Going Places
Understanding the text
1. Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were
the differences between them that show up in the story?
Answer:
2. How would you describe the character and temperament of
Sophie’s father?
Answer:
3. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other
person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Answer:
4. What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What
are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
Answer:
Talking about the text
Discuss in pairs.
1. Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind.
Answer:
2. It is natural for teenagers to have unrealistic dreams. What
would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of such
fantasising?
Answer:
Working with words
Notice the following expressions. The highlighted words are
not used in a literal sense. Explain what they mean.
• 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.
• On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to the
United.
• She saw… him ghost past the lumbering defenders.
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