Chapter 2: “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together”

1. Knot

(a) In a rope/string – a joint which is made by tying two ends or pieces of string or rope together. For example – to tie a knot.

(b) Of hair – Twisting the hair into a round shape at the back of the head. For example – Ria tied her hair in a loose knot.

(c) In wood – a round hard spot in wood where once a branch was present.

(d) Referring to a group of people – a small group of people standing together. For example – Little knots of children gathered at the school gate.

(e) In muscles – a hard, tight feeling in the stomach or throat which are caused by anger, nerves, etc. For example – I felt the knot of fear in his throat.

2. Stern

(a) Often disapproving and serious, expecting others to obey you. For example – His voice was stern.

(b) Difficult and serious. For example – We faced stern opposition.

3. Boom

(a) In economy/ business – an increase in economic activity or trade, a period of success and wealth. For example – A boom in the sales of plots.

(b) Popular period – a time period during which a sport or music suddenly became popular and successful. For example – The way to satisfy the boom of cricket is to provide more playgrounds.

(c) A deep loud sound. For example – the distant boom of the horn.

(d) In harbour/ river – A floating barrier which is placed at the harbour entrance to prevent ships from going out or coming in.

(e) In microphone – A long pole which carries a microphone.

4. Hatch

(a) An opening in the wall between the dining room and a kitchen through which food is passed. For example – a serving hatch.

(b) A door in a spacecraft or an aircraft.

(c) An escape hatch – a door in a ceiling or floor or an opening. For example – a hatch to the attic.

(d) Young fish, bird or insect coming out of the egg.

(e) To create an idea or a plan in secret.

5. Anchor

(a) to fix something in a position firmly so that it cannot move. For example – Ensure that the apparatus is anchored securely.

(b) to base something on something else firmly. For example – Prem’s novels are anchored in the life of humans.

(c) A person who reports, reads the news on television or radio. For example – The evening news was anchored by Rihana for five years.

(d) A thing or a person who gives a feeling of safety. For example –  Julia was the anchor of my life in difficult times.

1. Airship – A large aircraft that has no wings, which is filled with gas that is driven by engines and lighter than air.

2. Flagship –

(i) In the navy, the main ship among the fleet of ships.

(ii) The important service, product or building owned or produced by an organization. For example, the company is opening a new flagship store in Germany.

3. Lightship – A small ship which stays in a particular place at sea and has a powerful light to guide or warn other ships.

In the third para of the chapter, ‘take on’ is made use of in the meaning of ‘take sb on’ that is to engage sb; to employ sb

Quote from the text: “…we took on two crewmen — American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler — to help us…”