Chapter 8: Going Places – A.R. Barton
NCERT SOLUTION
Page 77 – Comprehension Check
Q1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
Answer: They were earmarked to work in the biscuit factory.
Q2. What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?
Answer: Sophie dreamt of becoming a boutique owner, manager, actress, or fashion designer. Jansie discouraged her because such dreams were unrealistic for their financial condition; they were destined for ordinary factory jobs.
Page 79 – Comprehension Check
Q1. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Answer: She wriggled uneasily because she feared her father’s disbelieving and aggressive reaction.
Q2. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Answer: Geoff is doubtful but not dismissive. He finds her story unlikely but does not reject it outright, partly because he wants to believe her.
Q3. Does her father believe her story?
Answer: No, he dismisses it as one of Sophie’s wild fantasies.
Q4. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
Answer: She imagines riding with Geoff on his motorcycle, wearing stylish clothes, exploring exotic places and meeting new people. Geoff symbolises her entry into a larger, glamorous world.
Q5. Which country did Danny Casey play for?
Answer: He played for Ireland.
Page 83 – Understanding the Text
Q1. Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
Answer: Sophie is dreamy, ambitious, and imaginative, while Jansie is practical, realistic, and grounded. Sophie fantasises about glamour, but Jansie accepts their destined life in the factory.
Q2. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Answer: He is practical, hardworking, and dismissive of Sophie’s fantasies. He is aggressive at times, cynical about her dreams, and more interested in football and the pub than in Sophie’s ambitions.
Q3. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Answer: Sophie admired Geoff’s silence and mysterious life. He symbolised the adult, unknown world of freedom and opportunities that Sophie longed to enter.
Q4. 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 family. Indicators: her father’s manual labour, cramped steamy house, mother’s tiredness, Derek’s teasing, and their destined future in a biscuit factory.
Page 83 – Short Questions
Q1. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Answer: Because Jansie was nosey and would spread the story to the whole neighbourhood, creating trouble at home.
Q2. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
Answer: No, her meeting was imaginary. It was her adolescent fantasy born from hero-worship.
Q3. Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
Answer: She saw him only during football matches when he played for United, once scoring a goal she witnessed with pride.
Page 84 – Talking about the Text
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Sophie’s dreams and disappointments exist only in her imagination; they show her desire to escape reality.
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Teenage fantasies provide hope, ambition, and joy, but can also lead to frustration, disappointment, and escapism.
Page 84 – Working with Words
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“Words had to be prized out of him like stones out of a ground.” → Geoff spoke very little; it was hard to make him talk.
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“Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.” → She felt emotional, uneasy, or anxious.
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“If he keeps his head on his shoulders.” → If he remains sensible and avoids distractions.
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“On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to the United.” → Their regular, devoted visit to watch United’s match.
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“She saw… him ghost past the lumbering defenders.” → He moved swiftly and smoothly past heavy defenders.
Page 85 – Noticing Form
Examples of present participle use:
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“Coming home from school, Sophie said…”
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“Linking arms with her, Jansie looked doubtful.”
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“Staring far down the street, Sophie said…”
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“Knowing they were both earmarked, Jansie became melancholy.”
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“Leaving Jansie standing in the rain, Sophie turned in.”
Other examples from the story: sitting at the table, waiting in the arcade, imagining his coming, balancing against doubts, walking by the canal.
Page 85 – Thinking about Language
Examples of colloquial/informal words:
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“chuffed” = delighted
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“nosey” = inquisitive
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“gawky” = awkward
Other examples: “bloke,” “mate,” “cool,” “kiddo,” “mess up,” “hang out,” “dude,” “ain’t,” “gonna,” “yikes.”
Page 85 – Writing
Q: Think of a person you would like as your role model. Write down points/questions for a TV interview.
Answer (Sample):
Role model: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Questions:
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What inspired you to become a scientist?
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How did you face failures in life?
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What message do you have for Indian youth?
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How important are humility and simplicity in leadership?
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What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Page 85 – Things to Do
Q: Other stories/movies with hero-worship themes:
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Bend It Like Beckham (film – sports idolisation).
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Rockstar (film – musical idolisation).
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Fan (film – Bollywood hero worship).
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Stories of fans of Sachin Tendulkar or Lionel Messi.
