Deep Water — Class 12 MCQs with Answers
Class 12 CBSE English · Chapter 3
30 practice questions · 30 Medium · Updated
Practise the most important Class 12 CBSE English questions from Chapter 3, "Deep Water". You get 3 timed quizzes made from 30 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 30 Medium. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams apart.
To score well in "Deep Water", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Deep Water, then move to Medium to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 12 English mastery score. 2 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Deep Water (Class 12 English)
An excerpt from William Douglas's 'Of Men and Mountains'. Thrown into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool at ten or eleven, he nearly drowns and carries the terror of water for years. He then hires an instructor, is rebuilt 'piece by piece' into a swimmer, and tests the fear down to its last trace.
- William Douglas
- William Douglas (1898-1980), born in Maine, Minnesota. He taught high school in Yakima, then took up law, met Franklin D. Roosevelt at Yale, and became the longest-serving Justice in the history of the court, retiring in 1975 after thirty-six years.
- Why the Y.M.C.A. pool
- The Yakima River was treacherous and his mother kept 'fresh in my mind the details of each drowning'. The pool was safe — two or three feet at the shallow end, nine at the other, with a gradual drop.
- The earlier fear
- At three or four, on a California beach with his father, the waves knocked him down and swept over him: 'Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the overpowering force of the waves.'
- The misadventure
- A big bruiser of a boy of about eighteen called out 'Hi, Skinny! How'd you like to be ducked?' and tossed him into the deep end.
Deep Water — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 12 English)
2 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 28 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Medium
'Deep Water' is an excerpt from which book, and by whom?
A.Of Men and Mountains, by William O. Douglas✓ CorrectB.Lost Spring, by Anees JungC.The Rattrap, by Selma LagerlöfD.A Thing of Beauty, by John KeatsAnswer: A. Of Men and Mountains, by William O. Douglas
Explanation: The excerpt is taken from 'Of Men and Mountains' by William O. Douglas.
- Q2Medium
Where did Douglas's aversion to water begin?
A.At the Yakima RiverB.At a California beach at three or four, when waves knocked him down and swept over him✓ CorrectC.At the Y.M.C.A. poolD.At Warm Lake in the Goat RocksAnswer: B. At a California beach at three or four, when waves knocked him down and swept over him
Explanation: 'the waves knocked me down and swept over me. I was buried in water. My breath was gone. I was frightened.'
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Start this chapter free →Deep Water — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 12 English Deep Water?+
An excerpt from William Douglas's 'Of Men and Mountains'. Thrown into the deep end of the Y.M.C.A. pool at ten or eleven, he nearly drowns and carries the terror of water for years. He then hires an instructor, is rebuilt 'piece by piece' into a swimmer, and tests the fear down to its last trace. Key ideas include William Douglas, Why the Y.M.C.A. pool, The earlier fear, The misadventure.
What does Class 12 English Chapter 3 (Deep Water) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 30 NCERT-based MCQs on "Deep Water": 30 Medium. Together they make 3 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Deep Water" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Deep Water" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Deep Water" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium to practise applying them. There are 3 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Deep Water" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 2 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Deep Water" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Deep Water (Class 12 English)?+
The questions that matter most test William Douglas, Why the Y.M.C.A. pool, The earlier fear, The misadventure. This page shows 2 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 30 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Deep Water?+
Yes — Class 12 English Deep Water has timed online quizzes at Medium levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.