This post is for CBSE Class 12 English Core NCERT Textbook ‘Flamingo’ questions and answers for the lesson ‘Going Places’, including in-text questions and chapter-end exercises. For more study resources like this, click here.
Intext-Questions – Think as you read
(Page 79)
Q 1. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
Ans: The two girls, Sophie and Jansie, were most likely to find work at the biscuit factory after school. Jansie mentions this several times, indicating that it was a practical and common option for girls like them.
Q.2 What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?
Ans: Sophie was dreaming of having a boutique, becoming a manager, or even an actress or fashion designer. She believed she could achieve these goals, imagining herself successful and admired. Jansie, however, discourages Sophie from these dreams because they are unrealistic and impractical. She knows the harsh reality of their financial situation and that their only likely job opportunity would be at the factory. She worries that Sophie’s dreams are too far-fetched.
(Page 81)
Q 1. Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
Ans: Sophie wriggled because she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. She was afraid that her father would not believe her story about meeting Danny Casey and would make fun of her, as he had done before.
Q 2. Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Ans: No, Geoff does not believe Sophie’s story. He is sceptical and mocks her for her wild imagination, thinking it’s an unlikely event. He does not take her seriously, even though he repeats her story to their father.
Q 3. Does her father believe her story?
Ans: No, her father does not believe Sophie’s story. He dismisses it as another of her wild stories and does not take her seriously, showing his usual scepticism and lack of faith in her claims.
Q 4. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
Ans: Sophie imagines herself being included in Geoff’s life in the future. She fantasizes about riding behind him on his motorcycle, wearing a yellow dress with a cape, and dreams of having an adventurous life with him, even though he doesn’t share her excitement.
Q 5. Which country did Danny Casey play for?
Ans: Danny Casey played for Ireland. He was described as an Irish football prodigy, and Sophie is very proud of him, especially after he scored a goal during a match for his team.
(Page 85)
Q 1. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
Ans: Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story because she felt it was something special and personal between her and Danny. She feared Jansie would spread the story and it would become public gossip. Sophie also wanted to keep the fantasy intact without anyone doubting or making fun of her.
Q 2: Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
Ans: No, Sophie did not actually meet Danny Casey. Her meeting with him was purely a fantasy. She imagined the entire encounter, believing she had spoken to him and even arranged to meet again. However, in reality, it never happened.
Q 3: Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
Ans: The only time Sophie saw Danny Casey in person was during a football match. She watched him play for his team, United, where he scored a goal. Sophie was proud of him and felt connected to him through her fantasy of having met him earlier.
Textbook Exercise Q&A – Going Places
Understanding the text
Q 1. Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
Ans: Sophie and Jansie: Differences between them:
Sophie and Jansie were classmates and friends, but they had different outlooks on life. Sophie was dreamy and full of fantasies, imagining a better life through her encounter with Danny Casey. She had big ambitions and loved to dream of an exciting future. In contrast, Jansie was more practical and grounded. She discouraged Sophie’s dreams, saying that it was unlikely that Sophie’s fantasy would come true and emphasizing the realities of their lives. Jansie’s more realistic approach contrasted with Sophie’s hope for a brighter future.
Q 2. How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Ans: Character and temperament of Sophie’s father Sophie’s father was a hardworking, practical man who seemed uninterested in Sophie’s dreams. His demeanor was often gruff and he showed disdain for Sophie’s fantasies, believing them to be unrealistic. He was grumpy and tired after a long day’s work, and didn’t share his daughter’s idealism. However, he was also somewhat apathetic, not really engaging deeply with his children or their emotions. His main focus seemed to be on providing for his family and enjoying his time at the pub.
Q 3: Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Ans: Sophie liked her brother Geoff more than any other person because he symbolized the world beyond her. He was mature, independent, and had a life that seemed exciting and far away from the mundane life Sophie knew. Sophie was jealous of his silence and the mystery around him, thinking that he was part of a world full of adventure and possibilities. Geoff’s independence and maturity made him the embodiment of the freedom Sophie longed for, and she wished to be part of his life.
