CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Deep Water Set 03

Question. The experience had a deep meaning for me, as only those who have known stark terror and conquered it can appreciate. In death there is peace. There is terror only in the fear of death, as Roosevelt knew when he said, “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Because I had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that the fear of it can produce, the will to live somehow grew in intensity.  

Question. What was the impact of ‘the experience’ on the narrator’s life?
Answer: ‘The experience’ enhanced the narrator’s survival instinct.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
The given words can be referred to as ___________ . (a paper presentation/words of wisdom)
Answer: words of wisdom

Question. Complete the sentence appropriately.
Roosevelt’s opinion on fear is that ___________ .
Answer: one should not let fear enter one’s mind.

Question. How had the narrator experienced ‘the sensation of dying and the terror that fear it can produce?
Answer: The narrator had experienced ‘the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it can produce’ while he was 10 or 11 years old at the YMCA. He had almost drowned in the deep end of the pool which had increased his fear of water.

Question. Choose the correct option which refers to ‘only those’ as intended by the narrator.
(a) Those who have the experience of drowning
(b) Those who have learnt swimming in YMCA pool
(c) Those who have experienced bullying
(d) Those who have experienced and conquered fear
Answer: (d) Those who have experienced and conquered fear

Question. Choose the option that best explains the expression ‘deep meaning’ in the extract.
(a) The experience left a deep scar in the narrator’s life.
(b) The narrator drowned at the deep end of the pool.
(c) The narrator learnt a life lesson through that experience.
(d) The experience was still painful in the memory of the narrator.
Answer: (c) The narrator learnt a life lesson through that experience.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. ‘It happened when I was ten or eleven years old.’ Well-known author Ursula K. Le Guin once said, “First sentences are doors to worlds.” In 20-30 words, describe how the first sentence of ‘Deep Water’ given above sets the tone of the text. 
Answer: It is true to say that the first sentences are doors to worlds. The first sentence of the lesson ‘Deep Water’ creates a sense of fear and mystery about an event that had caused a significant change in the narrators life that the readers would soon get a glimpse into.

Question. What factors made Douglas decide in favour of the YMCA pool?
Answer: Douglas’ mother recommended that he should learn swimming at the YMCA swimming pool because it was safe, being only two or three feet deep at the shallow end with a gradual drop to nine feet at the other end. In contrast, the Yakima river was quite deep and several cases of drowning in it had been reported.

Question. How did Douglas’ introduction to the YMCA pool revive his childhood fear of water?
Answer: Douglas’ introduction to the YMCA pool revived his childhood fear of water as when he had not yet learnt swimming, he was thrown into the pool’s deep end by a bully wherein he sank to the bottom despite his best efforts.

Question. “I was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits.” says Douglas. Which qualities of the speaker are highlighted in the above statement?
Answer: The speaker Douglas, despite being thrown into a terrifying situation at the YMCA pool, remained composed, stating, “I was frightened but not yet frightened out of my wits.” Although submerged and swallowing water, the incident demonstrated Douglas’ resilience and determination, despite his past trauma with water, showcasing his unwavering resolve to confront his fears.

Question. “Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart.” What does the above statement speak of the father? Or “Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the waves”. Why did the narrator and his father have such contrasting emotions here? In 20-30 words, explain with reference to the story ‘Deep water’.
Answer: The statement “Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart” from ‘Deep Water’ suggests the difference between the experiences of the father and the child and how they both react to an event. The father thought his son was having fun. Further, the father was an adult who knew that the waves, which developed a deep fear in the narrator’s heart, wouldn’t harm him.

Question. How did Douglas’ experience at the beach in California affect him?
Answer: Douglas developed an aversion to water in his early childhood due to his experience at a beach in California. When he was three or four years old, his father took him to the beach. The waves knocked him down and swept over him. This experience developed a fear of water in his mind.

Question. What did Douglas experience when he went down to the bottom of the pool for the first time? 
Answer: As Douglas went down to the bottom of the pool for the first time, he felt that the way down the pool was very long and that his lungs were ready to burst. He summoned all his strength and jumped up but could not reach the surface and began to sink again.

Question. When Douglas realised that he was sinking, how did he plan to save himself?
Answer: When Douglas realised that he was sinking, he thought that when his feet would hit the bottom, he would make a big jump, come to the surface and lie flat on it. Then he would easily paddle to the edge of the pool.

Question. What sort of terror seized Douglas as he went down in the water with a yellow glow? How could he feel that he was still alive?
Answer: When Douglas went down in the water with a yellow glow for the second time, a stark terror seized him. It was beyond control or understanding. Douglas was paralysed with fear and could not move his limbs. Only his throbbing heart and the pounding in his head made him feel that he was still alive.

Question. How did Douglas get rescued when he was thrown in the pool?
Answer: The narrator does not mention how Douglas was rescued. However, we, as readers are shown that when Douglas regained consciousness, he was vomiting while lying on his stomach beside the pool. Apparently, he had been rescued by someone.

