NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 8 - Going Places
Comprehensive question and answer guide for exam preparation
Table of Contents
Going Places NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meanings from the context:
(i) incongruity
(ii) prodigy
(iii) chuffed
(iv) solitary elm
(v) arcade
(vi) amber glow
(vii) wharf
(viii) pangs of doubt
Answer:
(i) incongruity: Something that doesn't fit or match properly. Sophie was surprised by how delicate the bow looked compared to everything else.
(ii) prodigy: A person with exceptional talent, especially at a young age. Casey was called a young Irish prodigy because of his amazing football skills.
(iii) chuffed: Extremely pleased or delighted about something. Sophie thought Casey would be very happy.
(iv) solitary elm: A single, lonely elm tree standing by itself. There was one elm tree where couples used to meet.
(v) arcade: A covered walkway or passage with shops. Sophie claimed she met Casey in the shopping arcade.
(vi) amber glow: A warm, golden-yellow light. The table lamp created a beautiful amber-colored light on the bedroom wall.
(vii) wharf: A dock or pier where boats can load and unload. The path was lit only by lights from the wharf across the water.
(viii) pangs of doubt: Sharp, painful feelings of uncertainty. Sudden strong feelings of not being sure about something.
Going Places Think as you read (Page 79)
Question 1.
Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
Answer:
Sophie and Jansie would most likely end up working in the local biscuit factory after finishing school. This was the typical job available for girls from their working-class background.
Question 2.
What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?
Answer:
Sophie had big dreams for her future. She wanted to open her own boutique, or work as a manager until she saved enough money for the boutique. She also thought about becoming an actress or a fashion designer. Sophie was clearly a dreamer who loved to imagine grand possibilities.
Jansie was much more practical and realistic about their situation. She tried to bring Sophie back to reality by pointing out that opening a boutique would require a lot of money, which they didn't have. She knew they wouldn't immediately be made managers, and shop work didn't pay well either. Jansie understood their family's financial situation and knew these dreams were not achievable given their circumstances.
Going Places Think as you read (Page 81)
Question 1.
Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Answer:
Sophie felt uncomfortable and squirmed because she knew her father wouldn't believe her story about meeting Danny Casey. She had shared this secret only with her brother Geoff, expecting him to keep it private. When Geoff suddenly blurted it out to their father, Sophie was worried about facing her father's scorn and disbelief.
Question 2.
Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer:
At first, Geoff was skeptical and didn't believe Sophie's story. He told her it couldn't be true and questioned her about it. However, when Sophie described Danny's appearance - his green, gentle eyes and his height - Geoff seemed to be partially convinced. This is probably why he ended up telling their father about it, claiming it was true.
Question 3.
Does her father believe her story?
Answer:
No, Sophie's father completely dismissed her story. He looked at her with contempt and called it "another of her wild stories." He even warned her that one day her habit of making up stories would get her into serious trouble. Her father clearly saw this as just another fantasy from his daydreaming daughter.
Question 4.
How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
Answer:
Sophie was fascinated by Geoff's life as an apprentice mechanic who traveled to different parts of the city for work. She imagined all the exciting places he visited and the interesting people he must meet - places and people that were completely unknown to her.
In her fantasies, Sophie pictured herself riding behind Geoff on his motorcycle to these mysterious places. She imagined herself wearing a beautiful yellow dress with a flowing cape, while Geoff wore shiny new black leather. In her dreams, they would arrive at these places to the sound of applause, with the whole world rising to greet them. This showed how desperately Sophie wanted to escape her ordinary life and be part of something glamorous and exciting.
Question 5.
Which country did Danny Casey play for?
Answer:
Danny Casey was a football player who represented Ireland.
Going Places Think as you read (Page 85)
1. Why didn't Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
2. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
3. Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
Answer:
1. Sophie was worried about Jansie finding out because she knew Jansie was a gossip who couldn't keep secrets. If Jansie knew about the story, she would tell everyone in the neighborhood. Sophie was particularly afraid that the news would reach her father, which would cause big trouble for her. That's why she asked Geoff to keep it secret.
