Class 12 English Lesson 8 Going Places

Intext-Questions – Think as you read

(Page 79)

Q 1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?

Ans: The two girls, Sophie and Jansie, were most likely to find work at the biscuit factory after school. Jansie mentions this several times, indicating that it was a practical and common option for girls like them.

Q.2 What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?

Ans: Sophie was dreaming of having a boutique, becoming a manager, or even an actress or fashion designer. She believed she could achieve these goals, imagining herself successful and admired. Jansie, however, discourages Sophie from these dreams because they are unrealistic and impractical. She knows the harsh reality of their financial situation and that their only likely job opportunity would be at the factory. She worries that Sophie’s dreams are too far-fetched.

(Page 81)

Q 1. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?

Ans: Sophie wriggled because she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. She was afraid that her father would not believe her story about meeting Danny Casey and would make fun of her, as he had done before.

Q 2. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?

Ans: No, Geoff does not believe Sophie’s story. He is sceptical and mocks her for her wild imagination, thinking it’s an unlikely event. He does not take her seriously, even though he repeats her story to their father.

Q 3. Does her father believe her story?

Ans: No, her father does not believe Sophie’s story. He dismisses it as another of her wild stories and does not take her seriously, showing his usual scepticism and lack of faith in her claims.

Q 4. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?

Ans: Sophie imagines herself being included in Geoff’s life in the future. She fantasizes about riding behind him on his motorcycle, wearing a yellow dress with a cape, and dreams of having an adventurous life with him, even though he doesn’t share her excitement.

Q 5. Which country did Danny Casey play for?

Ans: Danny Casey played for Ireland. He was described as an Irish football prodigy, and Sophie is very proud of him, especially after he scored a goal during a match for his team.

(Page 85)

Q 1. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?

Ans: Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story because she felt it was something special and personal between her and Danny. She feared Jansie would spread the story and it would become public gossip. Sophie also wanted to keep the fantasy intact without anyone doubting or making fun of her.

Q 2: Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?

Ans: No, Sophie did not actually meet Danny Casey. Her meeting with him was purely a fantasy. She imagined the entire encounter, believing she had spoken to him and even arranged to meet again. However, in reality, it never happened.

Q 3: Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?

Ans: The only time Sophie saw Danny Casey in person was during a football match. She watched him play for his team, United, where he scored a goal. Sophie was proud of him and felt connected to him through her fantasy of having met him earlier.

Textbook Exercise Q&A – Going Places

Understanding the text

Q 1. Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?

Ans: Sophie and Jansie: Differences between them:

Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends, but they had different outlooks on life. Sophie was dreamy and full of fantasies, imagining a better life through her encounter with Danny Casey. She had big ambitions and loved to dream of an exciting future. In contrast, Jansie was more practical and grounded. She discouraged Sophie’s dreams, saying that it was unlikely that Sophie’s fantasy would come true and emphasizing the realities of their lives. Jansie’s more realistic approach contrasted with Sophie’s hope for a brighter future.

Q 2. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?

Ans: Character and temperament of Sophie’s father Sophie’s father was a hardworking, practical man who seemed uninterested in Sophie’s dreams. His demeanor was often gruff and he showed disdain for Sophie’s fantasies, believing them to be unrealistic. He was grumpy and tired after a long day’s work, and didn’t share his daughter’s idealism. However, he was also somewhat apathetic, not really engaging deeply with his children or their emotions. His main focus seemed to be on providing for his family and enjoying his time at the pub.

Q 3: Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?

Ans: Sophie liked her brother Geoff more than any other person because he symbolized the world beyond her. He was mature, independent, and had a life that seemed exciting and far away from the mundane life Sophie knew. Sophie was jealous of his silence and the mystery around him, thinking that he was part of a world full of adventure and possibilities. Geoff’s independence and maturity made him the embodiment of the freedom Sophie longed for, and she wished to be part of his life.

Q 4. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?