Question. Mention any two long term consequences of the drowning incident on Douglas.
Answer: Two long term consequences of the drowning incident on Douglas were
(i) Douglas always felt terrified when near water. Fear gripped him when he came near any water body.
(ii) He was deprived of enjoying any water related activities like fishing, swimming, canoeing, boating, etc.

Question. What qualities turned Douglas into a good swimmer?
Answer: William Douglas’ determination, sincerity, courage and will to get rid of his fear of water were the qualities that turned him into a good swimmer. Douglas regretted being deprived of enjoying water-based activities and sports. His ardent wish to enjoy such activities and regain his lost confidence while staying in water were the reasons for his determination to get over his fear of water. As he hired an instructor, he showed sincerity and courage in his practice to become a swimmer.

Question. Seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learning’s of life. Comment on the statement with reference to the chapter ‘Deep Water’. 
Answer: It is true that seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learning’s of life. This is true for Douglas when he was learning how to swim with the help of the instructor. The instructor took very small steps in teaching Douglas how to swim. Gradually, these small steps turned Douglas into a successful swimmer.

Question. If you could give the chapter a new title, what would it be? Support your answer with reference to the chapter ‘Deep Water’. 
Answer: If I could give the chapter a new title, I would call it ‘Fear of Fear’. This is so because Douglas himself accepts that we need to fear the idea of fear itself. As the narrator of the story, he recounts his experience of how he got over his fear inspiring his readers to get over their fears themselves.

Question. Discus the significance of the references to the natural world in the chapter ‘Deep Water’. 
Answer: The natural world holds a special significance in the lesson as it indicates the growth of Douglas as a swimmer. In the beginning, we know that Douglas would not go to the Yakima river but in the end he swims across various lakes and water bodies. This contrast shows the development of Douglas as an individual.

Question. What handicap did Douglas suffer from? How did he overcome that? 
Answer: The handicap that afflicted Douglas was his fear of water which he had developed after a traumatic experience in a pool. This deprived him of the basic joys of life. He overcame this fear by gradually exposing himself to water with the help of an instructor who taught him how to swim. He eventually conquered his fear and swam in various places to challenge himself and overcome his fear completely.

Question. Based on your reading of ‘Deep Water’, describe how childhood memories impacted Douglas as an adult. Answer in 40-50 words. 
Answer: Douglas went through traumatic experiences of being bullied and almost drowning in his childhood. The trauma caused by these powerful memories deeply impacted his experiences as he grew up. He developed a fear of water and could not enjoy activities like fishing and boating. The fear caused by the childhood memories of terror thus continued to limit his experiences well into adulthood.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. How did Douglas develop a fear of water?
Answer: Douglas initially developed a fear of water when he was three or four years old. It happened when his father took him to the beach in California. He and his father stood together in the surf. The waves of the water knocked the author down and swept over him. He was frightened and his breath was gone.
Later, the fear of water strengthened its hold on Douglas’ mind and personality when the author was about ten or twelve years old. He went to YMCA pool to learn swimming. There, a terrible incident occurred with him which increased his fear of water. When he reached the swimming pool, no one else was there. He was scared of going in water alone and sat on the side of the pool to wait for others. Just then, a big boy threw him into the pool. He did not know how to swim and, thus, felt that he was going to drown.

Question. Douglas fully realised the truth of Roosevelt’s statement ‘All we have to fear is fear itself’. How did this realisation help him brush aside his fear and become an expert swimmer?
Answer: Roosevelt said, ‘All we have to fear is fear itself’. Douglas had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it can produce. As a result, he realised that a strong will, hard determination, courage and toil as well as honest labour win over all our terrors and fears. This realisation made him resolve to learn swimming by engaging an instructor. This instructor, gradually, built Douglas into a swimmer. Then, he went to Lake Wentworth, dived at Triggs Island and swam two miles across the lakes to Stamp Act Island. Finally he had conquered his fear of water.

Question. Douglas has a near-death experience in his childhood which has a negative as well as a positive outcome. Justify the statement with evidences from the text.
Answer: The near death experience in the YMCA swimming pool had both positive as well as negative outcomes for Douglas. The negative outcome was that for many days and months, a fear of water haunted Douglas. The slightest exertion upset him and he stayed away from the pool. Even after a few years, whenever Douglas wanted to swim or wade into waters of different rivers, his old fear would return and would grip his mind and body badly. His legs would not move as if they were paralysed and a chilling horror would surround him making him motionless. As a result, he was devoid of pleasures of swimming, rafting, fishing, canoeing and other water sports. He used every possible way to overcome his fear but it would haunt him again and again.
The positive outcome of this experience was that finally he decided to get a swimming instructor and learn to swim. He went to a pool and under his guidance he practiced five days a week, an hour each day. After seven months of intense practice, Douglas overcame his fear of water and practiced on his own by swimming across various lakes.

