Here we have White Dolphin Chapters 11–20 Q&A
Q1. What might Kara have felt when Carl said, “She’s very sick. Don’t get your hopes up too much?”
Ans. [White Dolphin By Chapters 11–20 Q&A]
Kara must have felt utterly helpless, distressed, and heartbroken on hearing Carl’s words. She desperately wanted to save the albino dolphin calf, knowing that such dolphins are extremely rare and already endangered due to illegal fishing and human cruelty. The warning shattered her fragile hope.
Moreover, Kara’s emotional bond with dolphins is deeply rooted in her childhood. Her mother, a marine biologist, raised her on stories about dolphins and dedicated her life to protecting marine creatures. Watching her mother work tirelessly to save dolphins intensified Kara’s compassion for them.
Additionally, Kara understands the pain of separation all too well. Having lost her own mother, she cannot bear the thought of the mother dolphin losing her calf. This personal trauma makes Carl’s statement even more painful for her to accept.
Here we have White Dolphin Chapters 11–20 Q&A
Q2. “I hate it. And I hate it when they take her away from her mother like this. I feel as if I’m betraying her somehow.”
Elaborate on Kara’s words when Carl decided to move the calf to the tidal pool.**
Ans.
Kara’s words reflect her deep emotional turmoil and sense of guilt. She strongly relates the situation to her own loss, as she was separated from her mother at a crucial time in her life. Watching the dolphin calf being taken away reminds her of that painful separation.
Although Kara understands the medical necessity of isolating the calf for treatment, her heart rebels against the decision. The mother dolphin’s desperate attempts to stay close to her injured baby intensify Kara’s anguish. When the waves pull the mother away, and Kara is powerless to help, she feels as though she is betraying both the dolphin and her mother’s lifelong mission to protect marine life.
Q3. Why was the injured dolphin kept in isolation?
Ans.
The injured dolphin was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of infection. Due to her weak physical condition, the calf was vulnerable to diseases that could be transmitted either to humans or from other marine animals. Isolation ensured strict medical supervision and reduced the risk of contamination, allowing the calf a better chance of recovery.
Q4. Why was Kara annoyed when Jim informed Mr Andersen about the regatta race?
Ans.
Kara was annoyed because the regatta holds deep emotional significance for her family. Jim and his family had participated in it several times and had even won on previous occasions. To Kara, the regatta is not merely a competition but a cherished family legacy connected to Moana and her mother.
By sharing this personal history with an outsider, Kara feels that something intimate and sacred is being exposed. Her reaction also highlights her possessive nature and her fear of losing yet another piece of her family’s past.
Q5. Did you notice any change in Felix’s personality after the test ride? Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans.
Yes, there is a noticeable and positive change in Felix’s personality after the test ride. Initially withdrawn and resentful, Felix becomes cheerful, confident, and full of enthusiasm. Exploring marine life and witnessing rare seabed creatures fills him with excitement and wonder.
Furthermore, Felix proves his capabilities by swimming confidently and skillfully controlling the mainsail. This achievement boosts his self-esteem and challenges the limitations imposed by his disability. His radiant smile and his admission to his mother that he thoroughly enjoyed the ride clearly indicate his emotional growth and renewed self-belief.
Q6. Analyse the physical condition of the injured dolphin calf found by Kara. How does Gill Lewis use vivid detail to heighten the sense of urgency and danger?
Ans.
The injured dolphin calf is in a critical and life-threatening condition when Kara finds her in the cove. She has severe scratches and deep gashes across her body, most likely caused by a nylon fishing net. The wounds on her back are dark with blood, indicating prolonged suffering and infection. Kara notices that the calf’s eyelids are dry, tightly shut, and not blinking—a frightening sign of extreme dehydration and exhaustion.
Furthermore, the calf’s tongue is swollen and has turned a blue-black colour, suggesting oxygen deprivation. Most alarmingly, Kara cannot hear her breathing properly, which confirms that the dolphin is close to death. Through these graphic details, Gill Lewis creates a powerful sense of urgency and emotional intensity, compelling the reader to confront the brutal consequences of human negligence and overfishing.
Q7. Evaluate Kara’s response to the injured dolphin before the rescue team arrives. What does her behaviour reveal about her upbringing and character?
Ans.
Despite feeling frightened and overwhelmed, Kara displays remarkable courage, presence of mind, and compassion. Although rescuing a dolphin had always been a childhood dream, facing the reality leaves her momentarily stunned. However, she quickly regains control and draws upon the knowledge her mother had passed on to her.
Kara’s Response
Kara carefully lays seaweed over the calf’s body to keep her skin moist and prevent dehydration. She digs hollows in the sand beneath the fins to reduce pressure on the internal bones and gently removes the green fishing mesh tangled around the calf’s teeth. She also splashes seawater over the wounds to keep them clean and makes a conscious effort to keep the dolphin awake, knowing that sleep could mean death.
What does her behaviour reveal about her upbringing and character?
Her actions reflect her mother’s influence as a marine biologist and demonstrate Kara’s maturity, emotional resilience, and deep respect for marine life. In this moment, Kara does not act like a child but like a responsible guardian of the sea.
Q8. Examine Felix’s lack of interest in buying Moana. How does this decision highlight his desire for independence rather than limitation?
Ans.
Felix is not interested in buying Moana because he seeks independence, not dependency. While Moana is a traditional fishing boat, Felix wants a vessel that he can operate entirely on his own without assistance. His father, therefore, borrows a specially designed sailing dinghy through a cerebral palsy charity.
This dinghy is adapted for Paralympic-level sailing and allows Felix to control the sails and tiller using a central joystick operated with just one arm. His preference reveals that Felix does not define himself by his disability but by his capabilities. Rather than accepting limitations imposed by others, he actively chooses tools that empower him, reinforcing the novel’s message that true strength lies in self-belief and determination.
Q9. How does the rescue of the dolphin calf act as a turning point in Kara’s emotional journey in Chapters 11–20?
Ans.
The rescue of the dolphin calf marks a profound emotional turning point for Kara. Until this moment, Kara feels helpless, burdened by grief over her missing mother and the impending loss of Moana. Saving the calf allows her to transform that grief into purposeful action.
What Do Their Action Symbolize?
By protecting the dolphin, Kara symbolically continues her mother’s unfinished mission of marine conservation. The rescue restores her sense of agency and gives her renewed confidence that she can make a difference. This moment strengthens her belief that compassion and courage can overcome despair, reinforcing her emotional growth from a grieving child into a determined young activist.
Q10. Discuss how Gill Lewis uses the dolphin calf’s injury to reinforce the novel’s environmental message in these chapters.
Ans.
Gill Lewis uses the injured dolphin calf as a powerful symbol of environmental destruction caused by human greed and irresponsible fishing practices. The nylon net entangling the calf represents the unseen but devastating impact of modern fishing methods on innocent marine life.
By focusing on the calf’s suffering, the author personalises environmental damage, making it emotionally relatable rather than abstract. The scene forces readers to confront the real consequences of overfishing and neglect of marine ecosystems. Through Kara’s compassion and the calf’s vulnerability, Lewis reinforces the urgent need for conservation, responsibility, and ethical treatment of the natural world.
Hope you enjoyed White Dolphin Chapters 11–20 Q&A