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We’re Not Afraid to Die... If We Can All be Together
Describe the steps taken by the captain and the crewmen to protect the boat from the storm and the gigantic waves. Were they successful?
Just on the second day when they left Cape Town, Wavewalker began to face all kinds of troubles. Strong gales lashed the boat for the next few weeks. The size of the waves was really alarming. They went up as high as the main mast. The captain took immediate steps to save the boat. The boat was slowed down. The storm jib was dropped. Heavy mooring ropes were lashed across the stern. Lifelines were attached. Oilskins and life-jackets were donned. A tremendous explosion shook the deck. A torrent of green and white water broke over the ship. Wavewalker was near capsizing. Her masts had fallen flat. Waves tossed him around the deck like a rag doll. Larry and Herb continued pumping water out like madmen. If they couldn’t make some repairs, they would surely sink. Waterproof covers across the open holes were covered. Most of the water was now being thrown over the sides.
All the urgent steps were taken. Fortunately, they proved quite effective. By the morning of January 6, the wind eased. Wavewalker rode out storm. But still it couldn’t hold for long to reach Australia. Hence, the search for islands began. In the end, Wavewalker had a cheerful landing at lle Amsterdam.
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The following words used in the text as ship terminology are also commonly used in another sense. In what contexts would you use the other meaning?
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knot |
stern |
boom |
hatch |
anchor |
The following three compound words end in-ship. What does each of them mean?
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airship |
flagship |
lightship |
The following are the meanings listed in the dictionary against the phrase ‘take on’. In which meaning is it used in the third paragraph of the account:
take on sth: to begin to have a particular quality or appearance ; to assume sth
take sb on: to employ sb ; to engage sb
to accept sb as one’s opponent in a game, contest or conflict
take sb / sth on: to decide to do sth ; to allow sth/sb to enter e.g. a bus, plane or ship ; to take sth/sb on board
Given on the next page is a picture of a yacht. Label the parts of the yacht using the terms given in the box.
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bow |
cabin |
rudder |
cockpit |
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stern |
boom |
mainsail |
mast |
Here is some information downloaded from the Internet on lle Amsterdam. You can view images of the isle if you go online.
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Location |
South Indian Ocean, between southernmost parts of Australia and South Africa |
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Latitude and longitude |
37 92 S, 77 67 E |
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Sovereignty |
France |
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Political status notes |
Part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
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Population |
35 |
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Census notes |
Meteorological station staff |
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Land area in square kilometres |
86 |
Locate lle Amsterdam on the world map. Ans. For self-attempt.
Whom did the narrator and his family want to duplicate and why?
Describe the boat and the plan of the journey.
How did they pass the first leg of their journey?
When and how did they encounter their first troubles during the long voyage?
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