MP Board 12th English Flemingo Going Places by R. Barton :
📖 Going Places
Author: R. Barton Genre: Fiction / Short Story Theme: Adolescence, dreams vs. reality, fantasy vs. practicality
✍️ About the Author
R. Barton is a modern writer known for exploring adolescent psychology, identity, and aspirations. In Going Places, Barton captures the inner world of a teenage girl torn between imagination and the realities of her life.
👧 Main Characters
- Sophie: A teenage girl full of big dreams, living in a modest working-class family
- Jansie: Sophie’s realistic and grounded best friend
- Geoff: Sophie’s elder brother, reserved and hardworking
- Danny Casey: A famous footballer from Ireland — and Sophie’s imaginary companion
📚 Summary (Short & Simple)
Sophie dreams of a glamorous life — opening a boutique, becoming an actress, or meeting celebrities. Her friend Jansie warns her to be realistic. Sophie imagines meeting Danny Casey, a popular footballer, and even tells Geoff about it. Eventually, she starts believing her fantasy so deeply that it becomes real in her mind.
She waits at a secret place to meet Danny, but he never comes. The story ends with Sophie caught between her beautiful dreams and her dull reality — showing how youthful fantasy often clashes with harsh truths.
🌟 Themes
- Teenage hopes and imagination
- Social class and limitations
- Illusion vs. reality
- Need for acceptance and admiration
📝 Moral / Message
The story shows how youthful ambition must be balanced with realism. While dreaming is natural, we must stay grounded in our circumstances and pursue dreams with effort — not illusion.
Question Answer Going Places by R. Barton
- Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey?
o Answer: Sophie wriggled when Geoff told her father that she had met Danny Casey because she knew her father would not believe her and would dismiss it as another one of her wild stories. She felt uncomfortable and anxious about her father’s reaction.
o जब जियोफ ने अपने पिता को बताया कि उसने डैनी केसी से मुलाकात की है, तो सोफी मचल गई क्योंकि उसे पता था कि उसके पिता उसे नहीं मानेंगे और इसे उसकी एक और झूठी कहानी मानेंगे। उसे अपने पिता की प्रतिक्रिया के बारे में असुविधा और चिंता महसूस हुई। - Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
o Answer: Geoff is skeptical about Sophie’s story of meeting Danny Casey. Although he tells their father about it, he expresses disbelief and questions Sophie further, showing that he does not fully believe her.
o जियोफ सोफी की डैनी केसी से मुलाकात की कहानी पर संदेह करता है। हालांकि उसने उनके पिता को इसके बारे में बताया, लेकिन उसने अविश्वास व्यक्त किया और सोफी से और सवाल पूछे, यह दिखाते हुए कि वह पूरी तरह से उस पर विश्वास नहीं करता। - Does her father believe her story?
o Answer: No, Sophie’s father does not believe her story. He dismisses it as another one of her wild tales and even warns her that she might get into trouble because of her exaggerated stories.
o नहीं, सोफी के पिता उसकी कहानी पर विश्वास नहीं करते। वह इसे उसकी एक और झूठी कहानी मानते हैं और यहां तक कि उसे चेतावनी देते हैं कि उसकी अतिशयोक्ति वाली कहानियों के कारण उसे मुसीबत हो सकती है। - How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
o Answer: Sophie includes her brother Geoff in her fantasy by imagining herself riding on his motorcycle to far-off and exciting places. She envisions herself and Geoff being admired and applauded by people, symbolizing her desire to escape her mundane life and explore the world.
o सोफी अपने भाई जियोफ को अपनी कल्पना में शामिल करती है, खुद को उसकी मोटरसाइकिल पर दूर-दराज के रोमांचक स्थानों पर जाते हुए कल्पना करती है। वह खुद को और जियोफ को लोगों द्वारा प्रशंसित और सराहा गया देखती है, जो उसके साधारण जीवन से भागने और दुनिया को खोजने की इच्छा का प्रतीक है। - Which country did Danny Casey play for?
o Answer: Danny Casey played for Ireland. He is described as the young Irish prodigy in the story.
o डैनी केसी आयरलैंड के लिए खेलते थे। कहानी में उन्हें युवा आयरिश प्रतिभा के रूप में वर्णित किया गया है। - Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
• Answer: Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know about her story with Danny Casey because she feared Jansie would tell the whole neighborhood, making it less special and secretive. Sophie wanted it to remain a private and special story between her and her family.
