NCERT Solutions
for Class 12 English Flamingo
Chapter 8 Going Places by A. R. Barton
Updated
Syllabus for 2024-2025 Exams
Q.1 Sophie and Jansie were classmates and
friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
Answer:
Sophie was a dreamer who constantly fantasized about a better future, imagining
herself as a successful fashion designer, actress, or boutique owner. She was
ambitious and often lost in her dreams, which were unrealistic given her
socio-economic background. In contrast, Jansie was practical and grounded. She
understood the limitations imposed by their circumstances and tried to keep
Sophie from indulging in her fantasies. Jansie accepted that they would both likely
end up working in the local biscuit factory after school, while Sophie
continued to dream of glamorous careers.
Q.2 How would you describe the character
and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Answer:
Sophie’s father is portrayed as a practical and hardworking man who is content
with his modest lifestyle. He appears gruff and dismissive of Sophie’s dreams,
often mocking her for thinking beyond their means. He is grounded in reality
and focused on providing for his family, and he finds Sophie’s wild stories and
aspirations amusing and frustrating. He represents the working-class man who
understands the importance of hard work and accepts the limitations of his
socio-economic status.
Q.3 Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff
more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Answer:
Sophie admired her brother Geoff because he was older, more experienced, and
more connected to the outside world. To her, Geoff symbolized freedom and
adventure, as he worked as an apprentice mechanic and traveled to different
parts of the city. She imagined that he had a life full of exciting experiences
that she was not a part of. Sophie longed to be included in Geoff’s world and
often fantasized about him taking her along on his adventures, which made him
seem mysterious and alluring to her.
Q.4 What socio-economic background did
Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
Answer:
Sophie belonged to a lower-middle-class working family. The indicators of her
family’s financial status include her father’s job as a laborer, her brother’s
work as an apprentice mechanic, and the expectation that she and Jansie would
soon work in a local biscuit factory. Her family lived in a small, modest
house, and there were references to financial constraints, such as Sophie’s
father scoffing at her dreams of owning a boutique, which required significant
money. The conversation around money and the family’s basic lifestyle indicate
their limited financial resources.
Q.5 Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know
about her story with Danny Casey?
Answer:
Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story with Danny Casey because she
knew Jansie was practical and would not believe her. Sophie also feared that
Jansie might spread the story around the neighborhood, which could lead to
embarrassment if others discovered that her story was fabricated. Additionally,
Sophie wanted to keep the fantasy of meeting Danny Casey special and secret,
especially because it was something personal and exciting for her, something
she didn’t want to share with someone who wouldn’t appreciate or understand it.
Q.6 Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
Answer:
No, Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. The story of her meeting him in the
arcade was a figment of her imagination. Sophie often indulged in daydreams and
fantasies, and her encounter with Danny Casey was one such fantasy. She longed
for excitement and glamour in her life, and her fictional meeting with the
football star was a way to escape the mundane reality of her life.
Q.7 Which was the only occasion when she
got to see Danny Casey in person?
Answer:
The only occasion when Sophie saw Danny Casey in person was during a football
match where he played for United. Sophie attended the match with her father and
brother and watched Casey score a goal, showcasing his talent. However, this
was a public event, and she did not have any personal interaction with him. Her
fantasy about meeting him in the arcade was completely imagined.
Understanding the Text:
Q.1 Sophie’s dreams and disappointments
are all in her mind.
Answer:
Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are indeed all in her mind. She lives in a
world of fantasies where she imagines herself becoming a successful fashion
designer, owning a boutique, or even being an actress. Her aspirations are
unrealistic given her socio-economic background, and she does not acknowledge
the hard work and practical steps required to achieve such dreams. As a result,
when reality does not match her expectations, she feels disappointed. Her
imaginary meeting with Danny Casey is a prime example of how she escapes into
her fantasy world to avoid facing the harsh realities of her life, and her
eventual disappointment when he does not show up highlights the gap between her
dreams and reality.
Q.2 It is natural for teenagers to have
unrealistic dreams. What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of
such fantasizing?
Answer:
Unrealistic dreams are a natural part of adolescence, as teenagers often
imagine a brighter, more glamorous future than what their current reality
offers. Benefits of such fantasizing include fostering creativity,
motivation, and a sense of hope. Dreaming big can inspire teenagers to work
hard and pursue their goals, and it can help them envision possibilities beyond
their immediate circumstances. It also provides an emotional escape from the
pressures of everyday life.
