What do 'take up' and 'go on' mean in these sentences?
Does 'took up office' in "He 'took up office' out of a sense of duty." mean 'took charge of office'? If not, what does it mean?

Does 'went on' in "He went on staring out of the window." mean 'resumed'?

Question

What do 'take up' and 'go on' mean in these sentences?
Does 'took up office' in "He 'took up office' out of a sense of duty." mean 'took charge of office'? If not, what does it mean?

Does 'went on' in "He went on staring out of the window." mean 'resumed'?

Answer

He took up the (duties of) office = He started performing the duties of the office.

Went on = continued.  He never stopped staring out the window, so it does not mean 'resumed'.