2. While Geoff seemed to partially believe her and her father completely dismissed it, the story suggests that Sophie's meeting with Danny Casey was real, at least the first time. However, much of what followed was likely her imagination and wishful thinking.
3. The only real occasion when Sophie actually saw Danny Casey was during the football match when she went with her family to watch their team United play. There, she was just one of many spectators in the crowd, watching him play from a distance. The word "pictured" used later in the story suggests she was imagining their second meeting rather than it actually happening.
Going Places Understanding the text
Question 1.
Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
Answer:
Although Sophie and Jansie were friends from similar working-class families, they had very different personalities and approaches to life.
Sophie was a dreamer with big ambitions. She constantly fantasized about opening a boutique, becoming a manager, or even being an actress or fashion designer. She had a restless, imaginative mind that was always changing from one dream to another. Sophie seemed to live more in her fantasy world than in reality.
Jansie, on the other hand, was practical and realistic. She understood their family's financial limitations and knew that dreams like opening a boutique required money they didn't have. She tried to bring Sophie down to earth by pointing out the practical difficulties - that it takes time to save money, that they wouldn't be made managers immediately, and that shop work doesn't pay well. Jansie accepted that they would likely end up working in the biscuit factory, while Sophie refused to accept this reality.
Question 2.
How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie's father?
Answer:
Sophie's father comes across as a typical working-class man who is practical, somewhat rough around the edges, but also a sports enthusiast. He has a plump face and seems to enjoy simple pleasures like celebrating his team's victories at the pub.
He's quite dismissive of Sophie's fantasies and doesn't believe her stories about meeting Danny Casey. When she tells such stories, he looks at her with contempt and warns her that making up wild stories will get her into trouble someday. He seems to have little patience for what he sees as Sophie's silly daydreaming.
Sophie appears to be somewhat afraid of her father. She worries about "a right old row" if he finds out about her stories, and she describes him as "a misery." This suggests he can be quite stern and perhaps short-tempered with his family.
Question 3.
Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Answer:
Sophie had a special fondness for her older brother Geoff, who worked as an apprentice mechanic. What made Geoff special to Sophie was his quiet, mysterious nature - he spoke very little, which made her curious about his world.
Since Geoff traveled to different parts of the city for work, Sophie imagined that he visited exciting, exotic places and met interesting people that she knew nothing about. His silence made these places seem even more mysterious and appealing to her.
For Sophie, Geoff represented escape and adventure. He symbolized a gateway to the wider world that she longed to explore. She hoped that someday he might take her along to these unknown places. In her mind, Geoff was her connection to a life beyond her dull, confined existence. This is why she chose to confide in him about meeting Danny Casey - she saw him as someone who might understand her dreams of a more exciting life.
Question 4.
What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family's financial status?
Answer:
Sophie came from a working-class, financially struggling family. Several details in the story clearly indicate their poor economic condition.
Their living situation was quite modest - they lived in a small, cramped house with steamy conditions from cooking, and dirty washing piled up in corners. When Sophie dreams of having money for a boutique, her father sarcastically suggests she should first buy them a decent house to live in, showing that their current housing was inadequate.
Employment-wise, Sophie and Jansie were destined for factory work after school, specifically at the biscuit factory. Geoff worked as an apprentice mechanic and had to travel far across the city for work. Their father used a bicycle for transportation, which we see when Sophie spots it outside the pub.
Their entertainment was limited to watching United football matches, which seemed to be their main social activity. All these details paint a picture of a family struggling financially, with limited opportunities and living in rather poor conditions.
Going Places Talking about the text
Question 1.
Sophie's dreams and disappointments are all in her mind.
Answer:
This statement is absolutely true. Sophie lives in a world created by her own imagination because reality is too harsh for her to accept.
Coming from a poor family, Sophie dreams of things that are completely out of her reach - owning a boutique, becoming a manager, being an actress, or dating a famous footballer like Danny Casey. When practical Jansie tries to bring her back to reality by explaining how much money a boutique would cost, Sophie simply changes her dream to becoming an actress instead.
