Preparing for Class 12 English can often feel overwhelming, with scattered notes, endless reference books, and uncertainty about what the CBSE really expects. To make your journey easier, we have created a one-stop solution for the chapter Deep Water by William Douglas.
In this post, you will find carefully solved CBSE Previous Year Questions (both short and long answers), as well as a model comprehension passage, all curated with the CBSE marking scheme in mind. Each answer is written in topper-level language, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and exam-readiness. This means you can revise confidently, knowing that every response has been designed to fetch full marks.
As a special feature, we have also included a bonus question at the end. Try writing its answer in the comment section, and you will receive personalized feedback—helping you sharpen your preparation even more. This post is truly curated especially for you and your success.
Model Comprehension Passage
“It seemed a long way down. Those nine feet were more like ninety, and before I touched bottom my lungs were ready to burst. But when my feet hit bottom, I summoned all my strength and made what I thought was a great spring upwards. I imagined I would bob to the surface like a cork. Instead, I came up slowly. I opened my eyes and saw nothing but water. I grew panicky.”
Questions:
Q1. (MCQ)
What did Douglas compare the depth of nine feet to?
a) Ninety
b) Sixty
c) Infinite
d) Thirty
Q2. (Fill in the blank)
Douglas imagined he would bob to the surface like a _______.
Q3. (True/False)
Douglas immediately reached the surface after his upward spring.
Q4. (One-word answer)
What was Douglas’s first body part to hit the bottom of the pool?
Q5. (One-line answer)
Why did Douglas grow panicky after opening his eyes?
Answers:
A1. a) Ninety
A2. cork
A3. False
A4. Feet
A5. Because he saw nothing but water and realised he had not reached the surface.
CBSE PYQs
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
Q.1 “Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart”. What does the above statement speak of the holder?
A.- The statement shows that the father considered the incident a harmless joke and therefore laughed. However, it also reveals his lack of understanding of the child’s serious fear. While the father remained carefree, the boy’s heart was gripped with terror, marking the beginning of a lifelong struggle against fear of water.
Q.2 Why did Douglas decide to go to the YMCA pool to learn swimming?
A.- Douglas chose the YMCA pool to learn swimming because it was considered safe compared to the treacherous Yakima River. The pool was shallow at one end and gradually deepened, making it suitable for beginners. Its controlled environment gave him confidence that he could overcome his fear and master swimming systematically.
Q.3 What handicap did Douglas suffer from? How did he overcome that?
A.- Douglas suffered from an intense hydrophobia, a deep-seated fear of water that crippled his confidence and haunted him for years. He overcame this handicap through determination, rigorous practice, and constant perseverance at the YMCA pool. With patience and courage, he finally mastered swimming and conquered the terror that once controlled him.
Q.4 What were Douglas’ initial thoughts when he was pushed into the pool?
A.- When Douglas was suddenly pushed into the pool, his initial thought was to make a big jump and spring to the surface. He planned that as soon as he came up, he would lie flat, paddle to the edge, and save himself. His thoughts reflected instinctive hope and determination.
Q.5 How did Douglas’ fear of water start?
A.- Douglas’ fear of water began in childhood when, at the age of three or four, he was knocked down by strong waves at a beach his father took him to. The overpowering force filled him with terror. This traumatic experience left a lasting impression, planting the seeds of a persistent fear of water.
Answer the following questions in 120-150 words-
Q.1 How did Douglas develop an aversion to water? How did he overcome his fear of water?
A.- Douglas developed an aversion to water due to a series of traumatic experiences in his early life. His first encounter with fear occurred at the age of three or four, when a strong wave at a beach in California swept over him and knocked him down. The overpowering force of water filled his lungs with fear, leaving him terrified. This childhood incident planted the seed of hydrophobia in his mind. The fear deepened when, years later at the YMCA pool, a mischievous boy pushed him into the deep end. Struggling helplessly, Douglas nearly drowned, and though he survived, the memory haunted him for years.
Determined not to let fear cripple his life, Douglas hired a swimming instructor. Through persistent practice, he gradually mastered swimming. Each step was accompanied by determination and courage. Ultimately, by confronting and defeating his terror, Douglas transformed fear into confidence, regaining both freedom and self-belief.
Q.2 How did the swimming instructor build a swimmer out of Douglas?
A.- The swimming instructor played a crucial role in transforming Douglas from a terrified boy into a confident swimmer. Understanding his fear, the instructor adopted a patient and systematic approach. He first made Douglas wear a belt attached to a rope, held by the trainer on the poolside. Day after day, Douglas was made to swim back and forth across the pool, while the instructor ensured his safety. This practice continued for months until the boy’s panic began to subside.
Gradually, the instructor introduced him to various techniques—breathing underwater, exhaling properly, and kicking his legs rhythmically. Each skill was taught step by step, with repeated drills, until Douglas gained command over it. Slowly, confidence replaced his terror. The training not only helped him acquire technical mastery but also instilled mental strength. Thus, through patience, discipline, and encouragement, the instructor built a swimmer out of Douglas, enabling him to conquer his fear permanently.
Here’s a question for you:
Q. How did the misadventure at the YMCA pool affect Douglas?
You can write your answers in the comment section. Feedback and suggestions to improve will be provided to each of the answers.
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