CBSE Class 11 > Class 11 Notes > English > Unit Test Solutions: We're Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together
Unit Test Solutions: We're Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together
Time: 1 hour
M.M. 30
Attempt all questions.
- Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each .
- Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
- Question number 9 carry 4 marks each.
- Question numbers 10 and 11 carry 5 marks each
Q.1 Who were the authors of "We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together"? (1 mark)
(a) Khushwant Singh
(b) Gordon Cook and Alan East
(c) Shirley Toulson
(d) Nani Palkhivala
Ans: (b) Gordon Cook and Alan East
Gordon Cook and Alan East narrate a real-life adventure of survival at sea faced by a family during a round-the-world voyage.
Q.2 What was the name of the boat used in the voyage? (1 mark)
(a) Wavebreaker
(b) Wavewalker
(c) Seamaster
(d) Oceanrider
Ans: (b) Wavewalker
Wavewalker was a 23 metre, 30 ton wooden-hulled boat professionally built and tested in rough weather for the journey.
Q.3 The huge wave that hit the boat on January 2 was described as: (1 mark)
(a) A small ripple
(b) A cloud
(c) A vertical wave with a frightful breaking crest
(d) A gentle swell
Ans: (c) A vertical wave with a frightful breaking crest
The wave appeared perfectly vertical, almost twice the height of others, leading to the disaster that damaged the boat severely.
Q.4 Fill in the blank: The family set sail from ________, England, in July 1976. (1 mark)
Ans: Plymouth
Q.5 Fill in the blank: The two crewmen hired in Cape Town were Larry Vigil and ________. (1 mark)
Ans: Herb Seigler
Q.6 Mention any two steps taken by the captain to protect the ship when rough weather began on January 2. (2 marks)
Ans: To slow the boat down amid gigantic waves, the captain dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern. Additionally, the crew double-lashed everything, went through life-raft drill, attached lifelines, and donned oilskins and life jackets in preparation for the impending disaster.
Q.7 Why did the narrator feel peaceful while losing consciousness after the wave hit? Give two reasons. (2 marks)
Ans: As the narrator was thrown overboard and sinking below the waves after the tremendous explosion, he accepted his approaching death, leading to a sense of peace. This acceptance came from the realization that struggle was futile in that moment, and the overwhelming force of nature induced a calm resignation amid the chaos.
Q.8 Explain the significance of the title "We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together" in the context of the children's response during the crisis. (2 marks)
Ans: The title reflects the children's bravery and family unity when Jonathan told his father they were not afraid of dying if they could all be together. This statement, echoed by Sue, motivated the narrator to fight harder for survival, highlighting how collective strength and love overcame fear in the face of death.
Q.9 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (4 marks)
By morning on January 3, the pumps had the water level sufficiently under control for us to take two hours' rest in rotation. But we still had a tremendous leak somewhere below the waterline and, on checking, I found that nearly all the boat's main rib frames were smashed down to the keel. In fact, there was nothing holding up a whole section of the starboard hull except a few cupboard partitions. We had survived for 15 hours since the wave hit, but Wavewalker wouldn't hold together long enough for us to reach Australia. I checked our charts and calculated that there were two small islands a few hundred kilometres to the east. One of them, Ile Amsterdam, was a French scientific base. Our only hope was to reach these pinpricks in the vast ocean.
(i) The crew managed to control the water level using:
(a) Sails
(b) Pumps
(c) Canvas
(d) Anchors
Ans: (b) Pumps
(ii) The boat's main rib frames were smashed down to the ________.
Ans: keel
(iii) Their only hope was to reach ________ in the vast ocean.
Ans: pinpricks
(iv) Assertion (A): Wavewalker could not reach Australia in its damaged state.
Reason (R): The starboard hull was held only by cupboard partitions after the wave damage.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
The assertion is true because the boat's structural integrity was compromised, making the long journey to Australia impossible. The reason explains this by detailing the severe damage where main rib frames were smashed and the hull relied on minimal support, directly leading to the inability to continue far.
Q.10 Describe the challenges faced by the family after the massive wave hit Wavewalker on January 2. Support your answer with examples from the text. (5 marks)
Ans: After the massive wave struck Wavewalker on January 2, the family encountered severe structural damage, flooding, injuries, and navigational difficulties in their fight for survival. The deck was smashed, causing water to flood the cabins with broken timbers, clothes, and debris sloshing about, forcing Larry and Herb to pump frantically while the narrator secured canvas over gaping holes to deflect water. Injuries compounded the crisis: the narrator suffered cracked ribs, a mouth full of blood and broken teeth, and Sue had a swollen head with black eyes and a deep arm cut, yet she bravely made a card to uplift her parents. The electric pump short-circuited, hand pumps blocked with debris, and spares were lost overboard, but they connected another pump to manage water levels. Navigation became perilous without the auxiliary engine, relying on a storm jib to head towards Ile Amsterdam, amid deteriorating weather with high winds and seas. Despite exhaustion and despair, the family's unity, seen in Jonathan's words about not fearing death together, motivated them to endure, ultimately reaching the island after recalculating positions under dire conditions.