However, disadvantages
include the risk of disappointment when these dreams do not materialize.
Constantly living in a world of fantasies may prevent teenagers from taking
practical steps toward achievable goals and lead to frustration when reality
falls short. It can also create a disconnect between what they want and what is
realistically possible, causing them to ignore important aspects of their
present lives.
Working with Words:
Notice the
following expressions. The highlighted words are not used in a literal sense.
Explain what they mean:
- “Words had to be prized out
of him like stones out of a ground.”
Answer: This phrase means that Geoff was not very talkative, and it
was difficult to get him to speak. Getting him to share information or
talk was as hard as prying stones from the ground, implying that he was a
person of few words and was reserved about his personal life. - “Sophie felt a tightening in
her throat.”
Answer: This expression signifies that Sophie was feeling emotional
or anxious. The tightening of her throat indicates that she was either on
the verge of tears or feeling choked with emotion, perhaps due to the
overwhelming realization of the gap between her dreams and reality. - “If he keeps his head on his
shoulders.”
Answer: This phrase means that if Danny Casey remains sensible,
focused, and doesn’t let fame go to his head, he will be able to handle the
pressures of his career. It suggests the importance of staying grounded
and rational in the face of success and distractions. - “On Saturday they made their
weekly pilgrimage to United.”
Answer: The word “pilgrimage” is used metaphorically to
describe Sophie and her family’s regular visits to watch United’s football
matches. It implies that attending these matches is a significant and
almost sacred routine for them, similar to a religious pilgrimage. - “She saw… him ghost past the
lumbering defenders.”
Answer: In this sentence, “ghost past” means that Danny
Casey moved so swiftly and skillfully that it seemed as if he was
invisible or moving like a ghost. The defenders, by contrast, are
described as “lumbering,” meaning they were slow and heavy in
their movements.
Noticing Form:
Pick out five
other sentences from the story in which present participles are used in this
sense.
Answer:
Here are five sentences from the story where present participles are used to
indicate actions happening simultaneously:
- “Jansie, linking arms with
her along the street, looked doubtful.”
Present participle: “linking,” indicating that Jansie was
walking while linking arms with Sophie. - “She turned in through the
open street door leaving Jansie standing in the rain.”
Present participle: “standing,” indicating that Jansie was still
standing while Sophie went inside. - “Sophie said, coming home
from school, ‘I’m going to have a boutique.'”
Present participle: “coming,” indicating that Sophie was
speaking while she was walking home. - “Sophie said, staring far
down the street.”
Present participle: “staring,” indicating that Sophie was
speaking while looking far down the street. - “Jansie, knowing they were
both earmarked for the biscuit factory, became melancholy.”
Present participle: “knowing,” indicating that Jansie felt sad
because she was aware of their future prospects.
Thinking About Language:
Notice these
words in the story:
- Chuffed: Meaning delighted or very
pleased. - Nosey: Meaning inquisitive or curious
in an annoying or intrusive way. - Gawky: Meaning awkward or ungainly.
Make a list of
ten other words of this kind:
- Grumpy: Bad-tempered or irritable.
- Bossy: Fond of giving people orders;
domineering. - Cheeky: Impudent or irreverent,
typically in an endearing or amusing way. - Clingy: Overly dependent on someone
emotionally or physically. - Fussy: Hard to please; very particular.
- Dizzy: Light-headed or scatterbrained.
- Chatty: Talkative or prone to having
casual conversations. - Whiny: Complaining in a petulant or
high-pitched voice. - Bratty: Behaving in a spoiled or
ill-mannered way. - Perky: Cheerful and lively.
Writing Task:
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 to interview that person on a
television show.
Answer
(Example):
Role Model: Malala Yousafzai
Points to be
Discussed:
- Early life in Pakistan and the
challenges she faced in pursuing education. - The impact of her advocacy for
girls’ education on her community and globally. - How she overcame the traumatic
experience of being attacked by the Taliban. - Her views on the current state of
education for girls around the world. - The importance of resilience and
courage in the face of adversity. - Her future plans and goals as an
activist and author.
Questions:
- What inspired you to start
advocating for girls’ education at such a young age? - How do you stay motivated despite
the challenges you’ve faced? - How do you think the global
community can better support girls’ education in developing countries? - What role did your family play in
shaping your passion for education? - How do you manage your personal
life and activism work? - What advice would you give to
young people who want to make a difference in their communities?