NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 3 - Deep Water

Answer:

(i) treacherous: dangerous, like the risky Yakima River.

(ii) subdued my pride: controlled or calmed down his ego.

(iii) misadventure: an unlucky incident or small accident.

(iv) bob to the surface like a cork: float up and down quickly in water, like a cork.

(v) flailed at the surface: waved arms and legs wildly on the water's surface.

(vi) curtain of life fell: felt like life was ending, like a curtain closing.

(vii) fishing for landlocked salmon: catching salmon in waters surrounded by land.

(viii) back and forth across the pool: swimming from one side of the pool to the other repeatedly.

Answer:

William Douglas was sitting by the YMCA pool, waiting for others to join him. A strong 18-year-old boy picked him up and threw him into the deep end of the pool, which was a scary incident for him.

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When Douglas was thrown into the deep end, he felt scared but stayed calm enough to think. He was afraid of drowning but planned to push off the bottom of the pool, float to the surface, lie flat, and paddle to the edge. This plan helped him stay focused and survive.

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The near-drowning made Douglas stronger. It erased his fear and panic, leaving him calm and fearless. He realized there was nothing to be afraid of after facing such a scary moment.

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Douglas felt limited by his fear of water, which stopped him from enjoying activities like swimming or boating. He decided to hire an instructor to learn swimming and get over his fear.

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The instructor used a belt with a rope through a pulley to support Douglas while he practiced swimming. He taught Douglas to breathe by exhaling underwater and inhaling above water, repeating this many times. He also helped Douglas practice leg movements for weeks until he could control them. Step by step, the instructor turned Douglas into a confident swimmer.

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To confirm he was no longer afraid, Douglas swam alone at Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire. He dived off a dock and swam two miles across the lake, using different strokes. When fear crept in once, he pushed through it and never felt scared again.

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Douglas describes his panic vividly when he was thrown into the YMCA pool. He sank to the bottom, feeling terrified but trying to stay calm. He planned to jump up when he hit the bottom, but it didn't work. He felt paralyzed, unable to scream or move, with his heart pounding and lungs burning. He thought he was dying as he choked on water. These details, like his frozen screams and throbbing head, make the fear feel real to the reader.

Answer:

Douglas was tired of his fear stopping him from enjoying water activities, so he hired an instructor. The instructor used a rope and pulley to help him practice safely, taught him to breathe properly underwater, and worked on his leg movements. After months of practice, Douglas swam alone across lakes, like Lake Wentworth, to test himself. Even when fear returned briefly, he faced it and finally overcame it completely.

Answer:

As an adult, Douglas shares his childhood fear to show how it shaped him. It started when he was three or four, knocked down by waves at a beach, and got worse when a bully threw him into a deep pool. Overcoming this fear taught him that "all we have to fear is fear itself." He learned that facing fear with determination makes you stronger and that the will to live can conquer any terror.

Answer:

The saying "all we have to fear is fear itself" is true. I was scared of cricket after a ball hit my head when I was young, knocking me out. I stopped playing for years. Last year, my friends encouraged me to try again. I wore a helmet and practiced a lot, even though I was nervous. Slowly, I got better and lost my fear. Now I love playing cricket again, proving that facing your fear can set you free.

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Many people have shown courage to overcome fear. Nelson Mandela faced years in prison but never gave up his fight for freedom. His bravery helped end oppression in South Africa. Similarly, Rani Lakshmibai fought the British bravely, and freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh faced death for India's independence. In "We're Not Afraid to Die," a family survived a stormy sea voyage because they stayed calm and courageous. These stories show that courage and optimism can help you overcome even the toughest challenges.

Answer:

If someone else told Douglas's story, it would use "he" instead of "I," making it less personal. For example: "William Douglas was thrown into the deep end of the YMCA pool by a bully. He felt terrified but tried to stay calm, planning to jump up from the bottom." Douglas's first-person account is more effective because it lets readers feel his fear and thoughts directly, making the story more real and emotional.

