CBSE Class 12 English Core Flamingo Book Chapter 8 Going Places Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
Going Places Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Chapter 8, “Going Places”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. What inference can you draw about Sophie’s relationship with her father from the story ‘Going Places’? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Sophie’s relationship with her father is strained and distant. He dismisses her dreams as unrealistic, showing a lack of support and understanding. This suggests a gap between her aspirations and his practical mindset.
Q2. Does Sophie’s father believe her story of meeting Danny Casey? Discuss. [40-50 Words]
Ans. No, he does not believe Geoff when he tells him that Sophie had met Danny Casey. He says that it was another of Sophie’s wild stories which would one day lead her into a lot of trouble.
Q3. Bring out the contrast between Jansie and Sophie in the story ‘Going Places’. [40-50 Words]
Ans. Jansie is practical and realistic, concerned about the future and societal expectations, while Sophie is dreamer and imaginative, living in a world of fantasies and unrealistic ambitions, which leads to a contrast in their perspectives on life.
Q4. ‘Resignation was no sudden thing.’ What is the implication of this remark in the context of Sophie’s character? 40-50 Words]
Ans. The remark implies that Sophie’s acceptance of her reality was gradual and reluctant. Sophie often daydreams about a glamorous life far removed from her mundane existence. Her resignation to her real situation reflects her gradual realization that her fantasies may never come true, highlighting her inner conflict between dreams and reality.
Q5. ‘Soaf, you really should be sensible !’ What does Jansie’s advice to her friend Sophie reveal about their friendship? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Jansie’s advice to Sophie reveals that she cares for her friend and is practical and grounded. She tries to protect Sophie from getting carried away by unrealistic dreams, showing a sense of responsibility and concern in their friendship.
Q6. ‘Jansie, knowing they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory, became melancholy’.
What inference about Jansie’s character is drawn from the above line? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Jansie is realistic and resigned to her fate. She knows that she and Sophie are destined for mundane jobs in the biscuit factory and does not indulge in unrealistic dreams, unlike Sophie.
Q7. Umberto Eco (The Interview) has a talk with Danny Casey from the story “Going Places”. Danny, being a football prodigy, feels his popularity may affect his game as he can’t devote much time to it. What advice will Umberto Eco give Danny about time management? Write a paragraph on the interaction between the two and the advice given by Umberto Eco. [120-150 Words]
Ans. In their conversation, Umberto Eco would likely advise Danny Casey on the importance of structured time management to balance his professional commitments and personal life. Eco, known for his prolific writing and academic work, would suggest that Danny create a detailed schedule that allocates specific time slots for practice, games, and public appearances, while also ensuring time for rest and personal interests. Eco might highlight the importance of prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities when possible, and setting boundaries to protect his time from being consumed entirely by public demands. By managing his time effectively, Danny can maintain his performance on the field while also enjoying the benefits of his popularity without feeling overwhelmed. Eco’s advice would focus on finding a sustainable balance that allows Danny to excel both as an athlete and a public figure, emphasizing the significance of discipline and strategic planning in achieving long-term success.
Q8. After reading ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger’ and ‘Going Places’, you realise that Aunt Jennifer and Sophie’s mother have been subdued by their respective husbands.
As a social activist you have to write an article to a newspaper on the need to empower women.
You may begin like this.
Empowerment of women is a very essential social reform. It needs to be accelerated for any nation to progress ……… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Empowerment of Women: A Vital Social Reform
Empowerment of women is a very essential social reform. It needs to be accelerated for any nation to progress. Women like Aunt Jennifer and Sophie’s mother have been subdued by societal norms and their husbands’ dominance. This highlights the urgent need to empower women to break free from such constraints.
Empowering women means providing them with education, economic independence, and equal opportunities. It involves changing societal attitudes that perpetuate gender discrimination and encouraging women to assert their rights. By doing so, women can contribute significantly to society’s growth and development.
Creating awareness, implementing supportive policies, and fostering an environment of respect and equality are crucial steps towards women’s empowerment. Let us work together to ensure that every woman can live with dignity, freedom, and equal opportunities.
Q9. “Well I’ll be a manager then – yes, of course – to begin with.” (Going Places)
Sophie (Going Places) lives in a world of fantasy. Douglas (Deep Water) faces reality and realises the importance of learning how to swim. Analyse based on the two texts the importance of doing things rather than mere dreaming.
Write an article on how the youth of today must inculcate an attitude of doing rather than dreaming.
