📖 Deep Water – Chapter Case Based MCQs| Class 12 English (Flamingo) | CBSE 2025

Deep Water

Chapter Case Based MCQs

Class 12 English (Flamingo) 

CBSE 2025

Case Study 1: (The Origin of Fear)

Douglas was about three or four years old when he went to a beach in California with his father. A huge wave knocked him down, covering him in water. He struggled, choked, and felt suffocated. This terrifying experience created a deep fear of water in his mind, which stayed with him for years.

MCQs:

Q1. What caused Douglas’s initial fear of water?
A) He was afraid of drowning stories.
B) He was once attacked by a sea creature.
C) A strong wave knocked him down as a child.
D) His father warned him about deep water.

✅ Answer: C) A strong wave knocked him down as a child.

Q2. What was Douglas’s reaction after the incident?
A) He became a professional swimmer.
B) He started avoiding water.
C) He immediately learned to swim.
D) He forgot about it soon after.

✅ Answer: B) He started avoiding water.

Q3. Which of the following best describes Douglas’s emotion during the incident?
A) Excitement
B) Overconfidence
C) Fear and helplessness
D) Determination

✅ Answer: C) Fear and helplessness

Q4. What lesson does this incident teach us?
A) Always stay away from water.
B) Early experiences shape our fears.
C) Swimming is a dangerous activity.
D) Water can never be trusted.

✅ Answer: B) Early experiences shape our fears.

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Case Study 2: (The YMCA Pool Incident)

At the YMCA swimming pool, Douglas decided to learn swimming. One day, when he was alone, a big boy threw him into the deep end for fun. Douglas sank to the bottom and struggled to rise. He tried to push himself up but failed and felt paralyzed with fear. Eventually, he lost consciousness and was pulled out later.

MCQs:

Q5. What led to Douglas’s near-drowning experience?
A) He jumped into deep water by mistake.
B) His coach pushed him as a test.
C) A bully threw him into the deep end.
D) He was caught in a water current.

✅ Answer: C) A bully threw him into the deep end.

Q6. How did Douglas try to save himself?
A) He used a life jacket.
B) He pushed himself up by kicking hard.
C) He screamed for help.
D) He immediately swam to the side.

✅ Answer: B) He pushed himself up by kicking hard.

Q7. What did Douglas feel as he struggled in the water?
A) Excitement
B) A sense of calmness
C) A feeling of death approaching
D) Confidence in his ability to swim

✅ Answer: C) A feeling of death approaching

Q8. What effect did this incident have on Douglas?
A) It made him more confident in water.
B) It created a lifelong fear of swimming.
C) It motivated him to train harder.
D) He forgot about it quickly.

✅ Answer: B) It created a lifelong fear of swimming.

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Case Study 3: (The Psychological Impact)

After his near-drowning experience, Douglas developed a phobia of water. Even years later, he felt terrified near pools, rivers, and lakes. His fear was so strong that he could not even enjoy fishing or boating. However, he eventually decided that he would not let fear control his life.

MCQs:

Q9. How did Douglas react to water after the YMCA incident?
A) He avoided all water bodies.
B) He started swimming regularly.
C) He became an Olympic swimmer.
D) He never felt scared of water again.

✅ Answer: A) He avoided all water bodies.

Q10. What does Douglas’s story highlight about fear?
A) Fear is a permanent condition.
B) Fear can be overcome with effort.
C) Fear makes people stronger.
D) Fear disappears automatically.

✅ Answer: B) Fear can be overcome with effort.

Q11. What activities did Douglas avoid due to his phobia?
A) Reading and writing
B) Boating and fishing
C) Running and jumping
D) Trekking and mountaineering

✅ Answer: B) Boating and fishing

Q12. Why did Douglas finally decide to overcome his fear?
A) He wanted to impress his friends.
B) He realized fear was ruining his life.
C) His parents forced him.
D) He needed to learn swimming for a job.

✅ Answer: B) He realized fear was ruining his life.