Q 4. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
Ans: Sophie’s socio-economic background and indicators of her family’s financial status Sophie came from a working-class background. The indicators of her family’s financial status include the cramped and messy home, with dirty washing piled up and a father working hard without much luxury. Her family could not afford many luxuries, as seen in their humble living conditions. Sophie’s dreams of buying a boutique or having a more glamorous life highlight the gap between her fantasy world and her real-life circumstances, showing that she was longing for something better than what her socio-economic reality offered.
Talking about the text
Discuss in pairs.
1. Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind.
Ans: Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are largely shaped by her imagination and fantasies. Throughout the story, she creates a world of excitement, where she believes in a future with great possibilities—like meeting Danny Casey, becoming famous, and experiencing a life beyond her current circumstances. However, these dreams are not based on reality. She imagines meeting Danny Casey in the arcade and even believes he will come to meet her again, which doesn’t happen. Her disappointments stem from the gap between her dreams and her real-life experiences.
While her dreams give her a sense of hope, the story shows that these fantasies often lead to disappointment because they are not grounded in the real world. For instance, when she waits for Danny Casey at the canal, she is left feeling sad and despondent when he doesn’t show up. This illustrates how Sophie’s dreams create an emotional burden for her, making her feel isolated and misunderstood, particularly when others, like Geoff and her father, don’t believe her stories.
In the end, Sophie’s dreams are a form of escape from her daily life, but they lead her to disappointment when faced with the reality that not all of her fantasies will come true.
2. It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such fantasising?
Ans: Benefits of Fantasising:
- Creativity and Imagination: Fantasising helps teenagers develop creativity. It allows them to imagine possibilities beyond their current reality, sparking new ideas and interests.
- Hope and Motivation: Dreams provide teenagers with a sense of hope and motivation. They can be inspired to work hard toward a better future by envisioning success or fulfilment.
- Escape from Reality: Fantasy offers a safe escape from stressful or difficult situations, helping teenagers cope with emotions like anxiety, fear, or low self-esteem.
- Self-Discovery: Dreams can help teenagers explore their personal desires, interests, and aspirations, which may eventually guide them toward setting goals and finding their true passions.
Disadvantages of Fantasising:
- Disappointment and Frustration: If teenagers invest too much in unrealistic dreams, they may face disappointment when these fantasies don’t materialize, leading to sadness and frustration.
- Detachment from Reality: Excessive fantasising may cause teenagers to ignore practical steps to achieve their goals. This can hinder their growth and prevent them from taking real action.
- Unrealistic Expectations: When teenagers focus too much on dreams without considering challenges, they may set themselves up for failure by having unrealistic expectations.
- Isolation: Sometimes, teenagers who live too much in their fantasy world may feel isolated from others who are more grounded in reality, leading to a sense of disconnection.
In conclusion, while fantasising can have positive effects by boosting creativity and providing hope, it can also lead to disappointment and detachment from real-world responsibilities if not balanced properly.
Thinking about language
Q. Notice these words in the story.
- “chuffed”, meaning delighted or very pleased
- “nosey”, meaning inquisitive
- “gawky”, 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: Here are a few informal, colloquial words commonly used in speech:
- Bummed – feeling sad or disappointed
- Freaked out – to become very anxious or scared
- Bloke – a man
- Chill – to relax or calm down
- Gutted – very disappointed or upset
- Wasted – very drunk or exhausted
- Cram – to study intensively in a short time
- Cool – good, impressive, or okay
- Lush – something luxurious or attractive (also used to describe a drink)
- Grub – food
- Bummer – disappointment or bad experience
- Bloke – man or guy
- Chill – relax or calm down
- Cram – to study intensively in a short period of time
- Dude – a person, often used to refer to a male friend
- Freaked out – scared, surprised, or anxious
- Hang out – spend time together casually
- Kinda – kind of, somewhat
- Miffed – annoyed or upset
- Rip-off – something overpriced or unfair
