Class 12 Going Places SDC Notes

YOUTUBE CHANNEL : SHIPRA MISHRA
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Going Places
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A.R. Barton is a contemporary writer based in Zurich who writes in
English. Barton delves into the theme of adolescent fantasising and hero
worship in the story Going Places. He depicts an adolescent girl’s
perceptions, dreams, and desires. He was an English Royal Air Force
officer who was instrumental in the Battle of Britain and the defence of
Malta during the Axis powers’ siege during World War II. Barton was
from the north London suburb of Oak Leigh Park.
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TITLE JUSTIFICATION:
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The narrative takes readers on a trip into the realm of dreams. In
dreams, one can go to even the most distant corners of the globe
because there is where our imaginations come to life. The truth
frequently runs counter to our fantasies and keeps us in the boundaries
of our environment. Daydreamer Sophie finds her world to be extremely
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constricting. Despite coming from a lower middle-class background, she
aspires to own the best boutique in the city. She encounters Danny
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Casey, the famous sports figure from her visions. She even arranges a
date with him in her head, goes to the location, and waits for him to
come up. Through her imagination, Sophie is travelling to other
locations.
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THEME:
The Going Places theme will help you understand the story written by
A.R. Barton better. It is centred on fantasies and daydreams. The story is
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about adolescence when people are often found daydreaming about

things that are not true. This time is all about desires and accomplishing
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the seemingly impossible. Furthermore, at this age, most teenagers

have a hero they admire or look up to. However, the main setting of the
story is based on true events. It tells us about Sophie, a girl from a
lower-middle-class family. She fantasises about owning the best
boutique in town. She does not, however, have the necessary funds or
resources. Sophie looks up to Danny Casey, a young football player.
She fantasises about him a lot.
Through this chapter, the author has tried to convey three different
things.
1. Adolescence fantacising
2. Hero Worship
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3. No use in building castles in the air
NCERT PARAGRAPH:
“When I leave,” Sophie said, coming home from school, “I’m going to
have a boutique.” Jansie, linking arms with her along the street; looked
doubtful. “Takes money, Soaf, something like that.” “I’ll find it,” Sophie
said, staring far down the street. “Take you a long time to save that
much.” “Well I’ll be a manager then — yes, of course — to begin with. Till
I’ve got enough. But anyway, I know just how it’s all going to look.” “They
wouldn’t make you manager straight off, Soaf.” “I’ll be like Mary Quant,”
Sophie said. “I’ll be a natural. They’ll see it from the start. I’ll have the
most amazing shop this city’s ever seen.’” Jansie, knowing they were
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both earmarked for the biscuit factory, became melancholy. She wished
Sophie wouldn’t say these things. When they reached Sophie’s street
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Jansie said, “It’s only a few months away now, Soaf, you really should be
sensible. They don’t pay well for shop work, you know that, your dad
would never allow it.” “Or an actress. Now there’s real money in that.
Yes, and I could maybe have the boutique on the side. Actresses don’t
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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 ever I come into money I’ll
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buy a boutique.” “Huh - 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
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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.
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NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

A conversation between two teenage girls named Sophie and Jansie
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serves as the opening to the tale. Sophie inhabits a fantasy world, whilst
Jansie is the complete opposite of her. One day, Sophie hopes to open a
boutique where she will be able to offer stylish clothing. Jansie believes
that starting a boutique costs a lot of money. She also warns her that
saving so much money will take a lot of time. Sophie responds that she
will work as a manager and, after saving enough money, work on
starting a boutique. Jansie cuts her off as she explains that no one will
promote her immediately to the managing position. Sophie chooses to
abandon her original objective and become a fashion icon like Mary
Quant. She continues by saying that she will have the finest boutique
store the city has ever seen. Knowing they were both headed for the
biscuit factory, Jansie started to feel depressed. She wished Sophie
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would hold back on her comments. Jansie is a sensible individual. She is

aware that they are only employees at a biscuit factory. When Sophie
hears her thoughts, she becomes depressed. Jansie tries to describe
their reality when they get to Sophie's street. She informs her that the
factory where they work doesn't give them much. She also reveals to her
that her father would forbid her from quitting her job. On the other hand,
Sophie is still engrossed in her dreams. She claims that since acting
would pay well, she might also pursue it. She also intends to operate a
boutique as a side business because she believes that actors don't work
full-time. As soon as they get to Sophie's house, she opens the door.
Jansie is abandoned outside in the rain. Sophie continues to mutter the
same phrase: "If I have any money, I'll purchase a boutique." She is
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teasingly told by someone in the house that she ought to purchase her
family a nice home if she ever becomes wealthy. Then she went to her
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brother as she was feeling very uncomfortable.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the theme of the story? IS
a. Childhood fantasies
a. Hero worship
a. People’s happiness
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a. All of the above
2. What does this story signify?
a. Teaches us how to manage friendships
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a. instant relevance to school-leavers' lives

a. How to handle things smartly
a. How to respect people, especially elders
NCERT PARAGRAPH:
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Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the
incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The
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delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The evening had already
blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy from the stove
and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and
the dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her
throat. She went to look for her brother Geoff. He was kneeling on the
floor in the next room tinkering with a part of his motorcycle over some
newspaper spread on the carpet. He was three years out of school, an
apprentice mechanic, travelling to his work each day to the far side of
the city. He was almost grown up now, and she suspected areas of his
life about which she knew nothing, about which he never spoke. He said
little at all, ever, voluntarily. Words had to be prized out of him like stones
out of the ground. And she was jealous of his silence. When he wasn’t
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speaking it was as though he was away somewhere, out there in the

world in those places she had never been. Whether they were only the
outlying districts of the city, or places beyond in the surrounding country
— who knew? — they attained a special fascination simply because they
were unknown to her and remained out of her reach. Perhaps there were
also people, exotic, interesting people of whom he never spoke — it was
possible, though he was quiet and didn’t make new friends easily. She
longed to know them. She wished she could be admitted more deeply
into her brother’s affections and that someday he might take her with
him. Though their father forbade it and Geoff had never expressed an
opinion, she knew he thought her too young. And she was impatient.
She was conscious of a vast world out there waiting for her and she
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knew instinctively that she would feel as at home there as in the city
which had always been her home. It expectantly awaited her arrival. She
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saw herself riding there behind Geoff. He wore new, shining black
leathers and she a yellow dress with a kind of cape that flew out behind.
There was the sound of applause as the world rose to greet them. He
sat frowning at the oily component he cradled in his hands, as though it
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were a small dumb animal and he was willing it to speak.

