- Understand the theme of adolescent hero-worship and fantasising.
- Analyze the use of present participles to indicate simultaneity of action in sentences.
- Identify and explain colloquial expressions and metaphorical language in the text.
- Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of unrealistic dreams in teenagers.
- Explore character relationships, particularly between Sophie and her family and friends.
- Infer meanings of specific expressions from the context of the story.
- Reflect on the socio-economic background of characters and its impact on their aspirations.
Going Places
Learning Objectives
Detailed Notes
Notes on 'Going Places'
About the Author
- A. R. Barton is a modern writer residing in Zurich, writing in English.
Theme
- Adolescent Hero-Worship and Fantasising
- Sub-Theme: Relationships - family, friends.
Language and Expressions
- Colloquial Expressions: Informal words used in speech.
- Examples:
- “chuffed” - meaning delighted or very pleased
- “nosey” - meaning inquisitive
- “gawky” - meaning awkward, ungainly
- Examples:
- Metaphorical Expressions:
- “Words had to be prized out of him like stones out of a ground.”
- “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.”
- “If he keeps his head on his shoulders.”
Present Participles
- Used to indicate simultaneity of action.
- Example: “Sophie said, coming home from school.”
- Present participles can be used without helping verbs to show actions happening at the same time.
Characters
- Sophie: Dreams of having a boutique, admires Danny Casey.
- Jansie: Friend of Sophie, often doubts her dreams.
- Geoff: Sophie's brother, an apprentice mechanic, represents a world of experience.
- Sophie’s Father: Skeptical of Sophie’s dreams, represents the harsh realities of life.
Key Events
- Sophie fantasizes about meeting Danny Casey and dreams of a future as a boutique owner.
- The story explores the contrast between Sophie’s dreams and the reality of her socio-economic background.
Discussion Points
- Discuss the nature of Sophie's dreams and disappointments.
- Explore the benefits and disadvantages of teenage fantasising.
- Analyze the differences between Sophie and Jansie.
- Consider the socio-economic background of Sophie’s family.
Important Quotes
- “I’ll be like Mary Quant, Sophie said. I’ll be a natural.”
- “He seemed lonely. After all, it’s a long way from the west of Ireland.”
- “It is a hard thing, this sadness.”
Activities
- Pick out five sentences from the story using present participles.
- Create a list of ten colloquial words.
- Write down points for an interview with a role model.
Practice & Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
A.
She is pragmatic and realistic.
B.
She is ambitious and imaginative.
C.
She is content with her current life.
D.
She is uninterested in fashion.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie's dream of having a boutique reveals her ambition and imagination, as she envisions a future beyond her current socio-economic status.
A.
Metaphor
B.
Simile
C.
Imagery
D.
Personification
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Imagery is used to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind about Sophie's imagined meeting with Danny Casey, such as describing his eyes and the setting.
A.
She is angry with her mother.
B.
She is overwhelmed by the incongruity of her mother's appearance and their living conditions.
C.
She is excited about her future plans.
D.
She is feeling unwell.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie feels a tightening in her throat due to the incongruity of her mother's delicate apron bow and their grim living conditions.
A.
Meeting a famous actor
B.
Danny Casey coming to meet her
C.
Her future as a successful businesswoman
D.
Winning a lottery
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie imagines Danny Casey coming to meet her while she waits by the canal.
A.
He is very talkative.
B.
He is secretive and reserved.
C.
He is aggressive.
D.
He is humorous.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The phrase suggests that Geoff is secretive and reserved, as it implies that he does not speak freely and requires effort to engage in conversation.
A.
It indicates a future action.
B.
It shows simultaneity of actions.
C.
It emphasizes the main action.
D.
It introduces a new character.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The present participle 'linking' is used to show that the action of linking arms is happening at the same time as Jansie looking doubtful.
A.
Sophie's certainty about her future
B.
Sophie's confidence in her abilities
C.
Sophie's uncertainty about Danny Casey's arrival
D.