• सोफी नहीं चाहती थी कि जान्सी उसके डैनी केसी से जुड़ी कहानी के बारे में जाने क्योंकि उसे डर था कि जान्सी पूरे मोहल्ले को बता देगी, जिससे यह कम खास और गुप्त हो जाएगा। सोफी चाहती थी कि यह उसके और उसके परिवार के बीच एक निजी और खास कहानी बनी रहे। - Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
• Answer: No, Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. The story about meeting him was part of her imagination and fantasy, reflecting her longing for excitement and escape from her mundane life.
• नहीं, सोफी ने वास्तव में डैनी केसी से मुलाकात नहीं की थी। उससे मिलने की कहानी उसकी कल्पना और फंतासी का हिस्सा थी, जो उसके उत्साह और साधारण जीवन से बाहर निकलने की चाहत को दर्शाती है। - Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
• Answer: The only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person was during their weekly pilgrimage to watch United play football. She watched him play from a distance along with her family.
• एकमात्र अवसर जब सोफी ने डैनी केसी को व्यक्तिगत रूप से देखा था, वह था जब वे साप्ताहिक रूप से युनाइटेड के फुटबॉल मैच देखने जाते थे। उसने उसे अपने परिवार के साथ दूर से खेलते देखा था। - Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
o Answer: Sophie is a dreamer who often fantasizes about her future, imagining herself in glamorous roles such as a boutique owner or an actress. She is ambitious and yearns for a life beyond her socio-economic status. Jansie, on the other hand, is practical and grounded. She is aware of their financial limitations and realistic about their future prospects, knowing they are likely to work in a biscuit factory after school.
o सोफी एक स्वप्नद्रष्टा है जो अक्सर अपने भविष्य के बारे में कल्पनाएं करती है, खुद को ग्लैमरस भूमिकाओं में देखती है जैसे बुटीक मालिक या अभिनेत्री। वह महत्वाकांक्षी है और अपनी सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति से परे जीवन की चाहत रखती है। दूसरी ओर, जान्सी व्यावहारिक और जमीन से जुड़ी है। वह उनके वित्तीय सीमाओं से अवगत है और उनके भविष्य की संभावनाओं के बारे में यथार्थवादी है, यह जानती है कि वे स्कूल के बाद शायद बिस्किट फैक्टरी में काम करेंगे। - How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
o Answer: Sophie’s father is depicted as a hardworking and practical man who is grounded in reality. He is skeptical of Sophie’s dreams and often dismisses her fantasies as wild stories. He is also portrayed as someone who enjoys simple pleasures, such as watching football and going to the pub. Despite his stern and dismissive attitude, he cares about his family’s well-being and is cautious about their financial situation.
o सोफी के पिता को एक मेहनती और व्यावहारिक व्यक्ति के रूप में चित्रित किया गया है जो वास्तविकता में जीते हैं। वह सोफी के सपनों के प्रति संदेहास्पद है और अक्सर उसकी कल्पनाओं को झूठी कहानियों के रूप में खारिज करता है। उन्हें एक ऐसे व्यक्ति के रूप में भी चित्रित किया गया है जो फुटबॉल देखना और पब जाना जैसे सरल आनंद का आनंद लेता है। उनके कठोर और खारिज करने वाले रवैये के बावजूद, वह अपने परिवार की भलाई की परवाह करते हैं और उनकी वित्तीय स्थिति के प्रति सावधान रहते हैं। - Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
o Answer: Sophie likes her brother Geoff more than any other person because she sees him as a gateway to the larger world outside their mundane life. Geoff’s silence and mysterious demeanor make him appear more interesting and worldly to Sophie. He symbolizes adventure, freedom, and the possibility of escaping their socio-economic constraints.