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In the other room, Geoff was lounging on the carpet with his knees bent.
He was working on a motorcycle component. He had quit school three
years prior and was currently an apprentice mechanic. He had to make
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long trips in quest of employment. Given that he didn't talk much about
his life, Sophie had her doubts about his brother on sometimes. She
therefore frequently thought about her brother's manner of life. She was
really envious of his silence since she was curious to learn more about
the locations he used to travel. She speculated that there might be some
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remote areas of the city or possibly some rural areas. All of these ideas
were so alluring because she couldn't access them. Sophie entertained
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fantasies about her brother's private life. She reasoned that although her
brother rarely talked about his life, perhaps he knew some fascinating
non-natives. She was aware that her brother didn't have many friends,
but she hoped that he might have a few special ones. In order for her
brother to invite her out with him, she occasionally wished she could get
close to him. She was aware that her father would never consent to such
behaviour. Even her brother thought she was too young to go outside.
However, she was getting impatient and wanted to leave because she
thought that would make her feel more at ease than in her home city.
She then visualised herself riding on Geoff's motorcycle with him
wearing a sleek black jacket and her donning a stunning yellow dress
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with a stole flying behind her. In her dream, when she and her brother
rode, people got up and gave her a standing ovation.
QUESTIONS:
1. On whom does the story mainly revolve?
a. A huge family with many children
a. A girl and her siblings
a. A girl and her grandparents
a. A girl, her family and her friends
2. Which of the following describes Sophie’s character?
a. Day dreamer
a. Linguistic
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a. Multitasking
a. Innocent and calm
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NCERT PARAGRAPH:
“I met Danny Casey,” Sophie said. He looked around abruptly. “Where?”
“In the arcade — funnily enough.” “It’s never true.” “I did too.” “You told
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Dad?” She shook her head, chastened at his unawareness that he was
always the first to share her secrets. “I don’t believe it.” “There I was
looking at the clothes in Royce’s window when someone came and
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stood beside me, and I looked around and who should it be but Danny
Casey.” “All right, what does he look like?” “Oh come on, you know what
he looks like.” “Close to, I mean.” “Well — he has green eyes. Gentle
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eyes. And he’s not so tall as you’d think...” She wondered if she should
say about his teeth, but decided against it. Their father had washed
when he came in and his face and arms were shiny and pink and he
smelled of soap. He switched on the television, tossed one of little
Derek’s shoes from his chair onto the sofa, and sat down with a grunt.
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“Sophie met Danny Casey,” Geoff said. Sophie wriggled where she was
sitting at the table. Her father turned his head on his thick neck to look at
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her. His expression was one of disdain. “It’s true,” Geoff said. “I once
knew a man who had known Tom Finney,” his father said reverently to
the television. “But that was a long time ago.” “You told us,” Geoff said.
“Casey might be that good some day.” “Better than that even. He’s the
best.” “If he keeps his head on his shoulders. If they look after him
properly. A lot of distractions for a youngster in the game these days.”
“He’ll be all right. He’s with the best team in the country.” “He’s very
young yet.” “He’s older than I am.” “Too young really for the first team.”
“You can’t argue with that sort of ability.” “He’s going to buy a shop,”
Sophie said from the table. Her father grimaced. “Where’d you hear
that?” “He told me so.” He muttered something inaudible and dragged
himself round in his chair. “This another of your wild stories?” “She met
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him in the arcade,” Geoff said, and told him how it had been. “One of
these days you’re going to talk yourself into a load of trouble,” her father
said aggressively. “Geoff knows it’s true, don’t you Geoff?” “He don’t
believe you-though he’d like to.”

Her brother appeared irritated as he handled the oily portion of the
motorcycle. He tried to make it function, but all of his efforts were in vain.
Sophie claimed to have met renowned football player Danny Casey.
When her brother abruptly turned to face her, he inquired about how she
met him. She claimed to have seen him while in a gallery. He questioned
whether she had told their father about it because he didn't believe her.
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She objected to her brother's query because she wanted to tell him that
he must know that she had told him all of her secrets. Their father
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entered the room as their brother and sister were having a talk. He
appeared clean and polished after taking a bath. He moved Derek's
sneakers from his chair to the sofa, then turned on his television and sat
in his chair. Geoff informed him that Sophie had met Danny Casey while
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he sat on his chair. He turned toward Sophie after hearing this. He
couldn't believe her, so he regarded her with derision. Geoff explained
that it was accurate. The father then revealed to the children that he had
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once known a man who had long since known Tom Finney. Football
great Tom Finney was legendary. He took his name very seriously. Geoff
concurred their father had already told them this. They had been talking
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about football players. Father expressed his belief that Casey could
someday surpass Finney in talent. Casey was superior since he was
more talented, someone between Geoff and Sophie said, but their father
disagreed. He claimed he was extremely young and might work hard
because there are so many distractions for a young football player. Geoff
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disagreed, claiming that he was on the top squad and that he was also
the best player. In the meantime, Sophie informed them that Casey
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planned to purchase a new store. Her father demanded to know how she
learned of this while glaring fiercely at her. He didn't think it was a
figment of her imagination. He met her, her brother interrupted, adding.
Her father warned her that engaging in such behaviour might get her into
trouble. She then made an attempt to defend herself by asserting that
Geoff was aware of this and trusted her. Although he wanted to, her
father said that he did not believe her.
QUESTIONS:
1. What does Sophie dream about?
a. To become a very sophisticated person
a. To become an actress
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a. To become a manager
a. To become very rich
2. Who was Geoff?
a. Sophie’s father
a. Sophie’s uncle
a. Sophie’s grandfather
a. Sophie’s brother
NCERT PARAGRAPH:
The table lamp cast an amber glow across her brother’s bedroom wall,
and across the large poster of United’s first team squad and the row of
coloured photographs beneath, three of them of the young Irish prodigy,
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Casey. “Promise you’ll tell no-one?” Sophie said. “Nothing to tell is
there?” “Promise, Geoff — Dad’d murder me.” “Only if he thought it was
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true.” “Please, Geoff.” “Christ, Sophie, you’re still at school. Casey must
have strings of girls.” “No he doesn’t.” “How could you know that?” he
jeered. “He told me, that’s how.” “As if anyone would tell a girl something
like that.” “Yes he did. He isn’t like that. He’s... quiet.” “Not as quiet as all
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that — apparently.” “It was nothing like that, Geoff — it was me spoke
first. When I saw who it was, I said, “Excuse me, but aren’t you Danny
Casey?” And he looked sort of surprised. And he said, “Yes, that’s right.”
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And I knew it must be him because he had the accent, you know, like
when they interviewed him on the television. So I asked him for an
autograph for little Derek, but neither of us had any paper or a pen. So
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then we just talked a bit. About the clothes in Royce’s window. He

seemed lonely. After all, it’s a long way from the west of Ireland. And
then, just as he was going, he said, if I would care to meet him next
week he would give me an autograph then. Of course, I said I would.”
“As if he’d ever show up.” “You do believe me now, don’t you?” He
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dragged his jacket, which was shiny and shapeless, from the back of the
chair and pushed his arms into it. She wished he paid more attention to
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his appearance. Wished he cared more about clothes. He was tall with a
strong dark face. Handsome, she thought. “It’s the unlikeliest thing I ever
heard,” he said.