Sophie's indifference to others' opinions
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The 'pangs of doubt' refer to Sophie's uncertainty and anxiety about whether Danny Casey will actually come to meet her.
A.
Fashion designer
B.
Actress
C.
Boutique owner
D.
Doctor
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Sophie dreams of becoming a fashion designer, an actress, and owning a boutique, but not a doctor.
A.
Chuffed
B.
Nosey
C.
Gawky
D.
Prodigy
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
In the story, 'nosey' is used to mean inquisitive.
A.
He is excited and believes her immediately.
B.
He is skeptical and doubts her story.
C.
He is indifferent and uninterested.
D.
He is angry and confrontational.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Geoff is skeptical and doubts Sophie's story about meeting Danny Casey, as indicated by his disbelief and questioning.
A.
Wealthy and affluent
B.
Middle class
C.
Working class
D.
Upper middle class
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sophie belongs to a working-class background, as indicated by her family's financial status and her father's occupation.
A.
That he will become a famous actor
B.
That he will take her to exotic places
C.
That he will open a boutique with her
D.
That he will become a football player
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie imagines that Geoff will take her to exotic places, as she longs to be more involved in his life.
A.
Adolescent fantasising and hero worship
B.
Economic struggles of a family
C.
The importance of education
D.
Environmental conservation
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The story explores the theme of adolescent fantasising and hero worship, as mentioned in the provided excerpts.
A.
They highlight her dissatisfaction with her current life.
B.
They serve as a plot device to introduce new characters.
C.
They provide comic relief to the story.
D.
They are used to showcase her artistic talents.
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Sophie's fantasies about meeting Danny Casey highlight her dissatisfaction with her current socio-economic status and her yearning for a more glamorous life.
A.
Wealthy and influential
B.
Middle-class and comfortable
C.
Working-class and struggling
D.
Upper-middle-class and stable
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sophie's family is depicted as working-class and struggling, indicated by their financial constraints and her father's grimy appearance after work.
A.
Jealousy of his silence
B.
Pride in his skills
C.
Annoyance at the noise
D.
Indifference
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Sophie feels jealous of Geoff's silence and the areas of his life she knows nothing about.
A.
Her realistic understanding of her social status.
B.
Her tendency to fantasize and escape reality.
C.
Her deep knowledge of football.
D.
Her disinterest in celebrity culture.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie's interaction with Danny Casey in the arcade symbolizes her tendency to fantasize and escape reality, as it is a product of her imagination.
A.
Delighted or very pleased
B.
Inquisitive
C.
Awkward or ungainly
D.
Disappointed
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The term 'chuffed' is used in the story to mean delighted or very pleased.
A.
Simile
B.
Metaphor
C.
Personification
D.
Hyperbole
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The expression uses a simile, comparing the difficulty of getting words from Geoff to extracting stones from the ground.
A.
Delighted or very pleased
B.
Angry or upset
C.
Confused or puzzled
D.
Bored or uninterested
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The word 'chuffed' means delighted or very pleased, as noted in the story.
A.
They are classmates
B.
They are siblings
C.
They are neighbors
D.
They are colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Geoff is Sophie's brother, as indicated in the text.
A.
It indicates a future action.
B.
It shows an action happening simultaneously with another.
C.
It indicates a past action.
D.
It is used to express a hypothetical situation.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The present participle 'coming' indicates that Sophie was coming home from school at the same time she was speaking.
A.
Realistic and achievable
B.
Unrealistic and fanciful
C.
Based on her current job
D.
Focused on her family
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie's dreams are described as unrealistic and fanciful, as she fantasizes about a life far removed from her reality.
A.
She met him at a football match
B.
She met him in the arcade
C.
She met him at school
D.
She met him at a boutique
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie claims she met Danny Casey in the arcade.
A.
They are distant and have little interaction.
B.
Geoff is indifferent to Sophie's dreams.
C.
Sophie admires Geoff and seeks his approval.
D.
They frequently argue and disagree.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
Sophie admires her brother Geoff and seeks his approval, as she shares her dreams and fantasies with him.