You may begin –
The youth today must …… [120-150 Words]
Ans. The youth today must realize the importance of actions. Let us not undermine the importance of planning but execution is irreplaceable. At times, we end up overthinking due to which we get sluggish and miss the opportunity to act. In the story Going Places we see the character of Sophie. She is a dreamer and ends up daydreaming. Sophie just talks about her fantasies which are unreal and irrelevant in her real life. Thus, the fantasies only help her weave a dreamy world which is quiet opposed to her grim reality. On the opposite, the character of William Douglas shows us to be practical. William wants to fulfil his wish of swimming in natural waters and so, he decides to overcome the fear. He is determined and gets rid of the fear. Thus, we see how action-oriented approach leads him to success and achievement of goals.
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
“Or an actress. Now there’s real money in that. Yes, and I could may be have the boutique on the side. Actresses don’t 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 I ever come into money I’ll 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 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.
(i) Sophie wants to become an actress to
(a) become famous
(b) to earn money
(c) to support her father
(d) to compete with Jansie
Ans. (b) to earn money
(ii) Jansie wanted Sophie to spend her money on
(a) her marriage
(b) her career
(c) to open a boutique
(d) buying a house
Ans. (d) buying a house
(iii) Sophie is daydreaming about ____________.
Ans. becoming an actress or a fashion designer.
(iv) The phrase ‘money grows on trees’ indicates that Sophie ____________.
Ans. is over ambitious
(v) Sophie’s mother’s sigh is one of
(a) regret
(b) delight
(c) relief
(d) helplessness
Ans. (d) helplessness
(vi) From the extract Jansie comes across as a _____ person.
(a) practical
(b) dominating
(c) immature
(d) starstruck
Ans. (a) practical
Q2. Why did Sophie wish to delve more deeply in ‘her brother’s affections’? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Sophie wanted to know more about her brother’s feelings because he listened to her crazy stories and kept them to himself. She thought the world Geoff went to was interesting, and she was already imagining herself following him there on a horse. She was sure that everyone would be happy to see her.
Q3. Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Sophie’s brother Geoff remained silent and so, was mysterious to Sophie. There were areas of his life about which she knew nothing. She wanted to know all these mysteries of his, she wanted to accompany him and know about his affairs of which he did not speak.
Q4. Fantasising and unrealistic dreams sometimes lead to disappointment and disillusionment. Discuss this with reference to the story ‘Going Places’. [120-150 Words]
Ans. In the story “Going Places,” Sophie, the protagonist, is a daydreamer who fantasizes about a glamorous and successful life beyond her modest means. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer, an actress, or a manager, despite her family’s financial struggles and her limited opportunities. Sophie’s unrealistic dreams lead her to fabricate stories about meeting her idol, the footballer Danny Casey, which she shares with her friend and brother.
However, these fantasies only set her up for disappointment and disillusionment. When her dreams inevitably clash with reality, Sophie is left feeling disheartened and unfulfilled. Her escapist tendencies prevent her from appreciating the simple joys of her current life and from making realistic plans for her future. The story highlights the dangers of living in a world of fantasies and the importance of grounding one’s aspirations in reality to avoid the pain of unmet expectations.
Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each of them :
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.
(i) Who is ‘she’?
Ans. Sophie
(ii) Who was she waiting for?
Ans. Danny Casey
(iii) Why did lovers like this place for their meetings?
Ans. It was solitary
(iv) What was special about this meeting?
Ans. It was a romantic date
Q2. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each of them :
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) Who is ‘she’? Who is ‘he’?
Ans. Sophie and Danny Casey
(ii) Why did ‘she’ doubt that ‘he’ would not come?
Ans. He was a famous footballer and would be occupied somewhere else.
(iii) When did ‘she’ realise that ‘he’ would not come?
Ans. After some time passed, she realised that he would not come.
(iv) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to the word ‘certainty’?
Ans. doubt
Q3. Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her meeting with Danny Casey? [30-40 words]
Ans. Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know this because it was something special which she wanted to share with Geoff only. She feared that Jansie would not keep the secret to herself.
Q4. Why is Jansie so critical of Sophie? [30-40 words]
Ans. Jansie is practical and finds Sophie’s plans to be unrealistic. Thus, she is critical and tries to make Sophie realize the reality.
Q5. Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey? [30-40 words]
Ans. All the men in Sophie’s family – her dad and brothers are football fans. Every Saturday, the family goes on a trip to watch their favourite team – United play. Danny Casey is a star player of the United and they all adore him. She is attracted towards his appearance too – a blend of innocence and Irish genius.
Q6. What was Sophie’s first choice of job after completing her school? How did she hope to succeed in her aim? [30-40 words]
Ans. Her first choice was to own a boutique like Mary Quant. She would find the money needed for it.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. What is wrong with Jansie’s outlook on life? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Jansie is too pragmatic towards how she perceives things to be. She is not flexible about her dreams and believes that she will continue to be in the position that they currently live in. Jansie is realistic and constantly keeps Sophie’s day-dreaming in check.
Q2. Why did Jansie not approve of Sophie’s dream? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Jansie, being best friend of sophie did not want that sophie feel any problem by dreaming high since they were earmarked for the biscuit factory. Moreover they belonged to a small family where they had no right to even think bigger.