Images of football players were everywhere in Geoff's room. There was
a picture of Casey as well, who was characterised as a talented young
Irishman. Sophie revealed to her brother a new secret about her, but
only under the condition that he not inform their father. Even if his
brother didn't want to believe her, he did so because of her excessive
worry. Then she admitted that she was the one who struck up a
discussion with him when she first met him by inquiring as to his identity
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as Danny Casey. She also requested an autograph for young Derek, but
as neither of them had a pen or paper, he promised to do so when they
next met. Because he had doubts about what she was saying, her
brother did not accept this. He then grabbed his jacket and walked out.
Sophie questioned whether her brother cared much about his
appearance despite the fact that he should because he was tall and
attractive.
QUESTIONS:
1. Where did Sophie lose?
a. Her words
a. Her imagination
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a. Her dreams
a. All of the above
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NCERT PARAGRAPH:
On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to watch United. Sophie
and her father and little Derek went down near the goal — Geoff, as
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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
round the two big defenders on the edge of the penalty area, with her
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father screaming for him to pass, and beating the hesitant goalkeeper
from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. Afterwards Geoff was
ecstatic. “I wish he was an Englishman,” someone said on the bus.
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“Ireland’ll win the World Cup,” little Derek told his mother when Sophie
brought him home. Her father was gone to the pub to celebrate. “What’s
this you’ve been telling?” Jansie said, next week. “About what?” “Your
Geoff told our Frank you met Danny Casey.” This wasn’t an inquisition,
just Jansie being nosey. But Sophie was startled. “Oh, that.” Jansie
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frowned, sensing she was covering. “Yes — that.” “Well-yes, I did.” “You
never did?” Jansie exclaimed. Sophie glared at the ground. Damn that
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Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing. It was meant to be
something special just between them. Something secret. It wasn’t a
Jansie kind of thing at all. Tell gawky Jansie something like that and the
whole neighbourhood would get to know it. Damn that Geoff, was
nothing sacred? “It’s a secret — meant to be.” “I’ll keep a secret, Soaf,
you know that.” “I wasn’t going to tell anyone. There’ll be a right old row
if my dad gets to hear about it.” Jansie blinked. “A row? I’d have thought
he’d be chuffed as anything.”

Sophie, her father, and her two brothers watched the United football
team play on Saturday. They were all avid football fans, so it was nothing
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new to them. While Geoff and his pals climbed higher to watch the
game, Sophie, Derek, and her father stayed close to the goal. The final
result was 2 and 0 in favour of Team United. Casey scored the second
goal, and he did it so expertly. Everyone was joyful, even Geoff and
Sophie, the latter of whom was glowing. After the game, Sophie escorted
her brother Derek back home while her father went to the bar. Derek
predicted to his mum that Ireland would win the world cup this time.
Jansie questioned Sophie about what she was saying to everyone.
Unexpectedly, Sophie inquired as to why she was asking her this. Then,
she informed her that Sophie had met Danny Casey, according to what
her brother Geoff had told Jansie's brother Frank. Sophie became upset
since she had no idea that her brother would reveal her identity. She was
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concerned because Jansie had a tendency to leak neighbourhood
secrets, something she didn't want to happen. Sophie became outraged
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at Geoff's actions. Jansie was informed by Sophie that this was her
personal information and that sharing it would result in a line of curious
onlookers forming in front of their home. On this, her father would kill her.
Jansie expressed her surprise at hearing this and stated that she had
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assumed her father would be pleased. However, Sophie informed her
that this was untrue and that her mother might be bothered by the
neighbours' constant loudness.
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QUESTIONS:
1. What does Jansie ask Sophie to do?
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a. She asks her to be strong

a. She asked her to leave her house
a. She asked her to focus on her studies
a. She asks her to stop dreaming and to be practical.
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NCERT PARAGRAPH:
She realised then that Jansie didn’t know about the date bit — Geoff
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hadn’t told about that. She breathed more easily. So Geoff hadn’t let her
down after all. He believed in her after all. After all some things might be
sacred. “It was just a little thing really. I asked him for an autograph, but
we hadn’t any paper or a pen so it was no good.” How much had Geoff
said? “Jesus, I wish I’d have been there.” “Of course, my dad didn’t want
to believe it. You know what a misery he is. But the last thing I need is
queues of people round our house asking him, “What’s all this about
Danny Casey?” He’d murder me. And you know how my mum gets when
there’s a row.” Jansie said, hushed, “You can trust me, Soaf, you know
that.” After dark she walked by the canal, along a sheltered path lighted
only by the glare of the lamps from the wharf across the water, and the
unceasing drone of the city was muffled and distant. It was a place she
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had often played in when she was a child. There was a wooden bench
beneath a solitary elm where lovers sometimes came. She sat down to
wait. It was the perfect place, she had always thought so, for a meeting
of this kind. For those who wished not to be observed. She knew he
would approve. For some while, waiting, she imagined his coming. She
watched along the canal, seeing him come out of the shadows,
imagining her own consequent excitement. Not until some time had
elapsed did she begin balancing against this the idea of his not coming.