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Case Study 4: (Overcoming Fear)

Determined to conquer his fear, Douglas hired a swimming instructor. The instructor trained him step by step, making him practice breathing, kicking, and strokes separately. Over time, Douglas became comfortable in the water but still had some fear left. To fully overcome it, he swam in lakes and rivers alone.

MCQs:

Q13. How did Douglas begin his training?
A) By swimming in deep lakes
B) By practicing breathing exercises
C) By reading swimming books
D) By avoiding deep water

✅ Answer: B) By practicing breathing exercises

Q14. What did the instructor use to help Douglas initially?
A) A rope tied to Douglas
B) A life jacket
C) An oxygen mask
D) A weight belt

✅ Answer: A) A rope tied to Douglas

Q15. What did Douglas do to test himself?
A) He swam in different water bodies alone.
B) He competed in swimming tournaments.
C) He quit swimming after his training.
D) He avoided deep water after learning.

✅ Answer: A) He swam in different water bodies alone.

Q16. What life lesson does this story teach us?
A) Fear cannot be defeated.
B) Confidence and effort can conquer fear.
C) Swimming is dangerous.
D) Avoiding challenges makes life easier.

✅ Answer: B) Confidence and effort can conquer fear.

Case Study 5: The Role of the Swimming Instructor

Douglas was determined to overcome his fear of water. He hired a swimming instructor who taught him step by step. The instructor first tied a belt around Douglas, attached it to a rope and pulley system, and made him swim back and forth across the pool. Slowly, he taught Douglas how to breathe properly, float, and use strokes efficiently. This training helped Douglas gain confidence, but a small part of fear still remained.

MCQs:

Q17. What method did the instructor use to train Douglas?
A) Threw him into the deep end
B) Used a systematic training approach
C) Made him practice in a river
D) Forced him to swim in dangerous water

✅ Answer: B) Used a systematic training approach

Q18. Why was a belt and rope used during training?
A) To keep Douglas from drowning
B) To help Douglas breathe better
C) To make swimming easier
D) To increase Douglas’s speed

✅ Answer: A) To keep Douglas from drowning

Q19. Despite training, why did Douglas still feel a little fear?
A) He was physically weak
B) He had not learned proper strokes
C) Fear was deeply rooted in his mind
D) His instructor did not teach him well

✅ Answer: C) Fear was deeply rooted in his mind

Q20. What does Douglas’s approach to overcoming fear teach us?
A) Fear cannot be overcome completely
B) Fear can be defeated through step-by-step training
C) Learning to swim is very difficult
D) One should never attempt to learn new things

✅ Answer: B) Fear can be defeated through step-by-step training

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Case Study 6: Testing His Courage

Even after learning swimming, Douglas was not completely free from fear. To test himself, he went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire and swam alone. At one point, a moment of fear returned, but he bravely fought against it and continued swimming. Later, he also swam across Warm Lake and finally felt completely free from fear.

MCQs:

Q21. Why did Douglas swim in lakes after learning from the instructor?
A) To enjoy swimming
B) To test whether he had truly overcome his fear
C) To prepare for a swimming competition
D) To train others in swimming

✅ Answer: B) To test whether he had truly overcome his fear

Q22. What happened while swimming in Lake Wentworth?
A) He was caught in a whirlpool
B) He was attacked by an animal
C) His old fear of drowning returned
D) He felt completely fearless from the beginning

✅ Answer: C) His old fear of drowning returned

Q23. How did Douglas react when fear returned?
A) He gave up swimming immediately
B) He panicked and called for help
C) He stopped for a moment, then continued swimming
D) He decided never to swim again

✅ Answer: C) He stopped for a moment, then continued swimming

Q24. What lesson does this experience teach us?
A) Fear can never be eliminated
B) One should never swim alone
C) Facing fear repeatedly helps overcome it
D) Swimming in lakes is dangerous

✅ Answer: C) Facing fear repeatedly helps overcome it

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Case Study 7: The Psychological Battle with Fear

Douglas’s fear of water was not just physical but psychological. Even after training, his mind played tricks on him, making him feel that he could still drown. This shows how deeply past traumatic experiences affect people. However, by facing his fears multiple times, Douglas freed himself from psychological terror.