Question. ‘Deep Water’ and ‘Indigo’ bring out the importance of overcoming fear. Discuss the two texts with reference to the above statements. Or The prose selections, ‘Deep Water’ and ‘Indigo’, bring out the importance of overcoming fear, in order to be able to lead our lives successfully. Imagine yourself to be a motivational speaker who has to address high school students. Write this address in 120-150 words elaborating on occurrences from the two texts to inspire your audience and to convince them about the importance of overcoming fear. You may begin like this ... Good morning, students! We all know what it’s like to be afraid. Fear is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat or danger. But when ... 
Answer: Fear is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat or danger. But when we are determined to learn to face our fears, we win at life and become a champion.
It is no hidden fact that fear immobilises us and prevents us from progressing. We have read the story of William Douglas. Due to his fear of water he could not lead a normal life. He could not go fishing, canoeing, etc. with his friends. But he decided to get over his fear. Rather than giving into it, he learnt swimming and practiced it with full, persistence determination and sincerity till his fear dissipated.
Much like Douglas, we also have read about the peasants of Champaran who could not take a stand for their rights due to their fear of the Britishers. It was when they gathered around the courthouse in Motihari that they realised that the main hurdle in them getting justice was their fear. Once, they understood the need to overcome their fear, they came together and relentlessly worked towards getting justice. Thus, we need to face our fear, devise a plan and work through it.
It is important to remember that fear does not get dispelled in an instant. It takes months and even years of persistence to get over it. It takes time but once the fear fades away, one is free to live life to the fullest.

Question. Imagine that the bully who threw Douglas into the pool, reads this chapter and realises his mistake. As the bully, write a diary entry penning down your response to Douglas’ perseverance and your own feelings of guilt and regret.
Answer: Tuesday, 12th November, 20XX
Dear Diary
Today I remembered something that completely shook my world. I read the story ‘Deep water’ written by William Douglas.
I do not remember the man but I think he remembers me and for a reason that I am not proud of. To think of it, I remember I was a mischievous boy.
My sister tells me I was a bully but I never believed her until today. Now that I think of it, I remember, I threw a young timid looking boy in the deep end of the pool wherein he could have drowned.
I am ashamed of myself for the act and now feel guilt ridden, realising how a simple fun act like this could have destroyed Douglas. At the same time, I am in awe of the chap’s perseverance.
He did not lose hope and learned swimming, knowing fully well the intensity of his fear. Today, I only hope to meet him and apologise to him.
XYZ

Question. Douglas’ mother writes to the YMCA authorities holding them accountable for the mishap as well as demanding that the authorities employ a team of guards near the pool for supervision of the children. As the mother, write a letter to the authorities with reference to the case of your son. You may begin like this. 
Answer: Sir
Subject: Negligence on Premises
This is with reference to the incident of near fatal drowning of my son, William on your premises. We were great admirers of the way the YMCA Cooperation taught children swimming under expert guidance. We posed our confidence in you that your organisation will ensure that no accident happens with any child in your premises.
All those expectations, however, met with a massive failure, when my child was heedlessly thrown in the deep end of the pool without any instructor around. My child, William, could have died.
It is with deep regret that I have to mention that your carelessness had made me skeptical of sending my child to your organisation.
I, as a parent, hold your organisation accountable for the mishap since my child was your responsibility.
I hope that my complaint and experience is the last one in your organisation. To make sure this does not happen again, I would suggest that you employ a team of guards near the pool for supervision of the children.
Hoping the best for your organisation.
Thanking you
Mrs. Douglas

Question. The excerpt ‘Deep Water’ presents the growth of Douglas from a fearful boy to a courageous wise man. Elucidate mentioning the growth qualities of Douglas. Mention his growth as well as his constant qualities.
Answer: It is true to say that the ‘Deep Water’ presents the growth of Douglas from a fearful boy to a courageous wise man. The excerpt starts with Douglas remembering himself as a small boy who feared water. He was a conscious child who had faced two misadventures-one with his father and the other at the YMCA pool which lead to the development of Hydrophobia. His fear had impacted Douglas so much that he could not bear to be near water or enjoy any water activities. Hence, he hired an instructor and learned swimming.
In his learning curve, Douglas showed determination, courage, will and sincerity that he had developed to get over the fear. When he finally gets over his fear, we see Douglas as a wise man imparting wisdom regarding the psychology of fear.
One constant thing about Douglas that does not change is that he is a great strategist and planner. Even as a child, when he was thrown into the YMCA pool, he plans how to save himself. Later, he plans exactly how to test his fear and overcome it finally.

Question. Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. In 100-120 words, comment on the statement above with reference to the text ‘Deep Water’ State two ways in which the narrator strives to overcome his fear.
Answer: It is true that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. When we overcome our fears, we become confident and take on a journey towards self-awareness. In the story ‘Deep Water’, Douglas learns this lesson when he finally swims across the lake.
To become a swimmer, Douglas accepts his fear and decides to get professional assistance to gain the required skills. He not only acknowledges his fear but also does everything to overcome it. Even when he becomes a competent swimmer, the voice of fear inside him is still present. He confronts his fear repeatedly and in challenging ways. He chooses to look it in the face and triumph over it. So the fear did not become weaker but it is the narrator who became stronger.
Thus, with courage, Douglas faces his fears until it no longer has any effect on him. He successfully swims in a difficult place on his own until he observes the fear inside him vanish.