She was relieved that her brother had managed to keep certain
information a secret because she recognised that Jansie wasn't aware of
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everything. Then she explained to her that she had met him and
requested an autograph but was unable to obtain one due to a lack of a
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pen and paper. She even admits to Jansie that her father didn't think she
was real. Her secret would be kept, as Jansie had promised. Sophie
travelled down a covered route that ran along a stream after it had grown
dark. The bustling city was far away from it. As a little child, she used to
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play here. Under a large elm tree, she sat on a wooden bench. She
claimed that it was the ideal setting for lovers to connect. She started to
wait for Casey as she sat there. She became engrossed in the thought
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of Casey visiting her. After some time, she understood that it was all in
her head and that he was not actually coming.
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QUESTIONS:
1. Why didn’t Jansie support Sophie?
a. Because he didn’t want Sophie to be successful
a. Because he thought practically and didn’t think that Sophie’s
dreams were realistic
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a. Because he loved her and feared to loose her

a. None of the above
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NCERT PARAGRAPH:
Here I sit, she said to herself, wishing Danny would come, wishing he
would come and sensing the time passing. I feel the pangs of doubt
stirring inside me. I watch for him but still there is no sign of him. I
remember Geoff saying he would never come, and how none of them
believed me when I told them. I wonder what will I do, what can I tell
them now if he doesn’t come? But we know how it was, Danny and me
— that’s the main thing. How can you help what people choose to
believe? But all the same, it makes me despondent, this knowing I’ll
never be able to show them they’re wrong to doubt me. She waited,
measuring in this way the changes taking place in her. Resignation was
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no sudden thing. Now I have become sad, she thought. And it is a hard
burden to carry, this sadness. Sitting here waiting and knowing he will
not come I can see the future and how I will have to live with this burden.
They of course will doubt me, as they always doubted me, but I will have
to hold up my head remembering how it was. Already I envisage the
slow walk home, and Geoff’s disappointed face when I tell him, “He
didn’t come, that Danny.” And then he’ll fly out and slam the door. “But
we know how it was,” I shall tell myself, “Danny and me.” It is a hard
thing, this sadness. She climbed the crumbling steps to the street.
Outside the pub she passed her father’s bicycle propped against the
wall, and was glad. He would not be there when she got home.
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Many ideas flooded Sophie's mind. She waited for Danny to arrive, but
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he never showed up. She experienced severe inside agony. She
believed that others did not accept her account. She could prove to them
that she wasn't lying if Danny showed there. She once more reflected
that convincing everyone to believe in oneself is not an easy task. She
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felt as though many internal changes were occurring while her mind was
racing with ideas. She wanted to go right away since everything was so
awful. Sophie grew depressed. She thought it was very difficult to carry
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the weight of Danny not coming to meet her. Despite the fact that she
was aware he would never arrive, she had been waiting for him. She
was also concerned that others would question her and reject what she
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had to say. Additionally, she believed that Geoff would bang on the door
vehemently if he learned that Danny hadn't come to meet her. She is
currently feeling extremely depressed. She noticed her father's bicycle in
front of the pub as she was making her way back to her house. She was
relieved that when she got home, she wouldn't have to face her father.
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QUESTIONS:
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1. Why is Sophie so attracted to Danny?

a. Because he is very smart and handsome
a. Because he is very rich
a. Because he is a footballer and she can only dream and imagine of
him
a. Because she is in deep love with him
NCERT PARAGRAPH:
“Excuse me, but aren’t you Danny Casey?” Coming through the arcade
she pictured him again outside Royce’s. He turns, reddening slightly.
“Yes, that’s right.” “I watch you every week, with my dad and my
brothers. We think you’re great.” “Oh, well now — that’s very nice.” “I
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wonder — would you mind signing an autograph?” His eyes are on the
same level as your own. His nose is freckled and turns upwards slightly,
and when he smiles he does so shyly, exposing teeth with gaps
between. His eyes are green, and when he looks straight at you they
seem to shimmer. They seem gentle, almost afraid. Like a gazelle’s. And
you look away. You let his eyes run over you a little. And then you come
back to find them, slightly breathless. And he says, “I don’t seem to have
a pen at all.” You realise you haven’t either. “My brothers will be very
sorry,” you say. And afterwards you wait there alone in the arcade for a
long while, standing where he stood, remembering the soft melodious
voice, the shimmer of green eyes. No taller than you. No bolder than
you. The prodigy. The innocent genius. The great Danny Casey. And she
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saw it all again, last Saturday — saw him ghost past the lumbering
defenders, heard the fifty thousand catch their breath as he hovered
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momentarily over the ball, and then the explosion of sound as he struck
it crisply into the goal, the sudden thunderous eruption of exultant
approbation.

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Sophie went through the Royce's shop on her way back to her house.
She pictured meeting Danny Casey one more. She made another
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attempt to strike up a conversation with him by inquiring about his
identity and requesting his autograph. They both discovered they were
without pens or paper when she requested for their autographs. For her
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brothers, she felt sorrow. She continued to remain there after Casey
gone, remembering his wonderful voice, green eyes, innocence, and
brilliance. The football game she had watched with her family last
Saturday appeared in her imagination at that point. She pictured Danny
Casey scoring in such a heroic fashion that she could feel an explosion
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on the football field. With the victory of the unified team and Danny
Casey's courageous effort, she was overcome with delight.
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QUESTIONS:
1. Where do Sophie and Casey meet in Sophie’s dream?
a. In a hotel
a. In a secret place near
a. In the market
a. In the school
NOTES (Pointers):
● The reader is introduced to Sophie, a teenage girl, at the start of
the narrative. She has a lot of desires and dreams, like any other
typical adolescent.
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● Sophie comes from a family with financial difficulties and aspires to

work as an actress and a fashion designer.
● Her companion Jansie is also more sensible and practical.
● Living in a modest home with her parents and two brothers, Sophie
has two brothers. She is not afraid to communicate her fantasies
and aspirations.
● Her parents, who are much more mature than she is, do not pay it
much attention. They do not believe her fantasies because they
are already dealing with life's harsh realities.
● Geoff, Sophie's older brother, is a tall, powerful, and gorgeous man
who keeps to himself.
● We also discover that Sophie constantly fantasises about Danny
A
Casey, a young Irish football player.
● She comes to like him after watching him play in several games.
HR
She invents tales about him since she always exists in a fantasy
world.
● She gives her older brother, Geoff, a made-up tale about how they
first met in the streets. IS
● Geoff, who is more sane, does not accept her account. He thinks it
is extremely implausible that she merely happened to run across
such a sensation in the street.
M
● But because Sophie is so skilled at losing herself in a dream world,
she begins to give lifelike details.
● Thus, even Geoff wishes that what she was saying is real after
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hearing these specifics. She also adds that Danny has assured her
that they will see each other again.
● As a result, Sophie becomes so engrossed in the fantasy that she
begins to take it seriously.
● She continues expecting Danny to show up, but sadly, he never
IP
does. She is therefore considering how Geoff will be disappointed

if Danny doesn't show up while she is on her way back.
SH
● She yet continues to fantasise about him and is convinced that