MCQs:

Q25. What was the main reason Douglas still felt fear after training?
A) He lacked proper swimming skills
B) He was not physically strong
C) His mind still associated water with danger
D) His instructor did not teach him properly

✅ Answer: C) His mind still associated water with danger

Q26. What does this case tell us about overcoming fear?
A) Training is useless in fighting fear
B) Psychological fears need mental courage to overcome
C) Avoiding fear makes it disappear
D) Fear can never be conquered

✅ Answer: B) Psychological fears need mental courage to overcome

Q27. How did Douglas finally defeat his fear?
A) By giving up swimming
B) By continuously testing himself in deep water
C) By seeking medical treatment
D) By ignoring his fear

✅ Answer: B) By continuously testing himself in deep water

Q28. What does Douglas’s story teach about mental strength?
A) Mental strength is not important in life
B) We should avoid situations that scare us
C) Facing fears repeatedly helps in defeating them
D) People should never try to overcome their fears

✅ Answer: C) Facing fears repeatedly helps in defeating them

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Case Study 8: ‘All We Have to Fear is Fear Itself’

The author William Douglas quotes Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said:
“All we have to fear is fear itself.”
Douglas realized that fear itself is more dangerous than the thing we fear. He understood that fear limits our experiences, weakens us, and prevents us from truly living. By overcoming his fear of water, he proved that one can defeat any fear with courage and determination.

MCQs:

Q29. What does the phrase ‘All we have to fear is fear itself’ mean?
A) Fear is more dangerous than any real danger
B) Fear is an illusion that disappears on its own
C) Fear is helpful in keeping us safe
D) One should always be scared of new experiences

✅ Answer: A) Fear is more dangerous than any real danger

Q30. How did Douglas prove this statement true?
A) He remained scared of water his whole life
B) He learned to swim and overcame his fear
C) He stopped going near water bodies
D) He took medicine to remove his fear

✅ Answer: B) He learned to swim and overcame his fear

Q31. What does this story teach us about fear?
A) Fear is permanent and cannot be removed
B) Fear can be overcome with effort and courage
C) It is best to avoid our fears
D) Only strong people can fight their fears

✅ Answer: B) Fear can be overcome with effort and courage

Q32. How does Douglas’s story inspire people?
A) It teaches us to avoid swimming
B) It shows that fear controls us forever
C) It proves that mental strength can defeat fear
D) It warns against learning new things

✅ Answer: C) It proves that mental strength can defeat fear

📖 Deep Water – Chapter Important Question-Answers| Class 12 English (Flamingo) | CBSE 2025

Deep Water

Important Questions & Answers 

CBSE Board Exam Preparation

Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks Each)

Q1. Why was Douglas afraid of water even before the YMCA pool incident?
✅ Answer:
Douglas’s fear of water started when he was 3 or 4 years old. While at a beach in California, a strong wave knocked him down, covering him with water. He choked on water and felt suffocated, which left him terrified of water.

Q2. What was the misadventure that happened at the YMCA pool?
✅ Answer:
When Douglas was 10 or 11 years old, he decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool. One day, a big boy threw him into the deep end. Douglas sank down and struggled to reach the surface, but failed. He panicked and almost lost consciousness, developing an intense fear of water.

Q3. How did Douglas try to save himself from drowning?
✅ Answer:
Douglas planned to jump up like a cork and reach the surface. He tried to push himself up, but his legs felt paralyzed. Every time he sank, he made desperate attempts to come up but failed. Eventually, he gave up hope and lost consciousness.

Q4. How did the drowning experience affect Douglas later in life?
✅ Answer:
The drowning experience left Douglas psychologically scarred. He avoided water and felt fear even while fishing, boating, or standing near water. His fear limited his experiences, making him feel helpless and weak.

Q5. Why did Douglas decide to learn swimming despite his fear?
✅ Answer:
Douglas realized that fear was stopping him from enjoying life. He did not want to remain a prisoner of his fear. So, he hired a swimming instructor and trained with persistence and patience to conquer his fear.