Q.11 "Optimism and courage help to tide over difficulties." Elaborate this statement with reference to the roles played by different characters in the story. (5 marks)
Ans: In the story, optimism and courage are pivotal in overcoming life-threatening challenges during the voyage, as demonstrated by the family's and crew's responses to the disaster. The narrator, as captain, embodied leadership and resilience by quickly assessing damage, repairing holes with canvas, connecting an alternative pump, and navigating towards Ile Amsterdam despite inaccurate calculations and lost equipment, his determination fueled by his children's faith. Mary showed steadfast courage by staying at the wheel during critical hours and supporting the family emotionally, holding hands with her husband when the end seemed near, yet persisting through the storm. The children, Jonathan and Sue, displayed remarkable optimism: Jonathan's assurance that his father was the best captain and Sue's handmade card expressing love and hope lifted spirits amid injuries and fear. Crewmen Larry and Herb exemplified unwavering optimism by pumping water like madmen without complaint, remaining cheerful under dire stress. Collectively, their positive attitudes and brave actions turned a potential tragedy into survival, proving that united optimism and courage can conquer even the most hazardous situations at sea.
(a) Khushwant Singh
(b) Gordon Cook and Alan East
(c) Shirley Toulson
(d) Nani Palkhivala
Ans: (b) Gordon Cook and Alan East
Gordon Cook and Alan East narrate a real-life adventure of survival at sea faced by a family during a round-the-world voyage.
Q.2 What was the name of the boat used in the voyage? (1 mark)
(a) Wavebreaker
(b) Wavewalker
(c) Seamaster
(d) Oceanrider
Ans: (b) Wavewalker
Wavewalker was a 23 metre, 30 ton wooden-hulled boat professionally built and tested in rough weather for the journey.
Q.3 The huge wave that hit the boat on January 2 was described as: (1 mark)
(a) A small ripple
(b) A cloud
(c) A vertical wave with a frightful breaking crest
(d) A gentle swell
Ans: (c) A vertical wave with a frightful breaking crest
The wave appeared perfectly vertical, almost twice the height of others, leading to the disaster that damaged the boat severely.
Q.4 Fill in the blank: The family set sail from ________, England, in July 1976. (1 mark)
Ans: Plymouth
Q.5 Fill in the blank: The two crewmen hired in Cape Town were Larry Vigil and ________. (1 mark)
Ans: Herb Seigler
Q.6 Mention any two steps taken by the captain to protect the ship when rough weather began on January 2. (2 marks)
Ans: To slow the boat down amid gigantic waves, the captain dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern. Additionally, the crew double-lashed everything, went through life-raft drill, attached lifelines, and donned oilskins and life jackets in preparation for the impending disaster.
Q.7 Why did the narrator feel peaceful while losing consciousness after the wave hit? Give two reasons. (2 marks)
Ans: As the narrator was thrown overboard and sinking below the waves after the tremendous explosion, he accepted his approaching death, leading to a sense of peace. This acceptance came from the realization that struggle was futile in that moment, and the overwhelming force of nature induced a calm resignation amid the chaos.
Q.8 Explain the significance of the title "We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together" in the context of the children's response during the crisis. (2 marks)
Ans: The title reflects the children's bravery and family unity when Jonathan told his father they were not afraid of dying if they could all be together. This statement, echoed by Sue, motivated the narrator to fight harder for survival, highlighting how collective strength and love overcame fear in the face of death.
Q.9 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (4 marks)
By morning on January 3, the pumps had the water level sufficiently under control for us to take two hours' rest in rotation. But we still had a tremendous leak somewhere below the waterline and, on checking, I found that nearly all the boat's main rib frames were smashed down to the keel. In fact, there was nothing holding up a whole section of the starboard hull except a few cupboard partitions. We had survived for 15 hours since the wave hit, but Wavewalker wouldn't hold together long enough for us to reach Australia. I checked our charts and calculated that there were two small islands a few hundred kilometres to the east. One of them, Ile Amsterdam, was a French scientific base. Our only hope was to reach these pinpricks in the vast ocean.