Answer:

At last I felt released, free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to brush aside fear. Learning to ride a bicycle was a big challenge for me. I was scared of falling and getting hurt, but I really wanted to learn. My dad offered to teach me, and we went to a quiet park to practice.

At first, I was wobbly and scared. My dad held the bike, but I kept thinking I'd crash. Every time I tried to pedal, my heart raced with fear. I fell a few times, scraping my knees, which made me want to give up. But my dad said, "Keep trying, you'll get it!" His words gave me hope.

After a few days, I started balancing better. My dad let go of the bike, and I rode a short distance before panicking and stopping. I was still scared, but I felt a little proud. My friends cheered me on, which made me want to keep going.

One day, I hit a small rock and fell hard. I was so shaken that I didn't want to try again. My dad sat me down and told me that falling is part of learning. He said everyone feels scared at first, but courage means trying again. That talk pushed me to get back on the bike.

With more practice, I finally rode smoothly without fear. Now, I love cycling around the park, feeling free and happy. That experience taught me that facing fear with hard work and support can lead to amazing results. I'm glad I didn't give up.

Answer:

12, Green Avenue
Mumbai-400 001
September 10, 2025

Dear Priya,

You won't believe what I've learned—swimming! I was always scared of water, but I decided to face my fear. I joined a swimming class, and my coach was amazing. At first, I was nervous, but he taught me step by step. Now I can swim across the pool confidently! It feels so good to conquer something I was afraid of. I can't wait to tell you more when we meet!

Love,
Anjali

Answer:

Yes, India has many water sports. Here are some popular places:

• Goa: Great for jet skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Famous for white-water rafting.
• Zanskar River, Ladakh: Known for river rafting.
• Havelock Island: Good for scuba diving and snorkeling.
• Lakshadweep: Offers kayaking, canoeing, and scuba diving.
• Tarkarli, Maharashtra: Popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Alappuzha, Kerala: Known for boat racing and houseboat trips.
• Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu: Great for jet skiing and boating.
• Haryana: Has water parks like Wet and Wild for fun water activities.

Answer:

Douglas's mother recommended the YMCA pool because it was safe, only two to three feet deep at the shallow end and gradually deeper at nine feet. The Yakima River, on the other hand, was dangerous with many drowning cases.

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Douglas swam across Warm Lake and back alone. He shouted with joy when he succeeded, and the echo from Gilbert Peak confirmed he had fully overcome his fear.

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The YMCA incident left Douglas terrified of water. He avoided swimming, fishing, or boating, which limited his activities and social life for years.

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First, at three or four years old, a wave knocked him down at a California beach, scaring him. Second, at ten or eleven, a bully threw him into the deep end of the YMCA pool, where he nearly drowned.

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The instructor used a rope and pulley to support Douglas while swimming, taught him to breathe underwater, and practiced leg movements. Step by step, he built Douglas's skills and confidence to swim.

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Douglas was scared but stayed calm when thrown into the pool. He planned to jump off the bottom to reach the surface and paddle to the edge. But he panicked, felt suffocated, and couldn't move, thinking he might die.

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Douglas trained with an instructor for months, then swam alone across lakes like Lake Wentworth. When fear returned briefly, he faced it and kept swimming, proving he was no longer afraid.

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When Douglas sank, he felt like the pool was endless. His lungs hurt, and he tried to jump up but couldn't reach the surface, sinking back down in fear.

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Douglas planned to push off the pool's bottom, float to the surface, lie flat, and paddle to the edge to save himself.

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As Douglas sank, he felt intense, uncontrollable terror. He was paralyzed, unable to move or scream. His heart beating and head pounding were the only signs he was still alive.

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When Douglas was ten or eleven, a bully threw him into the deep end of the YMCA pool. He sank, panicked, and tried to jump to the surface but failed. He nearly drowned and passed out. This, along with an earlier incident at age three or four when a wave knocked him down at a beach, made him very afraid of water.

