NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill: Chapter 7 — 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' by Gordon Cook and Alan East, recounts a harrowing sea voyage. The narrator, his wife Mary, and their two children embark on a round-the-world journey in their boat, Wavewalker, aiming to replicate Captain James Cook's voyage. After a pleasant start, they encounter severe storms and gigantic waves in the southern Indian Ocean. A massive wave nearly capsizes their boat, throwing the narrator overboard. He miraculously survives and regains control of the damaged vessel. His wife informs him that the boat is sinking. The chapter highlights the couple's courage, resilience, and determination to survive against overwhelming odds, emphasizing the importance of family unity and preparedness in the face of extreme danger. It serves as a testament to human spirit and the will to live.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Hornbill |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — 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 and the human response to extreme danger.
- Analyze the themes of courage, resilience, and family unity in the face of adversity.
- Infer the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary from context.
- Appreciate the importance of preparedness and skill in survival situations.
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, expansive sea |
| ominous silence | a silence that suggests something bad or unpleasant is going to happen |
| a tousled head | a messy or dishevelled head of hair |
| Mayday calls | distress signals used in radio communication by ships or aircraft in imminent danger |
| gales | strong winds |
| gigantic | very large; huge |
| storm jib | a small, strong sail used in stormy weather |
| knots | a unit of speed, equal to one nautical mile per hour |
| stern | the rear part of a ship or boat |
| life-raft drill | practice of preparing and using an inflatable raft for emergencies at sea |
| oilskins | waterproof clothing worn by sailors |
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Practice questions
- Who were the authors of the chapter 'We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together'? Answer: Gordon Cook and Alan East.
- What was the name of the boat the narrator and his family sailed in? Answer: Wavewalker.
- Where did the narrator and his family set sail from? Answer: Plymouth, England.
- What was the main goal of their voyage? Answer: To duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook.
- What kind of weather did they encounter after leaving Cape Town? Answer: Continuous strong gales and gigantic waves.
- What happened to the narrator during the storm? Answer: He was thrown overboard by a massive wave but managed to survive and regain control of the boat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together'?
The main theme is human courage, resilience, and the will to survive in the face of extreme danger and natural forces, emphasizing family unity.
Who are the main characters in the story?
The main characters are the narrator (Gordon Cook), his wife Mary, their son Jonathan, and their daughter Suzanne.
What challenges did the family face during their voyage?
They faced severe storms, gigantic waves, and a near-fatal encounter with a massive wave that threatened to sink their boat.
What does 'honing our seafaring skills' mean in the context of the chapter?
It means that the narrator and his wife had spent many years practicing and improving their abilities in sailing and navigating ships.
What was the significance of the 'ominous silence' mentioned in the text?
The ominous silence preceded the arrival of a colossal wave, indicating a sudden and dangerous shift in the weather.
How did the family members react to the crisis?
They reacted with a mixture of fear and determination, following safety procedures and supporting each other to survive.
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NCERT Class 11 English — Hornbill — Chapter 7 — 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.