Q3. What do we know about the family life of Sophie? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Sophie belonged to a middle-class family. Her father did labour job and her mother, house wife did household chores. Her elder brother Geoff was a mechanic while the younger one, Derek, perhaps was a student. The father and the kids were football fans and every Saturday, made a pilgrimage to watch United team play.
Q4. How is Jansie wiser than Sophie? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Jansie is wiser than Sophie because she is practical. Jansie is realistic and knows their families have limitations. She does not day-dream like Sophie.
Q5. Sophie flits from one dream to another. What trait of her character is brought out by this action? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Sophie’s flitting from one dream to another reveals that she enjoyed living in her world of dreams which provided her the refuge that she needed from her middle- class reality. Sophie is an incurable escapist who does not want to come out of her dreamland.
Q6. What is your impression of Sophie’s brother Geoff? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Geoff is elder to Sophie and is an apprentice mechanic. He lives in his own world and hardly interacts with Sophie which makes him appear secretive. He is a football fan. He does not believe Sophie when she tells him that she had met Danny Casey.
Q7. Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a girl who lives in her dreams. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. It is a natural thing for teenagers to dream. It is a part of their life but sometimes these dreams are impractical and non-realistic and when they are shattered, they cause a lot of pain. In the story ‘Going Places’, the author has described the feelings and dreams of such a girl Sophie who was a school-going teenager. She was a day-dreamer who fantasizes her future life with Danny Casey, a football player from Ireland. She dreamt of having met him twice in the arcade. For her, he was the hero to be worshipped. She also thought of owning a boutique despite her weak financial status. She was blind to the bitter truth of life. She dreamt of an imaginary life, full of beautiful things. She also dreamt of becoming an actress as there was lot of money and fame in that profession. She wanted to be a fashion designer too. Overall, she wanted to lead a lavish and a grand life against which her father and friend Jansie had warned her. Her dreams were unrealistic in the sense that ultimately she would have to work in a biscuit factory as planned. She wanted to have the things which were impossible.
Q8. What was Sophie’s dream? How was it unrealistic? How was she different from Jansie? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Sophie dreamt of becoming a famous fashion designer. She wanted to own a boutique in the city like Mary Quant. It was unrealistic because following such career options required a lot of monetary investment which her family did not have. Sophie differed from Jansie because of her ambitions and far fetched ideas. Jansie was grounded and practical. She would present the reality to Sophie and would reprimand her for being impractical.
Q9. What did Sophie tell her father and her brother about her `meeting(s)’ with Danny Casey? How did each of them react? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Danny Casey was a young footballer who played for Ireland. Sophie considered him a hero whom she worshipped. She was always occupied with his thoughts. She told her brother Geoff that she had met Danny Casey in the arcade while she was looking at the clothes in Royce’s window. Casey came and stood by her. She recognized him and then they started talking. Then she asked for an autograph but neither of them had a pen or paper. She further told her brother that Danny’s eyes were green. He was gentle but was not very tall. When her brother told about this to their father, he didn’t believe in her story at all as he knew her habit of indulging in wild fantasies. His expression was one of disdain. He called this story as one of her many wild stories and warned her against them as they would land her in trouble.
Q10. It is not unusual for a lower middle class girl to dream big. How unrealistic were Sophie’s dreams? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Sophie was a middle class girl who had great aspirations. To achieve a glamorous and sophisticated life, she wanted to own a boutique after she finished school. She felt she could save the money by working as a manager, or maybe become an actress as there was real money in it. She was a romantic, who was far removed from reality. Sophie did not have a decent house to live in; her father worked hard to fend for the family and her brother was a mechanic. Her mother worked hard to do the household chores daily. But Sophie dreamt of doing something beyond all this and wanted to own a shop like Mary Quant, which would be the most amazing shop that the city had ever seen. She also longed to go to places she had never seen. These places lured her towards them because they were distant and mysterious. Sophie’s dreams would never come true as they were unrealistic and not laced with practicality.
Q11. What dream world does Sophie live in? How is Jansie different from her? [120 – 150 words]
OR
Both Sophie and Jansie belong to the same social background yet their attitudes are so very different. Comment. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Sophie lives in a dream world where she imagines to grow up and become a fashion designer. She desires her brother’s company and imagines him wearing shiny black leathers, herself in a yellow dress with a flowing cape, sitting on his bike, being greeted with applause. She wants acceptance from her father and brothers and in order to attract their attention, she cooks up a story of meeting the football star player Danny Casey.
Jansie is the opposite of Sophie. She is realistic and practical. She knows that they are destined to work at the biscuit factory. She request Sophie also to be realistic.
Also see:
Going Places Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
Going Places Summary, Explanation
Going Places Character Sketches