they will someday meet.
SHORT SUMMARY:
Sophie, a normal teenager also has many fantasies and dreams. Sophie
comes from a financially struggling middle-class family. However, she
dreams of owning a boutique one day. Also, she dreams of becoming a
fashion designer actress. Similarly, her friend Jansie is more
down-to-earth and sober. She knows she has to work in a biscuit factory
because they don’t have a strong financial background. Jansie has no
14
unattainable fantasies. She tries her best to keep Sophie in touch with
reality, but it’s all in vain as Sophie won’t listen to her.
Sophie has two brothers and lives with her parents in a small house. She
is not afraid to express her desires and fantasies. However, her parents
are much more mature than her, so they don’t pay much attention to
them. Sophie’s older brother is the modest yet tall, strong and handsome
Jeoff. She is somehow attracted to her brother’s life.
Also that Sophie is always fantasizing about Danny Casey, a young Irish
soccer player. I understand too. She has seen him play in a few matches
and is starting to like him. She always lives in a fantasy world, so she
A
makes up stories about him. Tell her brother Jeoff that she met him on
the street one day. Jeoff is more reasonable and doesn’t believe her
HR
story. He thinks it’s highly unlikely that she’s encountered such
sensations on her street.
But Sophie is so good at delving into fantasy worlds that she explains
real details. So even Jeoff, after hearing these details, hopes that what
IS
she said will turn out to be true. As Danny promised her, she hopes that
they even say that they will meet again. As such, Sophie becomes
M
obsessed with the hoax and begins to believe it to be true. She keeps
waiting for Danny, but unfortunately, he doesn’t come. On the way home,
she thinks how bad it would be if Danny didn’t come.
RA
CHARACTER SKETCHES:
1. Sophie
Despite her low-income, she fantasises about becoming a fashion

IP
designer or owning a boutique. She refuses to accept the reality that, in

the end, she must work in a biscuit factory to make ends meet. She
adores her brother and describes him as very handsome, tall, and
SH
reserved in nature. She constructs castles in the air in front of him by

claiming to have met Danny and that they are going on a date. She has
a mental image of herself as no bolder or taller than him.
2. Geoff
He is the family’s eldest child and works as a mechanic. He even owns a

motorcycle, which Sophie believes gives him an advantage when it
comes to living the glamorous life. Geoff, on the other hand, is more
sensible and speaks maturely; he pays no attention to his sister’s
unrealistic talks because he understands the realities and knows not to
dream too big. He is reserved and does not have many friends with
15
whom he can roam and daydream like she does. He is well aware that
Sophie’s dreams are not spared.
3. Jansie
She is Sophie’s friend, and she is more sensible and mature in her
understanding of the realities. She is well aware that they are destined
for the biscuit factory. She tries to explain it to Sophie, but she refuses
and continues to believe her delusions. Jansie understands that they are
not all meant to dream beyond their means.
4. Sophie’s Father
A
He is not named in the story, but the author describes him as a drunk
and a gloomy character. He has a cold attitude toward her daughter and
HR
pays no attention to her dreams and illusions. He was always chastising
her for telling cock and bull stories, and his demeanor terrified the
readers and children.
5. Danny Cassey IS
He is the story’s famous Irish footballer and the teen girl Sophie’s love
M
charm. He has been described as young, bright, and with gentle and soft
eyes, and Sophie added that he is neither bolder nor taller than she is.
6. Sophie’s Mother
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She is the family’s housekeeper and is described as having no affection

or attachment to her family. She always wears an apron and is tired of
doing household chores.
IP
NCERT QUESTION ANSWERS:

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Q1. Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. What were the
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differences between them that show up in the story?

Ans: Sophie and Jansie have opposing tastes and temperaments.
Sophie has fantastic dreams in which she floats in a fairy land. She is an
incurable escapist who will not leave her dreams. Jansie is grounded—a
realist. Sophie wishes to do something elegant. Jansie understands that
these things cost a lot of money, which their families do not have. Jansie
is also aware that they were designated for the biscuit factory. She even
advises Sophie to be practical and sensible. Sophie regards Jansie as
'nosey,' and refuses to confide in her.
16
Q2. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s
father?
Ans: Sophie's father has a plump face that is filthy and sweaty. He
doesn't appear to be a sensitive or sophisticated man. Sophie is terrified
of his aggressive masculinity. He is a cynic who does not believe his
daughter's wild tales. He is a huge football fan. He wishes Casey could
be as good as Tom Finney. He wishes the young footballer would avoid
all distractions. At the playground, he gives Casey instructions. Sophie's
father screams with joy and pride when the Irish genius beats the
hesitant goalkeeper. He celebrates his victory by going to a pub.
Q3. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person?
A
From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Ans: Sophie's fantasies and long-cherished dreams are only heard by
HR
Geoff. Her father is overbearing and aggressive. He despises Sophie's
fantastic tales. Derek, too, makes fun of her growing wealth. Jansie, her
classmate, is 'nosey' and cannot be trusted with a secret. Only Geoff can
be trusted to keep Sophie's secrets to himself. Geoff represents an older
IS
brother who has grown up and travelled to places she has never been.
She wished her brother would take her to those places one day. He
sympathises with her and warns her that Casey may have strings of
M
girls. He warns her that he will never appear again. He speaks softly so
as not to break the silence.
RA
Q4. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are
the indicators of her family’s financial status?
Ans: Sophie comes from a lower-middle-class family. She is an escapist
with wild fantasies. She fantasises about things she can't have in real
life. Jansie informs her that the boutique requires a large sum of money.
IP
Sophie is aware that the family is impoverished. "If I ever get rich," she
says, "I'll buy a boutique." Derek, even as a child, recognises her
SH
unrealistic nature. Geoff's profession reflects their socioeconomic status.

He is a mechanic's apprentice. He commutes to work on the outskirts of
town every day. His jacket has no shape. Her father is not sophisticated.
He has a heavy breathing pattern. He sits at the table in his vest. He
grunts and tosses one of Derek's shoes from his chair onto the floor.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS:
Question 1.
“Damn that Geoff, this was a Geoff thing not a Jansie thing.” Why did
Sophie say so? (Delhi 2010)
17
Answer:
Sophie had made up a story about her meeting with Danny Casey in
order to impress Geoff, who was a huge fan of the football prodigy. She
knew her brother would be very interested in this news. She also
expected her brother to keep her secret. She didn’t want Jansie, who
was ‘nosey,’ to find out. Sophie cursed Geoff for telling Jansie because
she knew Jansie would spread her story throughout the neighbourhood.
Question 2.
Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? (All
A
India 2010)
Answer:
HR
Sophie’s brother Geoff was the only person who would listen to her
fantasies and long-held dreams. She only trusted Geoff with all of her
secrets.
Question 3.
IS
M
Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny? (All
India 2010)
Answer:
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Jansie informed Sophie that Geoff had informed her of Sophie’s meeting
with Danny Casey. Sophie cursed Geoff for telling Jansie this because it
was supposed to be a special moment between Geoff and her. ‘It wasn’t
at all the jansie kind of thing.’ Jansie was ‘nosey,’ and now the entire
IP
neighbourhood would be privy to her story.
Question 4.
SH
What did Sophie tell Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey? (All
India 2010)
Answer:
Sophie informed Geoff that she had met the wonder footballer Danny
Casey. Casey approached her while she was looking at clothes in a
shop window. Geoff was not convinced. Sophie went on to say that
Casey had green and gentle eyes and was not particularly tall.
Question 5.
18
Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Sophie did not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with
Danny Casey because she knew Jansie was good at spreading rumors.
Telling anything to Jansie was like telling the whole town. Sophie had
made up this story only for her family and she did not want this story to
spread in the town.
Question 6.
A
Did Geoff keep his promise to Sophie? How do you know? (Delhi 2011)
HR
Answer:
Yes, Geoff broke his promise to Sophie. He revealed Sophie’s secret to

