NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 3 Deep Water
This worksheet provides NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Deep Water from the Flamingo textbook. The chapter describes the personal experience of William Douglas and how he developed a deep fear of water after a frightening incident in a swimming pool. It also explains how he gradually overcame this fear through determination and systematic practice. This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions that help students understand the chapter clearly. The solutions follow the same sequence and structure as the NCERT exercises so that students can revise the chapter easily and prepare confidently for examinations.
Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes
The chapter Deep Water is an autobiographical narrative by William Douglas. It describes a childhood incident in which Douglas nearly drowned after being thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool. This experience created a strong fear of water that stayed with him for many years. Later in life, he decided to face this fear and learned swimming with the help of a trained instructor. Through continuous practice and determination, he gradually overcame his fear and became confident in the water. The chapter highlights the theme that fear can control a person’s life, but courage and determination can help overcome it.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
• Vocabulary development through contextual meanings of expressions
• Reading comprehension based on the author’s personal experience
• Understanding emotions such as fear, panic, and courage
• Discussion about overcoming fear and building confidence
• Understanding narrative style and literary expressions
• Writing activities based on personal experiences
How to use these NCERT solutions?
Students should first read the chapter carefully and attempt all the questions on their own. After completing the exercises, they can refer to these NCERT Solutions to check their answers and improve their understanding. Parents and teachers can also use these solutions to guide students in explaining the ideas and emotions presented in the chapter. Since the answers follow the exact order of NCERT exercises, they help students revise the lesson effectively and prepare well for assessments.
Student tips & learning tricks
• Focus on the main incident that caused Douglas’s fear of water.
• Understand how the author describes his emotions and physical reactions during the drowning experience.
• Pay attention to how the instructor trained Douglas step by step.
• While writing answers, clearly explain both the event and the message of the story.
• Remember the central idea that fear disappears when it is faced with courage and determination.
Why NCERT solutions are important?
NCERT Solutions help students understand textbook questions in a clear and structured manner. They guide learners in writing answers according to the format expected in school examinations. These solutions also support revision and help students understand important themes, vocabulary, and literary ideas. By practicing with NCERT-aligned answers, students improve their confidence and perform better in school assessments.
Complete answer key – NCERT solutions
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
Treacherous
Meaning: Dangerous and unpredictable.
In the chapter, the Yakima River is called treacherous because it could easily cause accidents and drownings.
Misadventure
Meaning: An unfortunate or unlucky incident.
Here it refers to the accident when Douglas was thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool and nearly drowned.
Subdued my pride
Meaning: Controlled or overcame one’s feelings of embarrassment or ego.
Douglas felt shy about showing his thin legs but controlled his pride and entered the pool.
Bob to the surface like a cork
Meaning: Rise quickly to the surface of water like a floating cork.
Douglas thought he would push from the bottom of the pool and float up easily.
Flailed at the surface
Meaning: Move arms and legs wildly in panic.
Douglas desperately tried to stay afloat by struggling violently in the water.
Curtain of life fell
Meaning: A metaphor meaning losing consciousness or almost dying.
Douglas uses this expression to describe the moment when he felt he was about to die.
Fishing for landlocked salmon
Meaning: Catching salmon fish that live in lakes instead of the sea.
Douglas mentions this activity while describing his fishing trips.
Back and forth across the pool
Meaning: Moving repeatedly from one side of the pool to the other.
The instructor made Douglas swim across the pool many times during training.
Think as you read (Page 27)
1. The misadventure was the incident when a big boy suddenly picked Douglas up and threw him into the deep end of the swimming pool. Douglas could not swim and sank to the bottom. He struggled desperately to reach the surface and almost drowned before being rescued.
2. At first, Douglas felt frightened but tried to remain calm. Soon panic and terror took over as he struggled for breath and swallowed water. He felt helpless and paralysed with fear. His plan was to push himself from the bottom of the pool, jump upward like a cork, lie flat on the surface, and paddle to the edge.
3. The incident left Douglas deeply traumatized. He developed a strong fear of water and avoided swimming pools, lakes, and rivers. This fear followed him for many years and even ruined his enjoyment of activities like fishing, boating, and swimming.
Think as you read (Page 29)
1. Douglas loved outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming. His fear of water prevented him from enjoying these activities. Therefore, he decided to overcome his fear so that he could live freely and enjoy life without being controlled by terror.
2. The instructor trained Douglas gradually and patiently. He first used a belt and rope system to help him move safely across the pool. Then he taught him breathing techniques, how to put his face under water, and how to kick with his legs. Step by step, he combined these skills and eventually made Douglas a confident swimmer.
3. Douglas tested himself by swimming alone in different places. He swam across Lake Wentworth and practiced various strokes. Later he swam across Warm Lake as well. These experiences proved to him that he had finally conquered his fear of water.
Understanding the text
1. Douglas vividly describes his panic through detailed physical and emotional reactions. He mentions his lungs bursting, legs becoming paralysed, choking on water, and feeling dizzy. The repeated attempts to jump to the surface and the description of “yellow water” around him create a powerful image of terror and helplessness.
2. Douglas overcame his fear through patience, determination, and systematic training. His instructor taught him swimming techniques step by step and helped him practice regularly. Gradually his confidence grew, and he was able to swim independently. Eventually he defeated his fear completely.
3. Douglas recounts this experience to show how fear can control a person’s life if not confronted. By overcoming his fear of water, he learned that courage and determination can defeat even the strongest fears. The larger message is that the real enemy is fear itself.
Talking about the text
1. When I was younger, I was afraid of speaking in front of the class. My voice would shake and I would feel very nervous. With practice and encouragement from my teacher, I slowly gained confidence. Now I can speak in public without fear.
2. Nelson Mandela showed great courage during the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Despite being imprisoned for 27 years, he remained determined to fight for equality and freedom. His courage and perseverance eventually helped bring justice and democracy to his country.
Thinking about language
Douglas was sitting near the swimming pool when a big boy suddenly picked him up and threw him into the deep end. The boy struggled in the water and nearly drowned. People quickly pulled him out and laid him beside the pool. The incident left him frightened and weak.
The first-person narration used in the story is more powerful because it allows readers to feel Douglas’s fear and emotions directly.
Writing
At last I felt released — free to walk the trails and brush aside fear. When I first learned to ride a bicycle, I was very nervous. I was afraid of falling and getting hurt. My father encouraged me and helped me practice every day.
In the beginning I fell many times and lost confidence. However, I continued practicing and slowly learned to balance. After some time, I was able to ride smoothly without help.
That experience taught me an important lesson. Fear disappears when we face it with courage and determination.
Dear Riya,
I hope you are doing well. I want to tell you about something new I learned recently. I finally learned how to swim after many weeks of practice.
At first I was nervous, but my instructor helped me step by step. Now I can swim confidently and enjoy being in the water.
I am very happy about this achievement and wanted to share it with you.
Yours lovingly,
Ananya
Things to do
Some popular water sports in India include rafting, kayaking, jet skiing, scuba diving, and parasailing.
Famous places for water sports are:
Goa – parasailing, jet skiing
Rishikesh – river rafting
Andaman & Nicobar Islands – scuba diving
Kerala – kayaking and boating
These activities attract many tourists and adventure lovers.
Build confidence in literature and language skills with clear and reliable NCERT Solutions designed for Class 12 English learners.