Answer:

The YMCA incident made Douglas terrified of water, stopping him from enjoying swimming or boating. It affected his daily life for years. To overcome it, he hired an instructor who taught him swimming step by step with a rope and pulley, breathing exercises, and leg practice. After months of training, Douglas swam across lakes alone, proving he was no longer afraid.

Answer:

Douglas hired an instructor who used a rope and pulley to help him practice swimming safely. He learned to breathe underwater and practiced leg movements for months. After training, he swam alone across Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake, facing small moments of fear but pushing through to become confident in water.

Answer:

"Deep Water" teaches us that determination and courage can help us overcome big challenges. Douglas was scared of water after nearly drowning, but he didn't give up. He worked hard with an instructor, practicing every day to learn swimming. His positive attitude and bravery helped him face his fear, and he even swam across lakes alone. This shows that believing in yourself and staying strong can lead to success, no matter how tough things seem. In life, a positive mindset and the courage to keep trying, even after setbacks, can help you achieve your goals. Whether it's learning a new skill or facing a fear, determination and a bold attitude make anything possible.

Answer:

When Douglas was ten or eleven, a bully threw him into the deep end of the YMCA pool. He sank to the bottom and couldn't reach the surface despite trying three times. He felt suffocated, paralyzed with fear, and thought he was going to die. He passed out before someone rescued him. This terrifying experience, along with being knocked down by a wave as a young child, made him deeply afraid of water for years.

Answer:

Roosevelt's quote, "All we have to fear is fear itself," helped Douglas realize that his fear of water was the real problem. After nearly drowning, he was determined to overcome it. He hired an instructor who taught him swimming step by step. Douglas practiced hard, faced his fear, and swam across lakes alone. Even when fear returned briefly, he pushed through, proving to himself that fear was the only thing holding him back. This made him a confident swimmer.

Answer:

Douglas's fear began at three or four years old when a wave knocked him down at a California beach, scaring him as he struggled to breathe. It got worse at ten or eleven when a bully threw him into the deep end of the YMCA pool. He nearly drowned, feeling paralyzed and terrified, which made his fear of water much stronger.

Answer:

The instructor used a rope and pulley to support Douglas while he practiced swimming. He taught him to exhale underwater and inhale above it, repeating this many times. He also worked on Douglas's leg movements until he could control them. Over months, these steps built Douglas's skills and confidence, turning him into a good swimmer.

Answer:

Douglas's fear of water started with a beach incident as a child and worsened when he nearly drowned in the YMCA pool. To overcome it, he trained with an instructor for months, learning to swim with a rope, breathing techniques, and leg practice. He then swam alone across lakes like Lake Wentworth and Warm Lake, facing small fears and proving he was no longer afraid.

Answer:

Douglas describes intense panic when thrown into the pool. He sank, unable to move or scream, feeling paralyzed with fear. His lungs burned, his head throbbed, and he thought he was dying as he choked on water. These details, like his frozen screams and pounding heart, make the reader feel his terror clearly.

Answer:

The title "Deep Water" fits because the story is about Douglas's fear of water, especially after nearly drowning in the deep end of a pool. His fear began with a wave at a beach and grew worse in the YMCA pool. The "deep water" symbolizes both the physical danger and his deep fear, which he overcomes through hard work and courage.

Answer:

I agree with Roosevelt's quote, "All we have to fear is fear itself." Fear can stop us from trying new things or growing. Douglas's fear of water kept him from enjoying swimming until he faced it with courage. His story shows that fear itself is the biggest obstacle. When we push past it, we can achieve great things, just like Douglas became a confident swimmer.

Answer:

Douglas's story shows how desire, determination, and diligence lead to success. He wanted to enjoy water activities, so he was determined to overcome his fear. He worked hard with an instructor, practicing swimming for months, even when it was tough. His diligence in learning step by step and testing himself in lakes helped him conquer his fear and become a strong swimmer.