- 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
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Revision Notes & Summary
TopNotes 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 Test – MCQs, True/False
TopMultiple Choice Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Step 1: Practicing the Concepts
Going Places
Step 2: Master Boss Exam
Locked • Full Phase AssessmentStep 3: Redemption Arena
Locked • AI Weakness TrackerTrue or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
It is mentioned that Sophie and Jansie were earmarked for the biscuit factory.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt mentions that Sophie and her family regularly went to watch United play.
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 was described as quiet and not someone who shared his thoughts easily.
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: True
Solution:
Sophie claimed to have met Danny Casey in the arcade, although the story suggests it might be a fantasy.
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:
Sophie experienced a tightening in her throat when observing her family's financial struggles.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The text discusses the use of present participles to show actions happening at the same time.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
Jansie mentions that they are both earmarked for the biscuit factory.
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