Ans: Sophie’s socio-economic background and indicators of her family’s financial status Sophie came from a working-class background. The indicators of her family’s financial status include the cramped and messy home, with dirty washing piled up and a father working hard without much luxury. Her family could not afford many luxuries, as seen in their humble living conditions. Sophie’s dreams of buying a boutique or having a more glamorous life highlight the gap between her fantasy world and her real-life circumstances, showing that she was longing for something better than what her socio-economic reality offered.

Talking about the text

Discuss in pairs.

1. Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind.

Ans: Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are largely shaped by her imagination and fantasies. Throughout the story, she creates a world of excitement, where she believes in a future with great possibilities—like meeting Danny Casey, becoming famous, and experiencing a life beyond her current circumstances. However, these dreams are not based on reality. She imagines meeting Danny Casey in the arcade and even believes he will come to meet her again, which doesn’t happen. Her disappointments stem from the gap between her dreams and her real-life experiences.

While her dreams give her a sense of hope, the story shows that these fantasies often lead to disappointment because they are not grounded in the real world. For instance, when she waits for Danny Casey at the canal, she is left feeling sad and despondent when he doesn’t show up. This illustrates how Sophie’s dreams create an emotional burden for her, making her feel isolated and misunderstood, particularly when others, like Geoff and her father, don’t believe her stories.

In the end, Sophie’s dreams are a form of escape from her daily life, but they lead her to disappointment when faced with the reality that not all of her fantasies will come true.

2. It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasising?

Ans: Benefits of Fantasising:

Creativity and Imagination: Fantasising helps teenagers develop creativity. It allows them to imagine possibilities beyond their current reality, sparking new ideas and interests.
Hope and Motivation: Dreams provide teenagers with a sense of hope and motivation. They can be inspired to work hard toward a better future by envisioning success or fulfilment.
Escape from Reality: Fantasy offers a safe escape from stressful or difficult situations, helping teenagers cope with emotions like anxiety, fear, or low self-esteem.
Self-Discovery: Dreams can help teenagers explore their personal desires, interests, and aspirations, which may eventually guide them toward setting goals and finding their true passions.

Disadvantages of Fantasising:

Disappointment and Frustration: If teenagers invest too much in unrealistic dreams, they may face disappointment when these fantasies don’t materialize, leading to sadness and frustration.
Detachment from Reality: Excessive fantasising may cause teenagers to ignore practical steps to achieve their goals. This can hinder their growth and prevent them from taking real action.
Unrealistic Expectations: When teenagers focus too much on dreams without considering challenges, they may set themselves up for failure by having unrealistic expectations.
Isolation: Sometimes, teenagers who live too much in their fantasy world may feel isolated from others who are more grounded in reality, leading to a sense of disconnection.

In conclusion, while fantasising can have positive effects by boosting creativity and providing hope, it can also lead to disappointment and detachment from real-world responsibilities if not balanced properly.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
“Or an actress, Now there’s real money in that. Yes, and I could have the boutique on the side. Actresses don’t work full time, do they? Anyway, that or a fashion designer. You know something a bit sophisticated.” And she turned in through the open street door, leaving Jansie standing in the rain. “If I ever come into money, I’ll buy a boutique.”
“Ha, if you ever come into money… if you ever come into money you’ll buy us a blessed decent house to live in, thank you very much.” Sophie’s father was scooping shepherd’s pie into his mouth as hard as he could go, his plump face still grimy and sweat-marked from the day.
“She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?” said little Derek, hanging on the back of his father’s chair. Their mother sighed.,
Questions:
(i) Sophie wants to become an actress to:
(a) become famous
(b) to earn money
(c) to support her father
(d) to compete with Jansie
(ii) Jansie wanted Sophie to spend her money on:
(a) her marriage
(b) her career
(c) to open a boutique
(d) buying a house
(iii) Sophie is daydreaming about ________.
(iv) The phrase “money grows on trees” indicates that Sophie _______.
(v) Sophie’s mother’s sigh is one of:
(a) regret
(b) delight
(c) relief
(d) helplessness
(vi) From the extract, Jansie comes across as a _______ person.
(a) practical
(b) dominating
(c) immature
(d) starstruck
Answers:
(i) (b) to earn money
(ii) (c) to open a boutique
(iii) Sophie is daydreaming about becoming an actress or a fashion designer and owning a boutique, while believing that actresses don’t work full time.
(iv) The phrase “money grows on trees” is used to indicate that Sophie has unrealistic expectations about money and doesn’t understand the value of hard work and financial responsibility. It suggests that Sophie thinks money is easy to come by and that she can have whatever she wants without putting in the effort to earn it.
(v) (d) helplessness
(vi) (a) practical