A.
Sophie's certainty about her future.
B.
Sophie's fear of physical pain.
C.
Sophie's internal conflict about her fantasies.
D.
Sophie's excitement about meeting new people.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The phrase 'pangs of doubt' signifies Sophie's internal conflict and uncertainty about the reality of her fantasies and whether they will come true.
A.
As a rival for her parents' attention.
B.
As someone who symbolizes freedom and adventure.
C.
As an obstacle to her dreams.
D.
As a mentor who guides her decisions.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie perceives Geoff as someone who symbolizes freedom and adventure, longing to be part of his world beyond their current life.
A.
Sophie's loneliness
B.
A place of secret meetings
C.
The strength of nature
D.
A symbol of hope
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The 'solitary elm' is described as a place where lovers sometimes meet, symbolizing a place of secret meetings.
A.
She is realistic and pragmatic.
B.
She is imaginative and prone to daydreaming.
C.
She is indifferent and uninterested in sports.
D.
She is focused solely on her studies.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie's fantasies about meeting Danny Casey reveal her imaginative nature and tendency to daydream.
A.
Chuffed
B.
Nosey
C.
Gawky
D.
Prodigy
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The word 'gawky' is used in the story to mean awkward or ungainly.
A.
He is very talkative and shares everything with her.
B.
He has a mysterious life that fascinates her.
C.
He is very successful and wealthy.
D.
He is always at home and spends time with her.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie admires Geoff because he has a mysterious life that fascinates her, and she longs to be part of it.
A.
Becoming a teacher
B.
Owning a boutique
C.
Traveling the world
D.
Becoming a doctor
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie fantasizes about owning a boutique, as she expresses her desire to have a shop of her own.
A.
Chuffed
B.
Nosey
C.
Gawky
D.
Prodigy
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The word 'gawky' is used in the story to mean awkward or ungainly.
A.
By showing Sophie's realistic career goals.
B.
By depicting Sophie's indifference to celebrities.
C.
By illustrating Sophie's fantasies about meeting a sports icon.
D.
By focusing on Sophie's academic achievements.
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The story reflects the theme of adolescent hero-worship by illustrating Sophie's fantasies about meeting a sports icon, Danny Casey.
A.
It indicates a past action
B.
It indicates a future action
C.
It indicates an action happening at the same time as another
D.
It indicates a completed action
Correct Answer: C
Solution:
The present participle 'coming' indicates an action happening at the same time as Sophie 'said' something.
A.
A role model for her future career.
B.
A connection to the outside world she longs to explore.
C.
A reminder of her family's financial struggles.
D.
An example of contentment with life.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Geoff symbolizes the outside world that Sophie longs to explore, as she imagines riding behind him into unknown places.
A.
A sequence of unrelated actions.
B.
Simultaneity of actions.
C.
A future plan or intention.
D.
A completed action in the past.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The use of present participles in the story indicates simultaneity of actions, showing two actions happening at the same time.
A.
Becoming a boutique owner
B.
Becoming a teacher
C.
Working in a factory
D.
Becoming a doctor
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Sophie dreams of owning a boutique, as mentioned in the story.
A.
A manager
B.
A boutique owner
C.
An actress
D.
All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
Sophie expresses her dreams of becoming a manager, owning a boutique, and being an actress, showcasing her ambitious nature.
A.
Adolescent hero-worship and fantasising
B.
Economic struggles of a family
C.
The importance of education
D.
The journey of self-discovery
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
The theme of 'Going Places' is adolescent hero-worship and fantasising.
A.
He is supportive and believes her completely.
B.
He dismisses it as one of her wild stories.
C.
He is indifferent and does not react.
D.
He is angry and forbids her from meeting him again.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie's father dismisses her story about meeting Danny Casey as another one of her wild stories.
A.
The challenges of adulthood
B.
Adolescent fantasizing and hero worship
C.
The importance of education
D.