o सोफी को अपने भाई जियोफ सबसे ज्यादा पसंद है क्योंकि वह उसे उनके साधारण जीवन से बाहर की बड़ी दुनिया के लिए एक द्वार के रूप में देखती है। जियोफ की चुप्पी और रहस्यमय स्वभाव उसे सोफी के लिए अधिक दिलचस्प और दुनियावी बनाते हैं। वह साहसिकता, स्वतंत्रता, और उनके सामाजिक-आर्थिक बाधाओं से निकलने की संभावना का प्रतीक है। - What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
o Answer: Sophie belongs to a lower socio-economic background. Indicators of her family’s financial status include the cramped and cluttered living conditions, her father’s job that leaves him grimy and exhausted, and the fact that both Sophie and Jansie are expected to work in a biscuit factory after school. The practical concerns about money expressed by her family members also highlight their modest means.
o सोफी एक निम्न सामाजिक-आर्थिक पृष्ठभूमि से है। उसके परिवार की वित्तीय स्थिति के संकेतकों में संकुचित और अव्यवस्थित रहने की स्थिति, उसके पिता की नौकरी जो उन्हें गंदा और थका हुआ छोड़ देती है, और तथ्य यह है कि सोफी और जान्सी दोनों को स्कूल के बाद बिस्किट फैक्टरी में काम करने की उम्मीद है। उसके परिवार के सदस्यों द्वारा व्यक्त पैसे के व्यावहारिक चिंताएं भी उनके साधारण साधनों को उजागर करती हैं।
Important Questions and Answers from the Chapter “Going Places” (with Hindi Translations)
- What are Sophie’s dreams for her future?
o Answer: Sophie dreams of opening a boutique, becoming a manager, an actress, or a fashion designer. She imagines herself in glamorous roles that go beyond her current socio-economic status.
o सोफी एक बुटीक खोलने, प्रबंधक बनने, एक अभिनेत्री या एक फैशन डिजाइनर बनने का सपना देखती है। वह खुद को अपने वर्तमान सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति से परे ग्लैमरस भूमिकाओं में कल्पना करती है। - What does Jansie think about Sophie’s dreams?
o Answer: Jansie is practical and doubts Sophie’s dreams. She knows that they are both likely to end up working in a biscuit factory and believes that Sophie’s dreams are unrealistic given their financial situation.
o जान्सी व्यावहारिक है और सोफी के सपनों पर संदेह करती है। वह जानती है कि वे दोनों शायद बिस्किट फैक्टरी में काम करेंगे और मानती है कि उनकी वित्तीय स्थिति को देखते हुए सोफी के सपने अवास्तविक हैं। - How does Sophie describe her meeting with Danny Casey?
o Answer: Sophie describes her meeting with Danny Casey as a chance encounter in the arcade. She says they talked about clothes, and he promised to give her an autograph the next week, but they had no paper or pen at that moment.
o सोफी डैनी केसी से अपनी मुलाकात को आर्केड में एक संयोगपूर्ण मुलाकात के रूप में वर्णित करती है। वह कहती है कि उन्होंने कपड़ों के बारे में बात की, और उसने अगले सप्ताह उसे एक ऑटोग्राफ देने का वादा किया, लेकिन उस समय उनके पास कोई कागज या पेन नहीं था। - Does Geoff believe Sophie’s story about meeting Danny Casey?
o Answer: Geoff is skeptical about Sophie’s story. He questions her and doubts the authenticity of her encounter with Danny Casey, but he wants to believe her.
o जियोफ सोफी की कहानी पर संदेह करता है। वह उससे सवाल पूछता है और उसकी डैनी केसी से मुलाकात की प्रामाणिकता पर संदेह करता है, लेकिन वह उस पर विश्वास करना चाहता है। - Why does Sophie like her brother Geoff the most? What does he represent to her?
o Answer: Sophie likes her brother Geoff the most because he symbolizes adventure, freedom, and a connection to the larger world outside their mundane life. She imagines him as someone who can take her to exciting places.
o सोफी को अपने भाई जियोफ सबसे ज्यादा पसंद है क्योंकि वह साहसिकता, स्वतंत्रता और उनके साधारण जीवन के बाहर की बड़ी दुनिया से जुड़ाव का प्रतीक है। वह उसे एक ऐसे व्यक्ति के रूप में कल्पना करती है जो उसे रोमांचक स्थानों पर ले जा सकता है। - What is Sophie’s family’s financial situation like?
o Answer: Sophie’s family has a modest financial situation. Indicators include their cramped living conditions, her father’s labor-intensive job, and the expectation that Sophie and Jansie will work in a biscuit factory after school.
o सोफी के परिवार की वित्तीय स्थिति सामान्य है। संकेतकों में उनकी संकुचित रहने की स्थिति, उसके पिता की श्रम-प्रधान नौकरी, और यह उम्मीद शामिल है कि सोफी और जान्सी स्कूल के बाद बिस्किट फैक्टरी में काम करेंगे।
Important Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Chapter “Going Places”
- What does Sophie dream of doing when she leaves school?