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to watch United. Sophie and her father and little Derek went down near the goal—Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up. United won two-nil and Casey drove in the second goal, a blend of innocence and Irish genius, going around the two big defenders on the edge of the penalty area, with her father screaming for him to pass, and beating the hesitant goalkeeper from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. Afterwards Geoff was ecstatic.”,[CBSE Question Bank]
Questions:
(a) Complete the given statement.
Their visit to the match was like a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ refers to _________________.
(b) Assertion and Reason Question:
Assertion: “Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up.”
Reason 1: Geoff was not very close to his family and lived in his own world.
Reason 2: Geoff was rude and indifferent towards everyone around him and didn’t care about anyone at all.
(i) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both can be inferred from the assertion.
(ii) Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion.
(iii) Reason 1 cannot be inferred but Reason 2 can be inferred.
(iv) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both cannot be inferred.
(c) ‘Sophie glowed with pride.’ What was the reason for her ‘pride’?
(d) Choose the option listing the situation in which one would be ‘ecstatic’.
Scenario 1: Going to an old age home and listening to them share stories from the past.
Scenario 2: Being seated next to your favourite pop singer during a short flight.
Scenario 3: Going to a dog show and losing your pet there.
Scenario 4: Coming home and finding that there are 11 messages from your Principal in your email inbox.
(i) Scenario 1
(ii) Scenario 2
(iii) Scenario 3
(iv) Scenario 4
(e) Who was ‘a blend of innocence and Irish genius’?
(f) “Beating the goalkeeper from a hundred yards.” Who did this and why?
(i) Sophie’s father did this when the goalkeeper was trying to block Danny.
(ii) Sophie did this when the goalkeeper was trying to block Danny.
(iii) Geoff did this when the goalkeeper was trying to block Danny.
(iv) Jansie did this when the goalkeeper was trying to block Danny.
Answers:
(a) Their visit to the match was like a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ because it was a regular, almost ritual-like activity, filled with devotion and excitement.
(b) (ii) Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the assertion.
(c) Sophie glowed with pride because she felt a strong sense of admiration for Danny Casey and was thrilled by his impressive goal, which made her feel a personal connection to his success.
(d) (ii) Scenario 2
(e) Danny Casey was ‘a blend of innocence and Irish genius.’
(f) (i) Sophie’s father did this when the goalkeeper was trying to block Danny.
Extract 3:
“She climbed the crumbling steps to their house wondering if Geoff had guessed her secret. Perhaps he’d look over his shoulder when she entered, the hint of a smile on his face. And when he spoke it would be just as though it were something private between them. Something nobody else knew.”
Questions:
Why does Sophie wonder if Geoff has “guessed her secret”? What does this reveal about her relationship with him?
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
Geoff’s possible reaction of a “hint of a smile” shows that he may be ___ (amused / indifferent / embarrassed) by Sophie’s story.
Complete the following sentence:
Sophie’s hope that Geoff would treat her “secret” as something private shows her desire for ___.
How does this extract reflect Sophie’s idealization of her brother Geoff?
Identify the textual evidence in this passage that hints at Sophie’s need for escapism from her real life.
What does Sophie’s imagination about her brother’s reaction suggest about her own personality and dreams?
Answers:
Sophie wonders if Geoff has “guessed her secret” because she desires a close, almost conspiratorial bond with him, where he knows and values her dreams. This shows that she looks up to Geoff and craves his approval and involvement in her fantasy life, hoping he will understand her imaginative nature.
Geoff’s possible reaction of a “hint of a smile” shows that he may be amused by Sophie’s story.
Explanation: The “hint of a smile” implies that Geoff might find her story fanciful and entertaining, even if he doesn’t fully believe it.
Sophie’s hope that Geoff would treat her “secret” as something private shows her desire for a special connection and acknowledgment from him.