Her social world is limited to school and home, so she creates fantasies about meeting celebrities and being part of a glamorous life. Even when she waits for Danny Casey at the park and he doesn't show up, the disappointment exists only in her mind because the date was never real in the first place.
Sophie uses her imagination to escape from the reality of her limited circumstances. Her dreams give her hope and excitement, while her disappointments come from expecting these fantasies to come true in real life.
Question 2.
It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams? What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasying?
Answer:
Yes, it's completely natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. During adolescence, young people often find reality difficult to accept and use dreams to cope with challenges and limitations in their lives.
Benefits of dreaming: Dreams can be positive when they inspire teenagers to work hard toward their goals. Having big dreams can motivate students to study harder, develop their talents, and push beyond their current circumstances. Dreams can provide hope during difficult times and help young people envision a better future for themselves.
Disadvantages of excessive fantasizing: However, when teenagers like Sophie spend too much time in fantasy worlds instead of facing reality, it becomes harmful. Unrealistic dreams can prevent them from making practical plans for their future. Instead of working toward achievable goals, they might waste precious time daydreaming about impossible things.
The key is finding balance. Teenagers should be encouraged to dream big but also taught to distinguish between inspiration and escapism. They need to learn how to turn their dreams into realistic goals with practical steps to achieve them.
Going Places Working with words
Notice the following expressions. The highlighted words are not used in a literal sense. Explain what they mean.
(i) Words had to be prized out of him like stones out of a ground.
(ii) Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.
(iii) If he keeps his head on his shoulders.
(iv) On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to the United.
(v) She saw…. him ghost past the lumbering defenders.
Answer:
(i) Words had to be prized out of him like stones out of a ground: This means Geoff was very quiet and rarely spoke. Getting him to talk required great effort, just like digging stones out of hard ground requires a lot of work.
(ii) Sophie felt a tightening in her throat: Sophie felt nervous, anxious, and uncomfortable. This physical sensation often happens when someone is worried or stressed about something.
(iii) If he keeps his head on his shoulders: This means if Danny Casey stays calm, thinks clearly, and plays sensibly using his intelligence and common sense.
(iv) On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to the United: Going to watch United play football was like a religious ritual for them. They attended these matches with the same dedication and devotion that people show when going on a spiritual journey.
(v) She saw him ghost past the lumbering defenders: Danny Casey moved past the opposing players like a ghost - quickly, smoothly, and almost invisibly. The defenders were moving slowly and clumsily, making it easy for him to get past them.
Going Places Noticing form
Notice the highlighted words in the following sentences:
1. When I leave, Sophie said, coming home from school, I'm going to have a boutique.
2. Jansie, linking arms with her along the street, looked doubtful.
3. I'll find it, Sophie said, staring far down the street.
4. Jansie, knowing they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory, became melancholy.
5. And she turned in through the open street door leaving Jansie standing in the rain.
Pick out five other sentences from the story in which present participles are used in this sense.
Answer:
Present participles (words ending in -ing) are used here to show two actions happening at the same time. Instead of writing two separate sentences, we can combine the information using present participles.
Five other examples from the story:
(i) He was kneeling on the floor in the next room tinkering with a part of his motorcycle over some newspaper spread on the carpet.
(ii) She was conscious of a vast world out there waiting for her and she knew instinctively that she would feel as at home there as in the city.
(iii) There I was looking at the clothes in Royce's window when someone came and stood beside me.
(iv) But the last thing I need is queues of people round our house asking him, What's all this about Danny Casey?
(v) Sophie sat in her room thinking about her encounter with the famous footballer.
Going Places Thinking about language
Notice these words in the story:
- chuffed, meaning delighted or very pleased
- nosey, meaning inquisitive
- cawky, meaning awkward, ungainly.
These are words that are used in an informal way in colloquial speech.
Make a list of ten other words of this kind.