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Long Answer Questions (5-6 Marks Each)

Q6. How did Douglas finally overcome his fear of water?
✅ Answer:

• Douglas hired a swimming instructor, who taught him step by step.
• First, he learned breathing techniques and how to float.
• Then, he practiced kicking and strokes with the instructor.
• After months of training, he gained confidence but still had some fear left.
• To test himself, he swam alone in lakes and rivers like the Warm Lake.
• Through self-discipline, determination, and practice, he completely overcame his fear of water.

Q7. “All we have to fear is fear itself.” How does the story of William Douglas prove this statement?
✅ Answer:

• The chapter shows that fear is a psychological barrier that prevents us from enjoying life.
• Douglas was terrified of water due to past trauma. His fear controlled his actions, stopping him from swimming and enjoying water-related activities.
• However, once he decided to face his fear, he conquered it step by step.
• The story proves that fear can be overcome with courage, effort, and determination.

Q8. What role did the swimming instructor play in Douglas’s life?
✅ Answer:

• The instructor taught Douglas swimming scientifically by breaking it down into steps.
• He made Douglas practice breathing, kicking, and strokes separately.
• Instead of forcing him, he built Douglas’s confidence over time.
• The instructor helped Douglas transform from a fearful boy into a confident swimmer.

Q9. What lessons does ‘Deep Water’ teach us about life?
✅ Answer:

• Overcoming fear is possible with effort and determination.
• Fear is an illusion that limits our potential.
• Hard work and patience are key to success.
• Self-discipline and courage help us break free from our weaknesses.
• We should never let bad experiences define our future.

Deep Water – Chapter Summary & Explanation | Class 12 English (Flamingo) | CBSE 2025

Chapter Summary: Deep Water (By William Douglas)

Introduction:

"Deep Water" is an autobiographical account from William Douglas that describes his struggle with fear of water and how he overcame it through determination and courage. The chapter highlights the impact of childhood experiences and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in overcoming fears.

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Summary:

🔹 A Childhood Incident at the Beach (Age 3 or 4):

• Douglas’s fear of water started when he was 3 or 4 years old.
• He was with his father at a California beach, where a strong wave knocked him down.
• He was swept away and choked on water, leaving him terrified of water.

🔹 Near-Drowning Experience at the YMCA Pool (Age 10 or 11):

• To overcome his fear, he decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool.
• One day, when he was alone at the pool, a big boy pushed him into the deep end.
• Douglas sank to the bottom and tried to push himself up but sank again.
• He struggled desperately but felt helpless and suffocated.
• Before losing consciousness, he experienced fear like death itself.

🔹 Psychological Impact of the Incident:

• The experience left him mentally scarred and petrified of water.
• He avoided swimming, rivers, pools, and lakes for many years.
• His fear limited his life experiences and made him feel weak.

🔹 Overcoming the Fear:

• Douglas finally decided to fight his fear and hired a swimming instructor.
• The instructor used scientific techniques, making him practice kicking and breathing in water.
• After months of training and persistence, he learned swimming stroke by stroke.
• To test himself, he swam across lakes and rivers like the Warm Lake.
• He gradually conquered his fear and proved that willpower and determination can defeat any obstacle.

🔹 Moral and Life Lesson:

• The story teaches that fear is only as strong as we allow it to be.
• Courage, persistence, and self-determination can help us overcome our worst fears.
• The chapter highlights Roosevelt’s quote: “All we have to fear is fear itself.”

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Key Highlights & Themes:

✔ Fear and Its Psychological Impact – The chapter explores how fear controls our lives and stops us from experiencing happiness.

✔ Overcoming Fear through Determination – Douglas conquers his phobia of water with discipline, training, and persistence.

✔ The Role of Childhood Trauma – Early bad experiences can leave a lasting effect on a person’s life.

✔ Importance of Courage & Willpower – True courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome it.

✔ Life is Valuable – Douglas's experience near death made him value life even more.

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Conclusion:

"Deep Water" is an inspiring lesson in courage and perseverance. It encourages us to face our fears instead of running away from them. Through hard work and self-belief, we can defeat any challenge in life.