Explanation: She wants to feel that her dreams are important and that her brother shares a unique understanding of her inner world.
Sophie imagines that Geoff will treat her secret with a sense of mystery and exclusivity, showing she sees him as someone she can confide in and who might understand her dreams better than others. This idealization reflects her belief that Geoff is more accepting and understanding, unlike her other family members.
The phrases “guessed her secret” and “something nobody else knew” hint at Sophie’s need for escapism. She is creating a private fantasy in which her life is more exciting and filled with secrets, highlighting her desire to escape the mundane reality of her life.
Sophie’s imagination about Geoff’s reaction suggests that she is a dreamer who craves attention and approval, especially from those she admires. She has a romanticized view of life, often blurring reality with fantasy, and is eager to believe in a more glamorous version of her life.
Extract 4:
“‘One day,’ Sophie said, ‘I’ll have a boutique. I’ll have the most amazing shop this city’s ever seen.’ ‘You know nothing about boutiques,’ said Jansie firmly. ‘There’s no harm in dreaming,’ said Sophie. ‘I’ll be like Mary Quant,’ she said. Jansie sniffed. ‘Those things cost a lot of money. You’d need to start saving now.’”
Questions:
What does Sophie’s ambition to open a boutique reveal about her personality?
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
Jansie’s response to Sophie’s dream shows her ___ (support / scepticism / amusement).
Complete the following sentence:
By wanting to be “like Mary Quant,” Sophie demonstrates her admiration for ___ .
How does the difference in Sophie and Jansie’s views on dreams and ambition reflect their contrasting personalities?
Explain why Jansie might be discouraging Sophie’s dream in this passage.
What does Sophie’s statement, “There’s no harm in dreaming,” reveal about her outlook on life?
Answers:
Sophie’s ambition to open a boutique reveals her imaginative, ambitious, and somewhat unrealistic personality. She dreams of success and a glamorous life, aspiring to be someone important and admired. This shows that she is willing to dream big, even if her ideas are not grounded in practical reality.
Jansie’s response to Sophie’s dream shows her scepticism.
Explanation: Jansie’s firm and practical response, pointing out the costs involved, suggests she doubts Sophie’s ability to achieve her dream.
By wanting to be “like Mary Quant,” Sophie demonstrates her admiration for fashionable and successful personalities.
Explanation: Mary Quant was a famous fashion designer, and Sophie’s reference to her shows her admiration for stylish, successful individuals in the fashion industry.
The difference in their views shows that Sophie is a dreamer, inclined to aim for glamorous, unrealistic goals without much concern for practicalities, while Jansie is realistic and grounded, focusing on practical limitations like money and experience. Sophie’s head is in the clouds, while Jansie’s feet are firmly on the ground.
Jansie might be discouraging Sophie’s dream because she understands the financial and practical challenges that Sophie would face in opening a boutique. As someone more realistic, Jansie likely wants Sophie to avoid disappointment by not setting herself up for an unachievable goal, given their economic background.
Sophie’s statement shows that she believes in the freedom to dream and sees value in imagining a better future, even if it’s unrealistic. This reflects her optimistic and hopeful outlook, where she believes that dreaming, even without concrete plans, brings joy and possibility to her life.
Extract 5:
“When Geoff told their father that Sophie had met Danny Casey, he turned to look at her with expressionless eyes. He said, ‘This child’s going to talk herself into a load of trouble, one of these days,’ and left the room. Sophie watched him go, a tightening in her throat.”
Questions:
What does Sophie’s father’s reaction to her story about Danny Casey suggest about his opinion of her?
Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.
The phrase “expressionless eyes” indicates that Sophie’s father felt ___ (disappointed / indifferent / sympathetic).
Complete the following sentence:
Sophie’s reaction of “a tightening in her throat” implies that she feels ___.
What does the father’s warning indicate about his understanding of Sophie’s personality?
Why might Sophie feel a “tightening in her throat” after her father’s reaction?
