3. Deep Water by William Douglas

ddd### How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

#### 30-Word Answer:

Douglas describes his panic vividly by detailing his physical sensations: trembling, paralysis, and the feeling of being engulfed by water. He uses phrases like "stark terror" and "like a great charge of electricity"【6:4†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas conveys his panic through detailed descriptions of his physical and emotional state. He felt a "mass of yellow water" surrounding him, experienced "stark terror" gripping him "like a great charge of electricity," and was unable to move or call for help. His vivid imagery of being pulled underwater and his paralyzed limbs enhances the reader's understanding of his sheer panic【6:4†source】【6:5†source】.

#### 90-Word Answer:

Douglas makes his sense of panic clear by using vivid and detailed descriptions of his sensations and emotions. He felt surrounded by a "mass of yellow water," which instilled a "stark terror" in him, described as being "like a great charge of electricity." His limbs were paralyzed, and he was unable to call for help. He details his futile attempts to reach the surface and the overwhelming fear that ensued, making the reader feel his helplessness. The physical descriptions of his trembling, the sensation of drowning, and his eventual blacking out make the experience palpable【6:4†source】【6:5†source】【6:6†source】.

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### How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

#### 30-Word Answer:

Douglas overcame his fear of water through rigorous training with an instructor who rebuilt his swimming skills piece by piece, followed by repeated exposure to water until he felt confident【6:0†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas

b

Douglas describes his panic vividly by detailing his physical sensations: trembling, paralysis, and the feeling of being engulfed by water. He uses phrases like "stark terror" and "like a great charge of electricity"【6:4†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas conveys his panic through detailed descriptions of his physical and emotional state. He felt a "mass of yellow water" surrounding him, experienced "stark terror" gripping him "like a great charge of electricity," and was unable to move or call for help. His vivid imagery of being pulled underwater and his paralyzed limbs enhances the reader's understanding of his sheer panic【6:4†source】【6:5†source】.

#### 90-Word Answer:

Douglas makes his sense of panic clear by using vivid and detailed descriptions of his sensations and emotions. He felt surrounded by a "mass of yellow water," which instilled a "stark terror" in him, described as being "like a great charge of electricity." His limbs were paralyzed, and he was unable to call for help. He details his futile attempts to reach the surface and the overwhelming fear that ensued, making the reader feel his helplessness. The physical descriptions of his trembling, the sensation of drowning, and his eventual blacking out make the experience palpable【6:4†source】【6:5†source】【6:6†source】.

### How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.

#### 30-Word Answer:

Douglas describes his panic vividly by detailing his physical sensations: trembling, paralysis, and the feeling of being engulfed by water. He uses phrases like "stark terror" and "like a great charge of electricity"【6:4†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas conveys his panic through detailed descriptions of his physical and emotional state. He felt a "mass of yellow water" surrounding him, experienced "stark terror" gripping him "like a great charge of electricity," and was unable to move or call for help. His vivid imagery of being pulled underwater and his paralyzed limbs enhances the reader's understanding of his sheer panic【6:4†source】【6:5†source】.

#### 90-Word Answer:

Douglas makes his sense of panic clear by using vivid and detailed descriptions of his sensations and emotions. He felt surrounded by a "mass of yellow water," which instilled a "stark terror" in him, described as being "like a great charge of electricity." His limbs were paralyzed, and he was unable to call for help. He details his futile attempts to reach the surface and the overwhelming fear that ensued, making the reader feel his helplessness. The physical descriptions of his trembling, the sensation of drowning, and his eventual blacking out make the experience palpable【6:4†source】【6:5†source】【6:6†source】.

---

### How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

#### 30-Word Answer:

Douglas overcame his fear of water through rigorous training with an instructor who rebuilt his swimming skills piece by piece, followed by repeated exposure to water until he felt confident【6:0†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas

Think as you read

1. Why was Douglas determined to that fear of it can produce, the

get over his fear of water? will to live somehow grew in 

2. How did the instructor “build a intensity.    swimmer” out of Douglas? 

At last I felt released — free

 3. How did Douglas make sure that to walk the trails and climb the he conquered the old terror? peaks and to brush aside fear.

 that it is

Understanding the text

1. How does Douglas make clear to the reader the sense of panic that gripped him as he almost drowned? Describe the details that have made the description vivid.
2. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
3. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from this experience?

Talking about the text

1. “All we have to fear is fear itself”. Have you ever had a fear that you have now overcome? Share your experience with your partner.
2. Find and narrate other stories about conquest of fear and what people have said about courage. For example, you can recall Nelson Mandela’s struggle for freedom, his perseverance to achieve his mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor as depicted in his autobiography. The story We’re Not Afraid To Die, which you have read in Class XI, is an apt example of how courage and optimism helped a family survive under the direst stress.

Writing

1. Doing well in any activity, for example a sport, music, dance or painting, riding a motorcycle or a car, involves a great deal of struggle. Most of us are very nervous to begin with until gradually we overcome our fears and perform well.

Write an essay of about five paragraphs recounting such an experience. Try to recollect minute details of what caused the fear, your feelings, the encouragement you got from others or the criticism.

You could begin with the last sentence of the essay you have just read — “At last I felt released — free to walk the trails and climb the peaks and to brush aside fear.”

2. Write a short letter to someone you know about your having learnt to do something new. Things to do

Are there any water sports in India? Find out about the areas or places which are known for water sports.

Douglas describes his panic vividly by detailing his physical sensations: trembling, paralysis, and the feeling of being engulfed by water. He uses phrases like "stark terror" and "like a great charge of electricity"【6:4†source】.

#### 60-Word Answer:

Douglas conveys his panic through detailed descriptions of his physical and emotional state. He felt a "mass of yellow water" surrounding him, experienced "stark terror" gripping him "like a great charge of electricity," and was unable to move or call for help. His vivid imagery of being pulled underwater and his paralyzed limbs enhances the reader's understanding of his sheer panic【6:4†source】【6:5†source】.

#### 90-Word Answer:

Douglas makes his sense of panic clear by using vivid and detailed descriptions of his sensations and emotions. He felt surrounded by a "mass of yellow water," which instilled a "stark terror" in him, described as being "like a great charge of electricity." His limbs were paralyzed, and he was unable to call for help. He details his futile attempts to reach the surface and the overwhelming fear that ensued, making the reader feel his helplessness. The physical descriptions of his trembling, the sensation of drowning, and his eventual blacking out make the experience palpable【6:4†source】【6:5†source】【6:6†source】.