Going Places 12

Going Places – Textbook Question Answers

Understanding the Text

Q1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
After school, Sophie and Jansie were most likely to work in the biscuit factory. Since they belonged to poor working-class families, their options were limited, and the factory was the common place for girls like them to get jobs.

Q2. What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?
Sophie dreamed of opening a boutique, becoming a fashion designer, or even an actress. Jansie discouraged her because their background and financial condition made these dreams impossible. Jansie was practical and knew that they would have to work in a factory.

Q3. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Sophie wriggled because she had lied about meeting Danny Casey. She knew her father would get angry if he realized the truth. Her nervousness showed that she was scared of being caught and of her father’s strict, practical nature.

Q4. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Geoff does not fully believe Sophie’s story. He is doubtful but does not openly question her. He knows Sophie often daydreams and makes up stories, so he remains silent and listens, but his disbelief is clear from his expression.

Q5. Does her father believe her story?
No, Sophie’s father does not believe her story. He is a practical man and knows that famous footballers like Danny Casey would not meet ordinary girls like Sophie. He even scolds her for telling such silly and unrealistic tales.

Q6. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
Sophie tells Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey and imagines that he would take her to places beyond their locality. She sees Geoff as a link to the outside world and wants to share her dreams and adventures with him.

Q7. Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
The only real occasion when Sophie saw Danny Casey was at a football match, when she went with her family to watch him play. Apart from that, all her stories of meeting him were only her own imagination and fantasies.

1. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
 Sophie’s father is a hardworking, middle-class man. He is strict, realistic, and does not support Sophie’s daydreams. He enjoys small things like watching football after work. Though rough in nature, he cares for his family and wants them to remain practical in life.

2. Why does Jansie discourage her to have such dreams?

Jansie discourages Sophie because she knows their poor background. She is sensible and understands that Sophie’s dreams are unrealistic and will only bring disappointment. Jansie wants Sophie to focus on reality and accept their life instead of living in imagination.

3. What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
 The family lives in a small untidy house. Sophie’s father has a low-paying job, her brother Geoff works as a mechanic apprentice, and Sophie expects to join a biscuit factory. These signs clearly show they belong to a struggling, working-class family.

4. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolize?
 Sophie liked Geoff because he was quiet and mysterious. He went out into the world, which fascinated her. To Sophie, Geoff symbolized freedom, adventure, and opportunities. She shared her dreams with him, hoping he would understand her desire for a better life.

5. Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
 Sophie is dreamy, ambitious, and always imagines a glamorous future. In contrast, Jansie is practical, sensible, and accepts their poor background. Sophie lives in imagination, while Jansie deals with reality. Their friendship shows the contrast between fantasy and practicality.

6. What impression do you form of Sophie on reading the story “Going Places”?
 Sophie appears as a teenage dreamer. She desires fame, money, and glamour but refuses to accept her real situation. Her imagination about meeting Danny Casey shows her immaturity. She is innocent but unrealistic, which brings her sadness and disappointment.

7. What socio-economic background does Sophie belong to?
 Sophie belongs to a poor, working-class family. Her father works hard, her brother is a mechanic apprentice, and she is expected to work in a biscuit factory. Their small house and lifestyle show financial struggles and limited opportunities in life.

8. Sophie’s dream and disappointments are all in her mind. Discuss.

Sophie’s dreams exist only in her imagination. She believes Danny Casey will meet her again, but in truth, he never promised. Her disappointments are also self-made because she builds unrealistic fantasies and later feels sad when they don’t come true.

9. It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasizing?
 Unrealistic dreams give teenagers hope, motivation, and creativity. They make life exciting and inspire ambition. However, such dreams also bring frustration, distraction, and disappointment when they don’t come true. Dreams are good, but they should be balanced with reality.

10. What was Sophie’s dream? How was it unrealistic?
 Sophie dreamt of meeting football star Danny Casey and even marrying him. This dream was unrealistic because Casey hardly knew her, and such a relationship was impossible. Her dream existed only in her imagination, not in real life.

11. How was Jansie different from Sophie? How were Sophie and Jansie different?
 Jansie was sensible, practical, and aware of their poor background. She accepted reality and discouraged Sophie’s dreams. Sophie, on the other hand, was a daydreamer who imagined a glamorous life. Their personalities clashed—one lived in reality, the other in imagination.

12. Differentiate between Sophie and Jansie’s attitude towards life.
 Sophie’s attitude was dreamy and ambitious. She longed for fame, money, and glamour, far beyond her reach. Jansie’s attitude was practical and mature. She understood their limited means and believed in living within reality. Their contrasting views show imagination versus practicality.

13. Attempt a character sketch of Sophie in your own words.
 Sophie is a teenage girl full of dreams and fantasies. She desires a glamorous future and imagines meeting celebrities. However, she belongs to a poor family, and her dreams are unrealistic. She is imaginative but immature, and her daydreaming causes disappointment.

14. How is Sophie a daydreamer?
 Sophie constantly imagines things beyond her reach. She dreams of being rich, famous, and meeting football star Danny Casey. Instead of accepting reality, she builds castles in the air. Her habit of imagining unreal situations clearly shows she is a daydreamer.

15. How is Sophie’s father a good guardian?
 Sophie’s father is strict, practical, and protective. He does not encourage her foolish fantasies and keeps her grounded in reality. Though tough, he works hard to support the family. His guidance shows that he wants the best for his children.