How does this exchange highlight the difference in how Sophie and her family members view her dreams and fantasies?
Answers:
Sophie’s father’s reaction suggests that he doesn’t take her stories seriously and views her as someone prone to exaggeration or fabrication. He believes that her unrealistic fantasies could lead her into trouble, indicating a lack of trust in her sense of reality.
The phrase “expressionless eyes” indicates that Sophie’s father felt indifferent.
Explanation: His expressionless look suggests a lack of surprise or excitement, implying he neither believes her story nor considers it worth a strong reaction.
Sophie’s reaction of “a tightening in her throat” implies that she feels hurt or anxious.
Explanation: The physical reaction suggests that her father’s dismissive attitude has affected her emotionally, possibly making her feel misunderstood or criticized.
The father’s warning shows that he understands Sophie’s tendency to get carried away with her imagination. He knows she often invents stories and is worried that her unrealistic dreams could lead her into problems or disappointments.
Sophie likely feels a “tightening in her throat” because her father’s indifferent and dismissive reaction hurt her feelings. She may have hoped for a different response or validation, but instead, his reaction reminded her of the gap between her dreams and her family’s lack of belief in them.
This exchange shows that Sophie’s family, especially her father, sees her dreams as unrealistic and immature, while Sophie herself is deeply invested in them. Her family doesn’t share or support her fantasies and treats them as potential problems rather than ambitions, which contrasts with Sophie’s enthusiastic belief in her imaginative world.
Extract 6:
“‘I’ll be a manager, like Mary Quant,’ Sophie declared. ‘Or I’ll have my own boutique. I’ll run it with money from a business venture.’ ‘What business venture?’ her father scoffed, not looking up from the newspaper. ‘Just something I’ll think of,’ Sophie said casually, unwilling to let her dream be dismissed so easily.”
Questions:
What is suggested by Sophie’s father’s reaction to her dream?
A. He is impressed by her ambition.
B. He doubts her ability to succeed.
C. He is excited about her business idea.
D. He supports her aspirations wholeheartedly.
By mentioning Mary Quant, Sophie reveals her admiration for ___ in the fashion world.
How does Sophie’s casual tone in saying “Just something I’ll think of” demonstrate her approach to dreams and ambitions?
Sophie’s father encourages her dream of having a boutique. (True/False)
(Provide a reason for your answer)
In what way does the contrast between Sophie’s ambitious statement and her father’s dismissive reaction highlight the theme of conflict between dreams and reality?
Do you think Sophie’s attitude towards her dream is realistic? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the extract.
Answers:
B. He doubts her ability to succeed.
Explanation: Sophie’s father’s scoffing response shows skepticism and implies he doesn’t take her dreams seriously.
By mentioning Mary Quant, Sophie reveals her admiration for entrepreneurial success in the fashion world.
Explanation: Mary Quant was a famous fashion designer and entrepreneur, and Sophie’s mention of her reflects her aspiration to succeed in fashion similarly.
Sophie’s casual tone in saying “Just something I’ll think of” demonstrates her lack of a concrete plan and suggests that her dreams are more wishful thinking than serious aspirations. She seems to imagine success without fully understanding the practical steps needed.
False.
Reason: Sophie’s father scoffs at her idea, indicating that he does not take her ambition seriously and does not encourage it.
The contrast between Sophie’s ambitious statement and her father’s dismissive reaction highlights the theme of conflict between dreams and reality. Sophie’s father represents a more grounded perspective, possibly shaped by his own life experiences, while Sophie clings to her dreams despite having no concrete plan. This difference emphasizes the generational and experiential gap in how they view her aspirations.
Sophie’s attitude towards her dream is not very realistic because she lacks a specific plan and has no clear understanding of the challenges involved. She talks about having a boutique or managing like Mary Quant but doesn’t have a business idea or the means to start one. This shows she is more focused on the fantasy of success than the reality of achieving it.
Short answer questions

