NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill: Chapter 2 — We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together
This chapter, "We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together," recounts the harrowing experience of Gordon Cook, his wife Mary, and their two children as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe in their boat, Wavewalker. Inspired by Captain James Cook's voyage 200 years prior, they set sail from Plymouth. After a pleasant start down the west coast of Africa, they encountered increasingly severe storms in the southern Indian Ocean. On January 2, a colossal wave threatened to capsize their vessel. The narrator faced near-death, accepting his fate, but miraculously survived. The chapter details the struggle to keep the boat afloat amidst the storm, highlighting the courage and resilience of the family in the face of extreme danger. It emphasizes teamwork and the will to survive against overwhelming odds.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Hornbill |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 712 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the narrative of a challenging sea voyage.
- Analyze the themes of courage, resilience, and teamwork.
- Infer the meaning of new vocabulary from context.
- Appreciate the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| honing our seafaring skills | improving our abilities in sailing and navigating ships |
| pinpricks in the vast ocean | very small points in a large expanse of water, suggesting insignificance |
| ominous silence | a silence that suggests something bad or unpleasant is going to happen |
| a tousled head | a head of hair that is messy or untidy |
| Mayday calls | distress signals used in radio communication by ships or aircraft in imminent danger |
| gales | strong winds |
| knots | a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour |
| storm jib | a small, strong sail used in heavy winds |
| stern | the rear part of a ship or boat |
| capsizing | when a boat overturns in the water |
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Practice questions
- What was the goal of the narrator's voyage? Answer: The narrator's goal was to duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook.
- Who were the two additional crewmen hired in Cape Town? Answer: The two additional crewmen were American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler.
- What happened on January 2nd? Answer: On January 2nd, the waves became gigantic, and the ship encountered a tremendous explosion from an enormous wave.
- What did the narrator feel when he thought he was dying? Answer: When he thought he was dying, the narrator felt quite peaceful.
- What did Mary report when she appeared at the hatch? Answer: Mary reported that the ship was sinking, the decks were smashed, and they were full of water.
Frequently asked questions
What is the title of NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2?
The title of NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 is 'We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together'.
Who are the authors of this chapter?
The authors of this chapter are Gordon Cook and Alan East.
When did the narrator and his family set sail?
They set sail in July 1976.
What was the name of their boat?
Their boat was named Wavewalker.
What significant event occurred on January 2nd?
On January 2nd, they encountered gigantic waves and a massive storm that threatened to sink their boat.
What does 'Mayday calls' refer to in the context of the chapter?
'Mayday calls' refer to distress signals used in emergencies at sea, indicating imminent danger.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Hornbill — Chapter 2 — We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.