Answer:
Ten other informal, colloquial words from the story:
(i) Bloke (man)
(ii) Daft (silly, foolish)
(iii) Dodgy (suspicious, unreliable)
(iv) Gutted (very disappointed)
(v) Knackered (very tired)
(vi) Mad (crazy, enthusiastic)
(vii) Nutter (crazy person)
(viii) Posh (fancy, upper-class)
(ix) Skint (having no money)
(x) Wonky (unsteady, not straight)
Going Places Writing
Think of a person who you would like to have as your role model.
Write down the points to be discussed or questions to be asked, if you were asked to interview that person on a Television show.
Answer:
This is a creative writing exercise where you should choose someone you admire and prepare interview questions for them.
Here's how you can approach this task:
Choose your role model: This could be a successful businessperson, an inspiring teacher, an honest political leader, a talented sportsperson, a dedicated social worker, or anyone whose qualities you admire.
Prepare thoughtful questions about:
- Their journey to success and challenges they faced
- What motivates them and keeps them going
- Their philosophy of life and core values
- Advice they would give to young people
- Their future goals and dreams
- How they balance their personal and professional life
- What they consider their greatest achievement
Going Places Things to do
Question 1.
Look for other stories or movies where this theme of hero worship and fantasisying about film or sports icons finds a place.
Answer:
There are many stories and movies that explore the theme of young people fantasizing about celebrities and getting lost in hero worship.
A classic example is the Hindi film "Guddi" where a young girl becomes obsessed with movie star Dharmendra. Her grandfather eventually arranges for her to visit film sets and meet the actor, which helps her understand the difference between the glamorous screen image and reality. This experience helps her overcome her teenage infatuation.
Other examples include movies where fans imagine romantic relationships with celebrities, stories about teenagers who dream of becoming famous themselves, or tales of young people who build their entire identity around following a particular sports team or movie star. These stories often show how hero worship can become unhealthy when it prevents people from living their own lives.
Going Places Extra Questions and Answers
Going Places Extra Questions Short Answer Type
Question 1:
Why did Sophie long for her brother's affection?
Answer:
Sophie felt closest to Geoff because he was the only person who listened to her fantasies without making fun of her. While other family members and even her friend Jansie laughed at her wild stories, Geoff was patient and seemed to take her seriously. This made Sophie treasure his company and seek his understanding.
Question 2:
Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey?
Answer:
Danny Casey represents everything Sophie dreams of but cannot have. He's young, tall, handsome, successful, and famous. For a girl trapped in a working-class life with limited opportunities, Danny symbolizes glamour, success, and escape from her ordinary world. Like many teenagers, Sophie is drawn to what seems unattainable and exciting.
Question 3:
How are Jansie and Sophie different from each other?
Answer:
The main difference between them is their approach to life. Sophie is a dreamer who refuses to accept her limitations and constantly fantasizes about a glamorous future - becoming an actress, owning a boutique, or meeting celebrities. Jansie, however, is realistic and practical. She accepts that given their background, they'll likely end up as factory workers, and she tries to keep Sophie grounded in reality.
Question 4:
Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff's silence?
Answer:
Sophie was envious of Geoff's quiet nature because it made his life seem mysterious and exciting. She imagined that his silence hid wonderful secrets about the places he visited and people he met through his work. His private world fascinated her, and she wished she could be part of it. His silence represented all the adventure and excitement missing from her own life.
Question 5:
Why didn't Sophie want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny?
Answer:
Sophie knew that Jansie was a gossip who couldn't keep secrets. If Jansie found out about Danny Casey, she would tell everyone in the neighborhood. Sophie was particularly worried that the news would reach her father, who would be angry with her for making up such stories. She wanted to keep it private to avoid getting into trouble at home.
Question 6:
Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
Answer:
The only real time Sophie saw Danny Casey was when she went with her family to watch United play football. She was just one of many spectators in the crowd, watching him play from a distance. This was the only genuine sighting - all other "meetings" were products of her imagination.
Question 7:
What thoughts came to Sophie's mind as she sat by the canal?
