrator feel the end was near? Why did they feel so.
Ans: Mary and the narrator felt the end was near on the evening of 5 January 1977. They realised that the boat was taking in increasing amounts of water through broken planks and that efforts to stop the flooding were failing, so they sat together holding hands in acceptance of the likely outcome.

Q. 23. What did the narrator plan to do? What preparations did he make for it?
Ans: The narrator planned a round-the-world voyage modelled on Captain James Cook's voyages. To prepare he and his wife spent 16 years training and improving their sailing skills, carefully outfitted their boat Wavewalker with necessary equipment, and tested her in rough conditions to build confidence for such a long voyage.

Q. 24. How were the narrator and others received at the island? What did the narrator think then?
Ans: The next morning the narrator and his family were warmly received by the twenty-eight inhabitants of Ile Amsterdam. As they greeted them, the narrator reflected on the courage, endurance and optimism of his crew-Larry, Herb, Mary and the children-who had stayed resolute throughout the disaster.

Q. 25. How can you say Suzanne's injuries were serious?
Ans: Suzanne's injuries were serious because her head wound required six minor operations to remove a recurring blood clot between her skin and skull. In addition, both her eyes were severely blackened, indicating the force of the blow she had received.

Q. 26. Explain the title, "We are not afraid to die-if we can all be together." What lesson does it teach?
Ans: The title expresses the family's belief that being together is more important than fear of death. Faced with a life-threatening crisis they drew strength from unity and mutual support. The lesson is that courage, love and solidarity within a family or group can provide comfort and resolve in the worst circumstances.