- a) Becoming a teacher
- b) Opening a boutique
- c) Working in a factory
- d) Traveling the world
- Answer: b) Opening a boutique
- What does Jansie think about Sophie’s dreams?
- a) She fully supports them
- b) She thinks they are unrealistic
- c) She wants to join Sophie
- d) She is indifferent
- Answer: b) She thinks they are unrealistic
- Where does Sophie claim to have met Danny Casey?
- a) At school
- b) In the arcade
- c) At a football match
- d) In a café
- Answer: b) In the arcade
- What does Sophie’s father do for a living?
- a) He is a teacher
- b) He works in a biscuit factory
- c) He is a mechanic
- d) He is unemployed
- Answer: b) He works in a biscuit factory
- How does Geoff react to Sophie’s story about Danny Casey?
- a) He believes her immediately
- b) He is skeptical
- c) He gets excited
- d) He ignores her
- Answer: b) He is skeptical
- What is Geoff’s job?
- a) Teacher
- b) Biscuit factory worker
- c) Apprentice mechanic
- d) Shop assistant
- Answer: c) Apprentice mechanic
- Who is Sophie’s favorite football player?
- a) Tom Finney
- b) Danny Casey
- c) Geoff
- d) Little Derek
- Answer: b) Danny Casey
- What does Sophie feel when she watches Danny Casey play football?
- a) Jealousy
- b) Indifference
- c) Pride
- d) Disappointment
- Answer: c) Pride
- What does Sophie imagine doing with her brother Geoff?
- a) Traveling to exotic places
- b) Opening a business together
- c) Going to school together
- d) Working in the factory
- Answer: a) Traveling to exotic places
- What is the reality of Sophie’s story about Danny Casey?
- a) It is true
- b) It is a misunderstanding
- c) It is a fantasy
- d) It is a rumor
- Answer: c) It is a fantasy
More Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Chapter “Going Places”
- What is the name of Sophie’s best friend?
- a) Mary
- b) Jansie
- c) Linda
- d) Jane
- Answer: b) Jansie
- What job does Sophie’s father think she will end up doing?
- a) Boutique owner
- b) Actress
- c) Biscuit factory worker
- d) Teacher
- Answer: c) Biscuit factory worker
- Why does Sophie admire Danny Casey?
- a) He is a famous singer
- b) He is a football prodigy
- c) He is a successful businessman
- d) He is a popular actor
- Answer: b) He is a football prodigy
- How does Sophie’s mother react to her stories?
- a) She encourages them
- b) She believes them
- c) She ignores them
- d) She disapproves of them
- Answer: c) She ignores them
- What does Sophie imagine about her future with her brother Geoff?
- a) Working in the same factory
- b) Traveling to far-off places
- c) Starting a business together
- d) Going to school together
- Answer: b) Traveling to far-off places
- Who does Sophie imagine sharing her secrets with first?
- a) Her mother
- b) Her father
- c) Her brother Geoff
- d) Her friend Jansie
- Answer: c) Her brother Geoff
- What does Sophie’s brother Geoff do in his free time?
- a) Play football
- b) Repair motorcycles
- c) Read books
- d) Watch movies
- Answer: b) Repair motorcycles
- Why does Sophie feel a tightening in her throat when she sees her mother?
- a) Because her mother scolds her
- b) Because her mother is unwell
- c) Because she feels sad for her mother’s hard life
- d) Because her mother is strict
- Answer: c) Because she feels sad for her mother’s hard life
- What was the reason for Sophie’s pride during the football match?
- a) She met Danny Casey after the match
- b) United won the match
- c) Danny Casey scored a goal
- d) Geoff praised her
- Answer: c) Danny Casey scored a goal
- Where does Sophie go to wait for Danny Casey as part of her fantasy?
- a) The arcade
- b) The canal
- c) The football stadium
- d) Her home Answer: b) The canal