Jansie’s brother Frank, who then informed Jansie. We know this
IS
because Jansie confronts Sophie about her meeting with footballer
Danny Casey, and Sophie is taken aback that Jansie is aware of the
meeting.
M
Question 7.
How did Sophie’s father react when Geoff told him about her meeting
with Danny Casey? (Delhi 2011)
RA
Answer:
When Geoff told their father about Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey,
IP
he was sceptical and assumed it was one of Sophie’s wild stories. He

despised her and didn’t want to encourage her in any way. As a result,
he warned her to stay out of trouble.
SH
Question 8.
What thoughts came to Sophie’s mind as she sat by the canal? (All India
2011)
Answer:
Sophie thinks the canal is the best place for a date because it is away
from the hustle and bustle of the city. She is lost in the world of her
dreams as she sits by the canal. She imagines Casey approaching the
river and her own excitement.
19
Question 9.
Which was the only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in
person? (All India 2011)
Answer:
Sophie had only seen Danny Casey in person once, when she went to
see a football game with her family. She noticed Danny Casey from a
distance while sitting among the spectators.
Question 10.
A
Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from entertaining thoughts about the
sports-star, Danny Casey? (All India 2011)
HR
Answer:
Jansie is a down-to-earth young lady who lives in the real world. Danny
Casey, a sports celebrity, is far beyond Sophie’s dreams and
IS
imagination. As a result, she discourages Sophie from having wild
fantasies about him.
M
Question 11.
Did Geoff keep his promise? How do you know? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
RA
Answer:
No, Geoff did not follow through on his promise. He told Frank about
Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey, despite having promised her not to
IP
tell anyone. Jansie was also made aware of it. Sophie was relieved to
learn that Geoff had not revealed the date of her meeting with Casey.
SH
Question 12.
Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting
with Danny Casey?(All India 2012)
Answer:
Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny Casey
because she knew Jansie liked to spread rumours. Anything you told
Jansie was like telling the entire town. Sophie had made up this story
just for her family and did not want it to spread throughout the town.
Question 13.
20
What do you think of Sophie’s dream about her career? (Comptt. Delhi
2012)
Answer:
Sophie’s fantasies about her future life are far from reality. She aspires
to own a boutique and become an actress, but in reality, she was
assigned to the biscuit factory. Sophie enters a fantasy world and wishes
to live her dreams by escaping her middle-class status.
Question 14.
Though Sophie and Jansie were good friends, how were they basically
A
different from each other? (Comptt. All India 2012)
HR
Answer:
Sophie and Jansie were good friends, but they couldn’t be more
dissimilar.
IS
Sophie lived in a world of fantasy and dreams, a world far removed from
reality. Jansie, on the other hand, was a practical and realistic young
M
lady who was grounded in reality.
Question 15.
Why did Sophie want to keep her story with Danny a secret from Jansie?
RA
(Comptt. All India 2012)
Answer:
IP
Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny Casey
because she knew Jansie liked to spread rumours. Anything you told
Jansie was like telling the entire town. Sophie had made up this story
SH
just for her family and did not want it to spread throughout the town.
Question 16.
Why did Sophie like her brother, Geoff more than any other person?
(Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Sophie’s brother Geoff was the only person who would listen to her
fantasies and long-held dreams. She only trusted Geoff with all of her
secrets.
21
Question 17.
Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence? (All India 2013)
Answer:
Sophie’s brother’s hallmark is his silence. Sophie feels “words have to

be prized out of him like stone out of the ground.” She is jealous of his
silence and is very keen to enter the recesses of his mind. There is so
much about her brother that Sophie only suspects because she has
never really known anything about him.
Question 18.
A
Did Geoff keep up his promise? How do you know? (All India 2013)
HR
Answer:
No, Geoff did not follow through on his promise. He told Frank about
Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey, despite having promised her not to
IS
tell anyone. Jansie was also made aware of it. Sophie was relieved to
learn that Geoff had not revealed the date of her meeting with Casey.
M
Question 19.
What is unrealistic about Sophie’s dreams of her future life? (Comptt.

Delhi 2013)
RA
Answer:
Sophie’s fantasies about her future life are far from reality. She aspires
IP
to own a boutique and become an actress, but in reality, she was

assigned to the biscuit factory. Sophie enters a fantasy world and wishes
to live her dreams by escaping her middle-class status.
SH
Question 20.
Why does Jansie discourage Sophie from living in a world of fantasy?

(Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Jansie was a realistic and practical young lady who was well aware that
she and Sophie were both destined for the biscuit factory. As a result,
she discouraged Sophie from living in a fantasy world. Jansie became
melancholic whenever Sophie expressed her wishes aloud and advised
Sophie to behave sensibly.
22
STAND ALONE MCQs:

Question 1.
Danny has freckles and eyes are
(a) gray
(b) green
(c) blue
(d) brown
Question 2.
What does Sophie do outside the pub? saw. It is
(a) her father's bicycle
(b) her brother's car
A
(c) her mother's motorcycle
(d) Derek's tricycle
HR
Question 3.
While Sophie is waiting for Danny, Sophie
(a) Danny would come IS
(b) Danny didn't want to come
(c) She was hungry
(d) She was thirsty
M
Question 4.
According to Sophie, the location she chose to meet Danny is
RA
(a) Hidden Alley