Q1 Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams?
Ans. Jansie and Sophie both belonged to low middle class families. They did not have any means to fulfil their ambitions and dreams Jansie had calmly accepted her fate. But Sophie was a very ambitious girl. She had very unrealistic dreams and fantasies. Jansie knew that her friend had to meet disappointment in the end. Therefore she discouraged Sophie from having dreams.
Q2 What did Sophie think of doing after her school?
Ans. Sophie was a highly ambitious girl. First she decided to open a boutique, then she thought of becoming a manager to start with. She also thought of becoming an actress.
Q3 Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection?
OR
Why did Sophie like her brother more than any other person?
Ans. Sophie liked her brother more than any other person. But he was very introverted. He would not tell any of his secrets. However he was the only person who listened to Sophie’s wild stares: Therefore. Sophie longed for her brother’s affection.
Q4 Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny?
Ans. Sophie thought if Jansie came to know about her meeting with Danny, she would tell everyone. Then thousands of people would come to her house and it would make her father very angry. She thought that her father could then possibly murder her.
Q5 Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the sports star Danny Casey?
Ans. Jansie knew her friend Sophie well. She knew that Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey was just her imagination. She wanted Sophie to be practical. She thought such thoughts would create troubles for Sophie Therefore she discouraged Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the sports-star Danny Casey.
Q6 It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams? What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasizing?
Ans. Teenage is considered the best period in a person’s life. In this age the person has maximum energy and he is free from every responsibility. But it is also the age when the person has dreams and fantasies. Every teenager has some role model. Also it would be beneficial for the person if he goes into the direction of his/her dreams diligently. But mere fantasising and dreaming bring nothing but disappointment.
Q7 Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing: Why did Sophie say so?
Ans Sophie told her brother, Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey She was sure that he would not tell anybody her secret. But on the other hand, Geoff told that secret to Jansie’s brother and Jansie asked Sophie about it Sophie became very angry with her brother and said, Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing.
Q8 How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Ans.Sophie’s father turned his head on his thick neck to look at her. His expression was one of disdain. Sophie told him that Danny Casey was going to buy a shop. At this her father muttered This is another of your wild stories. One of these days you’re going to talk yourself into a load of trouble” This shows that the old man knew his daughter very well.
Q9 What is Geoff’s profession? How is he different from his sister?
Ans. Geoff left his school three years ago Now he works as an apprentice mechanic. He has to travel to his work to the far end of the city. But he is very introverted. He is not a daydreamer like Sophie But he loves his sister very much so he listens to her wild stones patiently.
Q10 Who was Danny Casey? How can you say that the members of Sophie’s family were great fans of his?
Ans. Danny Casey was a young football player. He played for the United Sophie and the members of her family were a great fan of his Sophie even started dreaming to have a date with him. Her family went to see a football match in which Danny was playing.