(i) The crew managed to control the water level using:
(a) Sails
(b) Pumps
(c) Canvas
(d) Anchors
Ans: (b) Pumps
(ii) The boat's main rib frames were smashed down to the ________.
Ans: keel
(iii) Their only hope was to reach ________ in the vast ocean.
Ans: pinpricks
(iv) Assertion (A): Wavewalker could not reach Australia in its damaged state.
Reason (R): The starboard hull was held only by cupboard partitions after the wave damage.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
The assertion is true because the boat's structural integrity was compromised, making the long journey to Australia impossible. The reason explains this by detailing the severe damage where main rib frames were smashed and the hull relied on minimal support, directly leading to the inability to continue far.
Q.10 Describe the challenges faced by the family after the massive wave hit Wavewalker on January 2. Support your answer with examples from the text. (5 marks)
Ans: After the massive wave struck Wavewalker on January 2, the family encountered severe structural damage, flooding, injuries, and navigational difficulties in their fight for survival. The deck was smashed, causing water to flood the cabins with broken timbers, clothes, and debris sloshing about, forcing Larry and Herb to pump frantically while the narrator secured canvas over gaping holes to deflect water. Injuries compounded the crisis: the narrator suffered cracked ribs, a mouth full of blood and broken teeth, and Sue had a swollen head with black eyes and a deep arm cut, yet she bravely made a card to uplift her parents. The electric pump short-circuited, hand pumps blocked with debris, and spares were lost overboard, but they connected another pump to manage water levels. Navigation became perilous without the auxiliary engine, relying on a storm jib to head towards Ile Amsterdam, amid deteriorating weather with high winds and seas. Despite exhaustion and despair, the family's unity, seen in Jonathan's words about not fearing death together, motivated them to endure, ultimately reaching the island after recalculating positions under dire conditions.
Q.11 "Optimism and courage help to tide over difficulties." Elaborate this statement with reference to the roles played by different characters in the story. (5 marks)
Ans: In the story, optimism and courage are pivotal in overcoming life-threatening challenges during the voyage, as demonstrated by the family's and crew's responses to the disaster. The narrator, as captain, embodied leadership and resilience by quickly assessing damage, repairing holes with canvas, connecting an alternative pump, and navigating towards Ile Amsterdam despite inaccurate calculations and lost equipment, his determination fueled by his children's faith. Mary showed steadfast courage by staying at the wheel during critical hours and supporting the family emotionally, holding hands with her husband when the end seemed near, yet persisting through the storm. The children, Jonathan and Sue, displayed remarkable optimism: Jonathan's assurance that his father was the best captain and Sue's handmade card expressing love and hope lifted spirits amid injuries and fear. Crewmen Larry and Herb exemplified unwavering optimism by pumping water like madmen without complaint, remaining cheerful under dire stress. Collectively, their positive attitudes and brave actions turned a potential tragedy into survival, proving that united optimism and courage can conquer even the most hazardous situations at sea.
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FAQs on Unit Test Solutions: We're Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together
| 1. What is the main theme of "We're Not Afraid to Die...if We Can All Be Together"? |  |
Ans. The main theme of the narrative revolves around the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It highlights the importance of family, unity, and courage, as the characters confront life-threatening challenges while demonstrating an unwavering bond with one another.
| 2. How does the author depict the experience of the journey at sea? | |
Ans. The author vividly describes the journey at sea as both exhilarating and perilous. The narrative conveys the beauty of the ocean, alongside the dangers posed by storms and rough waters, illustrating the struggle for survival while emphasising the characters' determination to stay united despite the threats they face.
| 3. What role does the character of the narrator play in the story? | |
Ans. The narrator serves as the central figure who recounts the events of the journey. Through his perspective, readers gain insight into the emotions and thoughts of the crew as they confront their fears. The narrator's reflections on family and the significance of togetherness drive the emotional core of the narrative.
| 4. How does the story emphasise the importance of teamwork? | |
Ans. Teamwork is emphasised throughout the story as the crew members rely on each other to navigate the difficulties they encounter. Their collaborative efforts in facing the storm and maintaining the ship highlight the necessity of unity and shared responsibility in overcoming challenges, ultimately reinforcing the theme of togetherness.
| 5. What lessons can be drawn from the experiences of the characters in the story? | |
Ans. The experiences of the characters impart several valuable lessons, including the significance of resilience in the face of adversity, the power of familial bonds, and the necessity of teamwork. The narrative encourages readers to cherish relationships and remain steadfast even in the most dire situations, showcasing how collective strength can lead to survival.
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