(b) Perfect Place
(c) Behind Wall
(d) Near Tree
IP
Question 5.
Sophie told Jancey that if her father found out about meeting Danny, he
SH
would
(a) agree to marry her
(b) kill her
(c) ask her to take her out to dinner ask
(d) would ask to be introduced to him
Question 6.
Jeff had heard that Sophie had met with Danny Casey
(a) the entire neighborhood
(b) Frank
( c) Jhansi
(d) School teachers
23
Question 7.
"I wish he was English".These words are spoken in relation to
(a) Geoff
(b) Derek
(c) Danny Casey
(d) Bus passenger
Question 8.
Saturday's game was seen by _______
(a) Whole family
(b) Father and Sophie only
A
(c) Jeff only
(d) Sophie, father, Derek and Jeff
HR
Question 9.
Danny Casey is on ________
's soccer team. (a) Ireland IS
(b) Finland
(c) England
(d) Denmark
M
Question 10.
Sophie could not sign Jeff Danny because
RA
(a) his secretary would not allow it

(b) he had no paper or pen.
(c) because he said to sign it later
(d) he was in a hurry to get home.
IP
Question 11.
After saying about Danny, sophie was considered as______
SH
(a) called her a liar

(b) asked her if it was just another outlandish story of hers
(c) she believed No
(d) Asked Jeff to check facts
Question 12.
Father told about ______
(a ) Pele knew
(b) Beckham
(c) Tom Finney
(d) Jeffrey , Archer
24
Question 13.
After thinking of Danny's appearance sophie did not tell Geoff
about_______
(a) Danny's qualifications
(b) Danny's address
(c) His teeth
(d) his car
Question 14.
Why geoff was surprised by Sophie's word? What was the matter?
(a) she had seen a ghost
(b) she had met her principal
A
(c) she had got a job
(d) she had met Danny Casey
HR
Question 15.
What did geoff thought about sophie after which he never took him out
with him IS
(a) immature
(b) badly behaved
(c) too young
M
(d) too restless
Question 16.
RA
Why sophie was feeling bad by thinking of her brother?

(a) never spoke much
(b) laughed a lot
(c) teased her a lot
(d) never took her out for dinner
IP
Question 17.
SH
Geoff did not go to school for about ____

(a) three years
(b) five years
(c) one year
(d) two years
Question 18.
What was sophie's father interested about to buy?
(a) a luxury car
(b) a decent house
(c) a yacht
(d) a shop
25
Question 19.
Sophie followed whom to be a fashion designer?
(a) Calvin Klein
(b) Versace
(c) Armani
(d) Mary Quant
Question 20.
Who was sophie's best friend?
(a) Derek
(b) Geoff
A
(c) Jansie
(d) Danny
HR
WORKSHEET:
Stand-alone MCQs: IS
1. Who was Sophie?
a. A girl with many dreams
a. A normal school-going girl
M
a. A housewife with many dreams
a. A mother with many dreams
2. What was the relationship between Jansie and Sophie?
RA
a. Best friends
a. Sisters
a. Mother-daughter
3. What does the word “nosey” and “gawky” mean?
IP
a. Noisy and grumpy

a. Inquisitive and awkward
SH
a. Selective and precise

4. What does the word “chuffed” mean?
a. Unhappy
a. Very Frustrated
a. Very pleased and delighted
5. Mention the literary devices used in the chapter.
a. Simile
a. Enjambment
a. Metaphor
a. Irony
26
Extract-based Questions:
[A] “I’ll be like Mary Quant,” Sophie said. “I’ll be a natural. They’ll see it
from the start. I’ll have the most amazing shop this city’s ever seen.’”
Jansie, knowing they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory,
became melancholy. She wished Sophie wouldn’t say these things.
When they reached Sophie’s street Jansie said, “It’s only a few months
away now, Soaf, you really should be sensible. They don’t pay well for
shop work, you know that, your dad would never allow it.”
a. What does this line say about Sophie?
a. Give a synonym for the word ‘wonderful’.
a. Which word used in the passage above best describes Jansie?
A
Short Answer Questions:
HR
1. Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from hav-ing dreams? (All India
2017)
2. What was Sophie’s ambition in life? How did she hope to achieve
that? (Delhi 2017) IS
3. Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
4. How are Jansie and Sophie different from each other? (Comptt. Delhi
2014)
M
5. Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection? (All India 2014)
6. Whom did Sophie like more than anyone else in the story? Why?
RA
7. Why did Sophie want to be admitted into Geoff’s affections? (Comptt.

All India 2013)
8. How do we know that Sophie’s family lived in poor circumstances?
9. Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
IP
(Comptt. Delhi 2013)

10. Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies. (Delhi 2009)
SH
Long answer Questions:
1. Describe the fantasies Sophie had about Danny Casey. (Comptt. All
India 2016)
2. Geoff and Sophie are different from each other, though they belong to
the same family. Comment with examples from the text. (Comptt. All
India 2016)
3. Every teenager has a hero/heroine to admire. So many times they
become role models for them. What is wrong if Sophie fantasizes about
Danny Casey and is ambitious in life? (All India 2016)
27
4. Teachers always advise their students to dream big. Yet, the same
teachers in your classrooms find fault with Sophie when she dreams.
What is wrong with Sophie’s dreams? (Delhi 2016)
5. Every teenager must dream big. Yet the dream should also be rooted
in the ground. Write a character sketch of Sophie in light of this remark.
6. It is not unusual for a lower middle-class girl to dream big. How
unrealistic were Sophie’s dreams? (All India 2015)
7.How different is Jansie from Sophie?(All India 2015)
A
HR
IS
M
RA
IP
SH
28
VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract
A. “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. Sophie
watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the incongruity
of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The
delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The evening had already
A
blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy from the stove
HR
and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and
the dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her
throat. She went to look for her brother Geoff.
IS
i Choose the correct option about Sophie’s parents based on the extract
M
given above.
a) Sophie’s parents’ marriage was an example of harmony and affection.
b) Sophie’s relationship with her parents was warm and friendly.

RA
c) Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached.
d) Sophie and her brother didn’t like to stay with their parents.
IP
SH
ii Choose the option that supports the contention coming through

Derek’s dialogue, “She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?”.
a) Derek thought his sister to be unreasonable at times.
b) Derek had no faith in Sophie’s abilities to open a boutique.
c) Derek thought of his sister as someone who was not realistic.
d) Derek was not at all happy about Sophie’s habit of day dreaming.
29
iii It could be inferred that Sophie’s mother was fatigued and burdened.
Choose the option listing the elements that form the basis of this
inference.
a) her sigh
b) her delicate bow
c) her apron’s strings
d) her crooked back
A
a) 1, 2
HR
b) 3, 4
c) 2, 3
d) 1, 4 IS
M
iv “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.” Pick the option that lists
Sophie’s
RA
feelings in this context.
1) anxious
2) annoyed
IP
3) uneasy
SH
4) terrified
a) Options 1 & 3
b) Options 2 & 3
c) Options 1 & 4
d) Options 2 & 4
30
B. 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
round 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.
A
i Their visit to the match was like a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ refers to
HR
a) strong bond as a family.
b) love for a fixed routine.
c) similar feelings of devotion.

