Question Bank — Going Places

QUESTION BANK

Going Places – A.R. Barton (Flamingo, Class XII)

Section A — MCQs (10 × 1 = 10 marks)

1. Sophie dreams of opening a boutique because she wants to
   (a) become rich quickly
   (b) escape her working-class reality
   (c) impress her father
   (d) help Jansie

2. Jansie’s reaction to Sophie’s plans is best described as
   (a) enthusiastic
   (b) realistic and melancholy
   (c) indifferent
   (d) jealous

3. Assertion (A): Geoff is the only person in whom Sophie confides her meeting with Danny Casey.
   Reason (R): She feels Geoff is the only one who might believe her and keep the secret.
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   (c) A is true but R is false.
   (d) A is false but R is true.

4. The phrase “words had to be prized out of him like stones out of the ground” suggests that Geoff was
   (a) talkative
   (b) reserved and uncommunicative
   (c) angry
   (d) illiterate

5. Sophie’s father’s attitude towards her story about Danny Casey is one of
   (a) pride
   (b) disbelief and disdain
   (c) amusement
   (d) indifference

6. Assertion (A): Sophie waits by the canal even though she knows Danny Casey may not come.
   Reason (R): She wants to prove to her family that her story is true.
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   (c) A is true but R is false.
   (d) A is false but R is true.

7. The word “chuffed” as used in the story means
   (a) disappointed
   (b) delighted
   (c) confused
   (d) angry

8. Sophie feels a “tightening in her throat” when she observes
   (a) her father eating
   (b) the contrast between her mother’s delicate bow and her stooped back
   (c) Geoff working on his motorcycle
   (d) Derek playing

9. Danny Casey is described as
   (a) tall and arrogant
   (b) a young Irish prodigy with gentle green eyes
   (c) an English footballer
   (d) a fashion designer

10. The central theme of the story revolves around
    (a) the glamour of professional football
    (b) adolescent fantasising and hero-worship
    (c) the importance of saving money
    (d) family disputes over career choices

Section B — Reference to Context (3 × 4 = 12 marks)

Extract 1

“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.

1. Who is the speaker of the first line and to whom is she speaking?
2. What does Sophie’s statement reveal about her character?
3. Identify the literary device used in “linking arms with her”.
4. Why does Jansie look “doubtful”?

Extract 2

“He sat frowning at the oily component he cradled in his hands, as though it were a small dumb animal and he was willing it to speak.”

1. Who is “he” in the above lines?
2. What does the comparison reveal about the person’s nature?
3. Name the figure of speech used in the extract.
4. Why is Sophie watching him so intently?

Extract 3

“Here I sit, she said to herself, wishing Danny would come… I feel the pangs of doubt stirring inside me.”

1. Where is Sophie sitting and why?
2. What change is taking place in Sophie’s mind?
3. Identify the literary device in “pangs of doubt stirring inside me”.
4. What does this moment tell us about the gap between Sophie’s dreams and reality?

Section C — Short Answer Questions (5 × 3 = 15 marks)

(Answer in 40–50 words each)

1. Why does Jansie discourage Sophie from dreaming about a boutique or becoming an actress?
2. How does Sophie’s relationship with her father differ from her relationship with Geoff?
3. What does the description of Sophie’s house and family tell us about their socio-economic background?
4. Why does Sophie feel jealous of Geoff’s silence?
5. What is the significance of the “amber glow” of the table lamp in Geoff’s room?

Section D — Long Answer Questions (2 × 6 = 12 marks)

(Answer in 100–120 words each)

1. Sophie’s world is full of dreams that clash with her reality. Discuss with reference to her family background and her fantasies about Danny Casey.
2. Draw a character sketch of Geoff as seen through Sophie’s eyes. What does he symbolise for her?

Section E — Language and Writing (2 × 4 = 8 marks)

1. Vocabulary/Grammar task
   From the story, pick out any four present participles used to show two actions happening at the same time. Write the sentences and underline the participles.

2. Short Writing Task
   Imagine you are Sophie. Write a diary entry (80–100 words) on the evening you waited by the canal for Danny Casey, expressing your hopes and the feeling of disappointment that followed.