Answer:
While waiting by the canal, Sophie initially let her imagination run wild, picturing Danny Casey arriving and what they might say to each other. However, as time passed and he didn't show up, reality began to sink in. She realized that her family would never believe her story, and that even Geoff would be disappointed. The harsh truth of her fantasy started to become clear to her.
Going Places Extra Questions Long Answer Type
Question 1:
Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know she cannot realize. Comment.
Answer:
Sophie is a perfect example of a teenager who uses fantasy to escape from an unpleasant reality. Coming from a working-class family with limited opportunities, she creates an elaborate dream world where she's successful, glamorous, and important.
She imagines opening a boutique, becoming an actress, or dating a famous footballer, completely ignoring the practical obstacles. She doesn't have the money, education, or connections needed for such ambitious goals. Her family's financial situation means she'll likely work in a factory after school, but she refuses to accept this reality.
What makes her situation tragic is that she genuinely believes these fantasies are possible. She even waits by the canal for Danny Casey, showing how completely she's lost touch with what's realistic. Her dreams aren't just hopeful thinking - they've become her escape from a life she finds too limiting to bear.
Question 2:
How different is Jansie from Sophie?
Answer:
Jansie and Sophie represent two completely different approaches to dealing with difficult circumstances. While they're the same age and come from similar backgrounds, their personalities are opposite.
Sophie is an eternal optimist and dreamer. She refuses to accept limitations and constantly imagines herself in glamorous situations. She wants to transcend her working-class background and believes in possibilities that are clearly beyond her reach. Her approach to life is to escape into fantasy when reality becomes too harsh.
Jansie, however, is practical and mature beyond her years. She understands their family's financial situation and accepts that they'll likely work in the biscuit factory. When Sophie talks about opening a boutique, Jansie immediately points out the practical problems - the money required, the time needed to save. She tries to keep Sophie grounded and prevent her from building impossible expectations.
Jansie also can't keep secrets, while Sophie is more private about her fantasies. This shows that Jansie is more connected to her social world, while Sophie prefers her private dream world.
Question 3:
Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Answer:
Sophie's special affection for Geoff stems from several factors that make him different from the rest of her family. Unlike her practical parents who dismiss her dreams, or Jansie who tries to bring her back to reality, Geoff listens to her fantasies without judgment.
His job as an apprentice mechanic takes him to different parts of the city, which Sophie finds fascinating. Since he rarely talks about his work or the people he meets, Sophie's imagination fills in the gaps. She pictures him visiting exotic places and meeting interesting people, which makes his life seem mysterious and exciting compared to her confined existence.
For Sophie, Geoff represents escape and possibility. He symbolizes a bridge to the wider world she longs to explore. In her fantasies, he could take her away from her dull life to places where exciting things happen. He represents adventure, freedom, and the unknown world that exists beyond her limited experience.
Geoff also represents understanding and acceptance. When she shares her secret about meeting Danny Casey, she chooses Geoff because she believes he won't mock her like others might. This makes him her confidant and the person she trusts most with her dreams.
Going Places Extra Questions Value Based Type
Question 1:
Sophie lives in her fantasies. She hopes to make it big. You realize that the modern day youth are also like that. You decide to write an article about the need to dream and how can it prove to be harmful sometimes.
Answer:
Dreams: The Double-Edged Sword
Dreams are essential for human progress and personal growth. They inspire us to work harder, push boundaries, and achieve things that once seemed impossible. When we dream big, we open ourselves to possibilities and refuse to accept limitations.
However, there's a thin line between healthy dreaming and harmful fantasy. Modern youth, like Sophie, sometimes use dreams as an escape from reality rather than motivation to change it. When dreams become a substitute for action, they can be dangerous.
Harmful fantasizing prevents young people from making realistic plans for their future. Instead of working toward achievable goals, they waste time in imaginary worlds. This can lead to disappointment, depression, and a complete disconnect from reality.
The key is balance. Dream big, but also understand your current situation. Use dreams as inspiration to work harder, not as a way to avoid facing challenges. Remember that every great achievement started with a dream, but it was realized through hard work, planning, and perseverance.