IS
M
d) excitement for the match.
RA
ii Based on the following statements, choose the correct option.
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
IP
world.
Reason 2: Geoff was rude and indifferent towards everyone around him
SH
and
didn’t care about anyone at all.
a) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both can be inferred from the assertion.
b) Reason 1 can be inferred but Reason 2 cannot be inferred from the
assertion.
c) Reason 1 cannot be inferred but Reason 2 can be inferred.
31
d) Reason 1 and Reason 2 both cannot be inferred.
iii ‘Sophie glowed with pride.’ Her pride is the result of
a) belonging to a region where everyone thought of Danny as a hero.
b) watching her father cheer and support Danny.
c) The information she gathered from her brother, about Danny.
d) being an avid fan and her sense of closeness with Danny.
A
HR
IS
M
a) Scenario 1
b) Scenario 2
RA
c) Scenario 3
d) Scenario 4
IP
SH
Stand Alone MCQs
i Choose the option listing the possible titular justifications for the chapter
‘Going Places’.
1. It includes the system of going to watch the football game on a
32
regular basis.
2. It expresses Sophie’s deepest desire to go out with Danny Casey.
3. It is about a girl named Sophie who is an idealist and often dreams of
going to various places.
4. It is an idiomatic expression that refers to Sophie going ahead in her
career, trying to beat poverty.
a) 1, 2
A
b) 2, 3
HR
c) 3, 4
d) 1, 4
IS
M
RA
IP
SH
a) Option (1)
b) Option (2)
c) Option (3)
d) Option (4)
33
iii “He said little at all, ever, voluntarily. Words had to be prized out of him
like stones out of the ground.”
Choose the option that states the characteristics of the person being
talked about in the above lines.
1) rigid
2) stubborn
A
3) distant
4) invincible
HR
5) reserved
a) 1, 4
b) 2, 5
IS
M
c) 2, 3
d) 3, 5
RA
iv “Jansie, knowing they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory,
became melancholy.”
IP
Choose the option that DOES NOT make the correct usage of the word
‘earmarked’.
SH
a) The money in the locker had been earmarked for another purpose.
b) The investments made in the share market were earmarked for two
years.
c) Lakshay and Samrat were earmarked for behaving notoriously in the

classroom.
d) My family had been earmarked since we had shifted from our old
home.
34
Answer in 30-40 words
i The story is written in a manner that it makes it difficult to point out

clearly if Sophie met Danny Casey or not. Suggest possible reasons for
such writing.
A
ii “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother
Geoff.” In the light of this quote, discuss the relationship Sophie shared
HR
with Geoff.
iii Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world she
IS
wants to live in. Elucidate.
M
iv Evaluate the two different perspectives to life that Jansie and Sophie
represent.
RA
v According to you, should Sophie have continued to dream, or should

she have stuck to the path that had already been chosen for her?
IP
Justify your choice in detail.

SH
Answer in 120-150 words
i Imagine Sophie’s father finds out about Sophie’s going to the canal to
meet Danny Casey which leads him to think that she has lied to
everyone about the whole affair. He is infuriated and prohibits Sophie
from going anywhere except to school.
35
As Geoff, write a diary entry disapproving of your father’s punishment by

citing your reasons for being sympathetic to Sophie.
You may begin this way:
Monday, 2 September 1940 9 PM
I cannot get myself to stand with father in his tirade against Sophie.
Sure, she is not the
most...
A
ii Imagine Sophie meets Danny Casey after several years.
HR
Write a dialogue exchange between them where Sophie explains what
that meeting means to her.
IS
iii ‘Their mother sighed. Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink
M
and wondered at the incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her
apron strings.’ The prose selection, Going Places includes this telling
comment about Sophie’s mother. In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, we are told
RA
that - ‘The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band Sits heavily upon
Aunt Jennifer’s Hand.’
IP
Imagine a conversation between Sophie’s mother and Aunt Jennifer.

Create this exchange with reference to the two extracts given above.
SH
You may begin the conversation like this … Sophie’s mother: Your
embroidery is so beautiful. Do you love tigers?
36

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YOUTUBE CHANNEL : SHIPRA MISHRA

about adolescence when people are often found daydreaming about

the seemingly impossible. Furthermore, at this age, most teenagers

3. No use in building castles in the air

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

would hold back on her comments. Jansie is a sensible individual. She is

a. instant relevance to school-leavers' lives

speaking it was as though he was away somewhere, out there in the

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

then we just talked a bit. About the clothes in Royce’s window. He

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

a. She asks her to be strong

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

a. Because he loved her and feared to loose her

1. Why is Sophie so attracted to Danny?

NCERT PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION:

● Sophie comes from a family with financial difficulties and aspires to

does. She is therefore considering how Geoff will be disappointed

● She yet continues to fantasise about him and is convinced that

Despite her low-income, she fantasises about becoming a fashion

designer or owning a boutique. She refuses to accept the reality that, in

reserved in nature. She constructs castles in the air in front of him by

He is the family’s eldest child and works as a mechanic. He even owns a

She is the family’s housekeeper and is described as having no affection

NCERT QUESTION ANSWERS:

differences between them that show up in the story?

unrealistic nature. Geoff's profession reflects their socioeconomic status.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS:

neighbourhood would be privy to her story.

Yes, Geoff broke his promise to Sophie. He revealed Sophie’s secret to

he was sceptical and assumed it was one of Sophie’s wild stories. He

(Comptt. All India 2012)

Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence? (All India 2013)

Sophie’s brother’s hallmark is his silence. Sophie feels “words have to

What is unrealistic about Sophie’s dreams of her future life? (Comptt.

to own a boutique and become an actress, but in reality, she was

Why does Jansie discourage Sophie from living in a world of fantasy?

STAND ALONE MCQs:

(a) Hidden Alley

(a) his secretary would not allow it

(a) called her a liar

Why sophie was feeling bad by thinking of her brother?

Geoff did not go to school for about ____

a. Noisy and grumpy

a. Selective and precise

7. Why did Sophie want to be admitted into Geoff’s affections? (Comptt.

(Comptt. Delhi 2013)

Long answer Questions:

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract

a) Sophie’s parents’ marriage was an example of harmony and affection.

b) Sophie’s relationship with her parents was warm and friendly.

c) Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached.

ii Choose the option that supports the contention coming through

a) Derek thought his sister to be unreasonable at times.

b) Derek had no faith in Sophie’s abilities to open a boutique.