Deep Water By William Douglas is the third chapter in the English Core XII book Flamingo. This is a story about the author himself. He shares about his fear for water. He also mentions about his will power, commitment, courage, hard work and strong desire to come out from his fear from water.
There is a term ‘Phobia‘ for fear i.e. Hydrophobia means fear of water. People may have some other type of fear as well. Question is not about the things that causes fear, important is fear itself. There may be psychological and sociological reason to be feared. Psychology too has worked a lot on this subject.
Any sudden shock or impression in the naive mind of a child can cause phobia in him. A child is approaching his room slowly and meanwhile his friend, relative or anyone hides himself into that room. When that child enters, that person try to scare him through his scary tone – all this looks funny but it may cause phobia in that child.
When the author was three or four years old, Waves at California beach knocked him down. He was buried in water and that terror of waves put a permanent footprint in his mind. This is a story of his quest against his fear.
He discussed his selection of YMCA pool i.e. it was safe and just 3 feet deep in the shallow end. There is also the description of Yakima River, Tieton or Bumping River, Warm Lake of the Goat Rocks, New Hampshire, Deschutes and Metolius in Oregon. [Students must learn these terms for comprehension identification purposes]
In this article, we are presenting our readers the previous 4 year Board of School Education, Haryana Question Papers having questions from The Deep Water. It may help our readers about the trend of questions that was being asked by Board in its final examination.
Question Asked in Board Examinations
- How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? [A-2017, 5 Marks]
- Why was Douglas determined to get over the fear of water? [B-2017, B-2018, 2 Marks Each Time]
- What is the misadventure the William Douglas spoke about? [C-2017, C-2020, 2 Marks, 5 Marks]
- Why did Douglas thinks that YMCA pool was safe? [D-2017, B-2019, 2 Marks Each Time]
- How did the misadventure affect Douglas? [A-2018, 2 Marks]
- What kind of person is William Douglas? [C-2018, 2 Marks]
- Where did Douglas finally learn to swim? [D-2018, 2 Marks]
- How did Douglas developed aversion to water? [A-2019, 5 Marks]
- Why did Douglas went to Lake Went-worth in New Hampshire? [A-2019, D-2020, 2 Marks Each Time]
- Mention any two long term consequences of drowning incident of Douglas? [D-2019, 2 Marks]
- When did the writer join the YMCA pool and why? [A-2020, 2 Marks]
- What special method did the instructor use to teach the writer to swim? [B-2020, 2 Marks]
Analysis
In previous 4 years, 4 sets of examination each year – 16 sets have come and 16 times, questions from this chapter have appeared to students. Appearance of this chapter is 100% in board examination.
There are twelve unique questions appeared in board examination in previous 4 years. Four questions repeated. Question no.1 first appeared in B-2017 and repeated in B-2018. There are twelve unique questions appeared in board examination in previous 4 years.
Four questions repeated. Question no. 2 first appeared in B-2017 and repeated in B-2018. Question no. 3 first appeared in C-2017 and repeated in C-2020. Surprisingly first time this question was asked for 2 marks and later for 5 marks.
Question no. 4 first appeared in D-2017 and repeated in B-2019. Question no.1 first appeared in A-2019 and repeated in D-2020. Repetition of questions from this chapter is 33.33%. This percentage can be considered as a high rate of repetition.
Out of 16 questions, 13 question are of 2 marks and 3 question are of 5 marks. Part of Flamingo carries 20 marks in each set i.e. 320 marks in 4 years. This chapter has the value of 41 + 10 marks of comprehension in previous 4 years board examinations i.e. 15.93% of the total Flamingo.
Closely analyze 5 marks questions – All questions are related to Douglas’ aversion to water and how he overcome his fear? Out of many places discussed in this chapter, part of YMCA pool and New Hampshire is asked 5 times.
All the students are advised to first learn the cause of his fear of water, his visit at YMCA pool, Misadventure and accident at YMCA pool, New Hampshire visit, instructor role in overcome his fear of water.
Advice from Ajay Lilrain
Comprehension
“It had happened when ……………………………………………………….pride and did it.” This comprehension was asked in B-2017. These comprehensions carries 5 marks. Major synonym were asked Chance and Dangerous that means Opportunity and Treacherous from the text.
“My introduction to the ……………………………………………………….misadventure happened.” This comprehension was asked in C-2018. These comprehensions carries 5 marks. No major synonym or antonym were asked.
Conclusion
This chapter is unique in understanding the importance of conquest on our’s own fear and stigmas. It was the victory on fear of death that led Bhagat Singh and other martyrs to face the gallows. Search for the similar stories i.e. real or literary to understand the concept. Also share your own stories of victory on your phobias through comment box.