We are not Afraid to die if we can all be together Important Short and Long Question Class 11 Chapter-2 Book-1

1. What is the story "We’re Not Afraid to Die – if We Can All Be Together" about?

Answer:

The story is about extreme courage, determination, and survival skills shown by Gordon Cook, his family, and his crewmen as they battle rough seas and a deadly storm while on a round-the-world voyage.

2. When and why did the narrator and his family set sail?

Answer:

They set sail in July 1976 from Plymouth, England.

Their goal was to duplicate the world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook.

They had spent 16 years sharpening their seafaring skills for this journey.

3. Describe their boat, the Wavewalker.

Answer:

Wavewalker was a professionally built boat.

• It had been tested in the roughest weather for months.

• It was strong enough to handle extreme sea conditions.

4. What was the first part of the journey like?

Answer:

The first leg of their three-year, 1,05,000 km journey went smoothly.

They sailed down the West Coast of Africa to Cape Town.

They were joined by two crew members: Larry Vigil (American) and Herb Seigler (Swiss).

They were heading towards the Southern Indian Ocean, one of the roughest seas in the world.

5. What difficulties did they encounter on January 2nd?

Answer:

• They faced huge, endless waves up to 15 meters high.

• The wind was howling, and the sea was extremely rough.

• To slow down the boat, they dropped the storm jib and tied heavy ropes across the stern.

• They wore oilskins and life jackets in preparation for the storm.

6. How did the disaster strike?

Answer:

At 6:00 PM, the wind suddenly dropped, and the sky became dark.

A huge wave struck the boat with a thunderous explosion.

The Wavewalker was about to capsize.

The narrator’s head crashed into the wheel, he had broken ribs and teeth, and he was losing consciousness.

7. How did the narrator’s family and crew respond to the disaster?

Answer:

Larry and Herb pumped out water like madmen to keep the boat afloat.

The narrator’s wife Mary cried out that they were sinking.

The narrator crawled to check on his children, who were safe except for Sue, who had a deep head injury.

They spent the entire night pumping out water and repairing the boat.

8. What did the narrator do to find safety?

Answer:

He checked the navigation charts and found that there were two small islands a few hundred kilometers east.

Ile Amsterdam, a French scientific base, was their only hope.

They hoisted the storm jib and headed for the island since their engine was damaged.

9. How did the narrator’s son, Jonathan, show courage?

Answer:

Despite the crisis, Jonathan said, “We aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together.”

His words deeply moved the narrator and gave him strength to keep fighting for survival.

10. What was the final challenge before reaching Ile Amsterdam?

Answer:

The weather remained rough, with 40-knot winds and rising seas.

The narrator kept rechecking calculations and hoped to see the island by January 6th.

11. How did they finally reach safety?

Answer:

• On January 6th, they finally spotted Ile Amsterdam.

• They anchored offshore for the night.

• The next morning, all 28 inhabitants of the island came to cheer them.

12. How did Jonathan react after reaching the island?

Answer:

• He was excited and hugged his father.

• He called his father “the best daddy in the whole world.”

13. What are the main themes of the story?

Answer:

1. Courage and Survival – The family and crew display immense bravery in fighting against nature.

2. Family Bond – The family's love and support keep them strong in tough times.

3. Determination and Skill – Their seafaring skills and presence of mind help them survive.

4. Nature’s Power – The story highlights the unpredictability and fury of the sea.

14. What qualities did the narrator show in this crisis?

Answer:

1. Leadership – He guided his family and crew through the storm.

2. Resilience – Despite injuries, he continued working.

3. Presence of Mind – He quickly calculated and found the nearest island.

15. Why is the title "We’re Not Afraid to Die—if We Can All Be Together" significant?

Answer:

The title comes from Jonathan’s brave words.

• It highlights the family’s unity and courage in the face of death.

• It shows that togetherness gives them strength to survive.