Long Answer Questions
Q1 Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know she cannot realise. Comment.
OR
Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies.
Ans. Sophie belongs to a low middle class family. She has no means to gain name and fame. Therefore, she starts weaving in her mind the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all she thinks that she would open a fine boutique in the city When her friend Jansie tells her that it would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she says that she would become a manager to begin with. She does not realise that no one would make her a manager straight off.
Then she thinks of becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the beginning of a love affair with him. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other dreams are just a product of her imagination. She doesn’t know how to realise them.
Q2 Describe the bond between Geoff and Sophie in spite of differences in their temperament and thinking.
Ans. Geoff was Sophie’s elder brother. He was an apprentice mechanic and left his school three years ago. Unlike Sophie he was very introverted. Sophie was in fact jealous of his silence. But in spite of all this he loved his sister very much. Sophie would share all her secrets with her Geoff knew that most of the stories Sophie told him were just a product of her imagination.
But even then he listened to her very patiently. He knew that Sophie’s story of meeting with Danny Casey was not true. But even then he promised her that he would not let her secret out to anybody. However, be warned Sophie that Danny Casey was a famous player. He must have a lot of girlfriends. He knew that Danny Casey would not turn up next week to meet her. He tried to persuade Sophie against her craziness for Danny in fact Geoff was not only the elder brother of Sophie but also her friend and guide.
Q3 How different is Jansie from Sophie? Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast between the two friends, citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places”.
OR
Sophie and Jansie were class-mates. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
OR
Jansie is just as old as Sophie but she is very different from her. Bring out the contrast between the two friends citing relevant instances from the story, “Going Places”.
Ans. Sophie and Jansie are classmates and friends But they are poles apart as far as their character and temperament is concerned Jansie is a very down to earth girl. She knows that she belongs to a low middle class. She knows her limitations. She has accepted her fate that she has to work in a biscuit factory as a petty employee after her school education.
On one hand Sophie is an ambitious girl. She too belongs to a low middle class: But she has very unrealistic ambitions and dreams. First of all, she says that she will open a boutique, then she says she will become a manager. She also wants to become an actress In fact she doesn’t know what she wants to become. She weaves a fantasy around a famous football player: She imagines that he would come and meet her. As a result of her unrealistic dreams and fantasies she has to face disappointment.
Q4 Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a woman who lives in her dreams.
Ans. Sophie belongs to a low middle class family. She has no means to gain name and fame Therefore she starts weaving in her mind the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all, she thinks that she would open a fine boutique in the city. When her friend Jansie tells her that it would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she says that she would become a manager to begin with.
She does not realise that no one would make her a manager straight off. Then she thinks of becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the beginning of a love affair with them. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other dreams are just a product of her imagination In fact, Sophie is a woman who lives in her dreams. She doesn’t know how to realise her dreams.
Q5 Teachers always advise their students to dream big yet the same teachers in the classroom find fault with Sophie when she dreams. What is wrong with Sophie’s dreams?
Ans. It is always good to dream big. But the dreams should also be realistic. We can’t achieve great heights suddenly as if someone has turned a magical wand Sophie belongs to a low middle class family. She has no means to gain name and fame: Therefore, she starts weaving in her mind the unrealistic dreams and fantasies. First of all, she thinks that she would open a fine boutique in the city. When her friend Janse tells her that it would take a lot of money to open a boutique, she says that she would become a manager to begin with. She does not realise that no one would make her a manager straight off.
Then she thinks of becoming an actress. She takes a chance meeting with Danny Casey as the beginning of a love affair with him. She dreams of meeting with him. But this and her other dreams are just a product of ner imagination. She doesn’t know how to realise them. We should dream big but for that we should make constant efforts. Mere dreaming brings disappointment as it happens with Sophie.
Q6 Evaluate the two different perspectives to life that Jansie and Sophie represent.
Ans.Jansie and Sophie were distinct from one another. Sophie loved to daydream and use her imagination to create her own imaginary worlds. She showed a desire to rise above her working-class background and achieve refinement by following her dreams of being a fashion designer or actress.
In contrast to Sophie, Jansie was more grounded and sensible. She made unsuccessful attempts to bring Sophie back to reality. Jansie’s attempt to remind her buddy that they were designated for the biscuit factory and extravagant ambitions were out of character for their financial situation shows her maturity and sensibility.

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