NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2: Chapter 2 of NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill, We’re Not Afraid to Die…
If We Can All Be Together by Gordon Cook and Alan East, is an inspiring true story of a family's resilience at sea. The narrator, along with his wife and children, embarks on a world voyage in their boat, Wavewalker.
They face a massive storm, damaging the boat and risking their lives. Despite severe injuries and exhaustion, the family's teamwork and courage help them survive.
The chapter highlights themes of bravery, determination, and the human spirit’s strength in the face of adversity.
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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 Overview
Chapter 2 of NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill, We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together, emphasizes resilience, courage, and teamwork.
The story follows a family’s dangerous sea voyage, battling a fierce storm that nearly sinks their boat. Despite injuries and exhaustion, their determination and collective effort help them survive.
The chapter teaches important life lessons about perseverance, facing challenges with bravery, and the power of unity.
It inspires students to remain strong in difficult situations and highlights the importance of optimism and problem-solving in overcoming adversity, making it a valuable part of the curriculum.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 PDF
Below, we have provided the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2, We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together, in a PDF format for easy access.
These solutions offer detailed answers, important explanations, and key insights to help students understand the chapter thoroughly. Download the PDF to enhance your learning and strengthen your comprehension of the story’s themes and messages.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 PDF
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together”
Below is the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 -
Page No. 18
Understanding the Text
1. 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:
(i) To protect the ship from the rough weather, the captain decided to slow it down. He lowered the storm jib and tied a heavy mooring rope in a loop over the front of the ship. They secured everything tightly and practiced using the life raft.
(ii) Herb and Larry worked to pump out the water. The captain stretched a canvas and secured waterproof hatch covers over the big holes. When the electric pump stopped working and the hand pumps got blocked, he found another electric pump and started it by connecting it to an earth pipe.
2. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4th and 5th January.
Answer:
On January 4th, after pumping out water nonstop for 36 hours, the sailors finally felt some relief.
They had their first meal in two days. However, their rest didn’t last long. On January 5th, they found themselves in serious danger again. The fear of dying was overwhelming, and they went through extreme mental stress.
3. 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 first part describes a smooth journey from Plymouth, England, to 3,500 km east of Cape Town, Africa.
The narrator feels confident and at ease. However, as the weather worsens, huge waves appear. To survive, they take precautions and struggle against the storm.
The tone becomes serious but shows their determination and courage. By the morning of January 6th, the Wavewalker escapes the storm. That evening, they spot Ile Amsterdam Island, bringing relief, joy, and confidence back to the narrator.
Talking About The Text
Discuss the following questions with your partner.
1. What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?
Answer:
Children and adults reacted differently to the danger. At first, the adults felt stressed, but they quickly gathered strength and prepared to face the situation.
As the rough weather hit, they took all necessary precautions to protect the ship. Everyone wore waterproof clothes, lifelines, and life jackets.
Herb and Larry stayed positive and worked hard for three days to pump out the water.
The narrator, who was steering the ship, was later replaced by Mary when the deck was damaged. She also managed to serve food after two days of struggle.
The narrator, as the captain, showed determination, courage, and responsibility. He led the repair work by providing tools and giving instructions to save the ship.
He also helped steer the ship toward the island. Meanwhile, the children remained patient and brave. Despite her injuries, Sue did not complain to her father. Jon showed great courage, saying he was not afraid to die as long as they were all together.
2. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?
Answer:
The story shows that optimism helps people endure even the toughest challenges. The actions of the four adults prove this.
Herb Seigler and Larry Vigil, the two crew members, worked tirelessly when the deck was smashed by huge waves, allowing water to flood the ship.
From the evening of January 2nd, they pumped out water continuously for 36 hours. By January 4th, they had removed almost all of it. Despite the danger, they stayed positive and determined.
The narrator remained calm, hopeful, and courageous. Instead of worrying about lost equipment, he used whatever was available to fix the problems.
His practical knowledge and confidence helped them escape the storm and reach Ile Amsterdam Island. Mary also showed great strength, staying at the wheel without losing hope or courage.
3. What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face-to-face with death?
Answer:
Difficult experiences bring us close to death and teach us important life lessons.
Life is not always easy, and we must face risks and challenges with courage and patience. True character is tested in tough times, just like gold is purified in fire. Hardships help us discover our strengths.
Cowards give up easily and let fear take over, which leads to failure. Fear makes people inactive and helpless in tough situations.
But those who have courage, confidence, quick thinking, and problem-solving skills face challenges bravely and overcome them. Their kindness and support encourage others to stay strong and handle difficulties with resilience.
4. Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved?
Answer:
Humans are naturally adventurous. The greater the risk, the more exciting the challenge.
The desire to explore new lands and uncover hidden beauty and wealth drives brave people to take risks, even putting their lives in danger. For some, a single moment of glory is worth more than a long, uneventful life of laziness.
Adventures can be risky and sometimes deadly, but true adventurers are not discouraged by failure. Instead, they learn from others' mistakes and try again with even more determination.
Success in an adventure depends on adapting to challenges and solving problems. A successful expedition brings wealth, fame, and honor. History is filled with famous explorers like Vasco da Gama, Columbus, Captain Scott, and Captain Cook.
Thinking about Language
1. 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:
The Hindi language has the following words for ‘storm’: toofan, aandhi, chakravat, and jhanjavat.
2. Here are the terms for different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship, steamer, schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.
Answer:
Similar terms in Hindi for vessels which are used to travel on water are nava, nauka, jahaj, and pot
3. ‘Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language this word is derived from? Check the dictionary.
Answer:
The word Catamaran comes from Tamil and means tied wood. It is a type of boat or yacht with two hulls placed side by side. The dictionary defines it as a fast sailing boat with two hulls.
Benefits of Using NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2
Clear Understanding – Provides detailed explanations of key concepts, themes, and events in the chapter.
Accurate Answers – Solutions are well-structured and align with the NCERT syllabus, ensuring correctness.
Improves Writing Skills – Helps students frame answers effectively, improving their writing style.
Boosts Confidence – Well-prepared answers enable students to tackle exam questions confidently.
Saves Time – Offers ready-made solutions, reducing the time needed for self-research.
Enhances Comprehension – Helps students grasp deeper meanings, character traits, and life lessons.
Exam-Oriented Preparation – Provides insights into important questions likely to appear in exams.
Strengthens Vocabulary – Exposure to well-written answers improves language and expression.