The complexities of friendship
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
A. R. Barton explores the theme of adolescent fantasizing and hero worship, as evidenced by Sophie's dreams about meeting Danny Casey and her aspirations.
A.
She is nervous about meeting Danny Casey
B.
She is upset about her family's financial situation
C.
She is excited about her future plans
D.
She is angry with her brother Geoff
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
Sophie feels a tightening in her throat when she reflects on her family's financial difficulties.
True or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The story 'Going Places' by A. R. Barton indeed explores the themes of adolescent fantasising and hero worship, as mentioned in the provided excerpts.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Geoff was described as quiet and not someone who shared his thoughts easily.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Jansie reminded Sophie that they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory, indicating their expected future employment.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie expressed her desire to open a boutique when she was talking with Jansie, as indicated in the excerpts.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt states that A. R. Barton is a modern writer who lives in Zurich and writes in English.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie felt despondent and sad when she realized that Danny Casey was not going to come to their imagined meeting.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Jansie mentions that they are both earmarked for the biscuit factory.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie's father was skeptical and dismissive of her dreams, as shown by his reaction to her stories and ambitions.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie expressed dreams of becoming a fashion designer or an actress, believing these roles to be sophisticated and lucrative.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The story explores the theme of adolescent fantasising and hero worship.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Jansie expressed doubt about Sophie's story, indicating skepticism.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie mentioned that Danny Casey said he would meet her again to give an autograph.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie and Jansie were both earmarked for the biscuit factory, but Jansie was more realistic about it while Sophie fantasised about other careers.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie fantasized about meeting Danny Casey and having a conversation with him, even though it was not based on reality.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Geoff did not fully believe Sophie's story about meeting Danny Casey, as he expressed skepticism.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
In the story, 'chuffed' means delighted or very pleased.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie expressed a desire to become a manager but was aware that it would not happen immediately.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Geoff expressed disbelief in Sophie's story about meeting Danny Casey and was not supportive of her fantasies.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
It is mentioned that Sophie and Jansie were earmarked for the biscuit factory.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie's father is skeptical and dismisses her story as one of her wild stories.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
According to the excerpts, Danny Casey told Sophie he would meet her again to give her an autograph.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie fantasized about becoming a fashion designer or an actress, as indicated in the excerpts.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt mentions that Sophie and her family regularly went to watch United play.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Geoff was skeptical about Sophie's story of meeting Danny Casey, although he didn't completely dismiss it.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The story is centered around the theme of adolescent fantasising and hero worship, as mentioned in the excerpts.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie glowed with pride when Danny Casey scored a goal, showcasing her admiration for him.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie experienced sadness and resignation when she realized that Danny Casey might not come to meet her.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The story uses present participles to show actions occurring at the same time, as noted in the discussion about language form.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie claimed to have met Danny Casey in the arcade, although the story suggests it might be a fantasy.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie and Jansie were expected to work at a biscuit factory after school, not a boutique.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Geoff expressed disbelief when Sophie claimed she met Danny Casey, indicating his skepticism.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie fantasised about becoming a fashion designer or an actress, despite the impracticality of these dreams.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie fantasised about meeting Danny Casey, but there is no evidence that the meeting actually took place.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie experienced a tightening in her throat when observing her family's financial struggles.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie fantasized about meeting Danny Casey, but in reality, she did not meet him or receive an autograph.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt describes Sophie feeling a tightening in her throat when observing her family's modest living conditions.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie fantasised about meeting Danny Casey; there is no evidence in the text that the meeting actually happened.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Sophie expressed a desire to become a manager but Jansie doubted it would happen immediately, indicating that Sophie was not entirely confident.
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
Jansie discouraged Sophie from having unrealistic dreams, reminding her of their likely future at the biscuit factory.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Sophie dreamed of becoming a fashion designer or an actress, imagining a sophisticated lifestyle.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The author A. R. Barton explores the theme of adolescent fantasising and hero worship in the story 'Going Places'.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The text discusses the use of present participles to show actions happening at the same time.