- 1. Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang is an autobiographical memoir set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Cultural Revolution in China, detailing the profound impact of political upheaval on the life of a young girl. The narrative follows Ji-li, a bright and ambitious twelve-year-old, as she navigates her school life, friendships, and family dynamics amidst the chaos of Mao Zedong's regime. The story illuminates Ji-li's initial enthusiasm for the Communist Party and her fervent desire to rise in the ranks of the Young Pioneers, only to face the harsh realities of betrayal and disillusionment as her family's status falls into disfavor due to their perceived bourgeois background. Through Ji-li's eyes, readers are introduced to the clash between childhood innocence and the brutal realities of political ideology, as she grapples with the loss of her dreams, the loyalty to her family, and the moral dilemmas that arise when loyalty to the party conflicts with personal ethics. Richly detailed and emotionally resonant, the memoir emphasizes themes of resilience, identity, and the enduring strength of familial bonds in the face of oppression, ultimately presenting a poignant reflection on the loss of childhood innocence and the effects of political turmoil on individual lives.
What is the historical setting of 'Red Scarf Girl'?
A) The Industrial Revolution in England B) The American Civil War C) The Cultural Revolution in China D) World War II in Europe
- 2. What is the protagonist's name?
A) Mao Zedong B) Lin Mei C) Ji-li Jiang D) Wei Guo
- 3. Why is Ji-li's family considered politically problematic?
A) Her father was a foreign spy B) They were religious C) Her grandfather was a landlord D) They opposed Mao Zedong
- 4. What symbolic item represents revolutionary purity and loyalty?
A) The red scarf B) An army uniform C) A Mao badge D) A little red book
- 5. What happens during the 'Search for the Four Olds' campaign?
A) Destruction of traditional cultural items B) A search for hidden treasure C) Recruiting new party members D) Hunting for counter-revolutionaries
- 6. What is Ji-li's father's profession?
A) Doctor B) Teacher C) Factory worker D) Actor
- 7. What is the 'Four Olds' that the revolution aims to destroy?
A) Old government, army, schools, and hospitals B) Old buildings, roads, bridges, and parks C) Old people, books, art, and music D) Old customs, culture, habits, and ideas
- 8. How does Ji-li's attitude toward the Cultural Revolution change?
A) It remains consistently supportive B) From opposition to support C) From enthusiastic support to disillusionment D) From fear to acceptance
- 9. What happens to Ji-li's father?
A) He joins the Red Guards B) He is executed C) He flees to Hong Kong D) He is arrested and detained
- 10. What is the main internal conflict Ji-li faces?
A) Loyalty to family vs. loyalty to revolution B) Pursuing education vs. working C) Obeying parents vs. following friends D) Wanting to leave China vs. staying
- 11. What does the red scarf symbolize to Ji-li initially?
A) Danger and fear B) Wealth and status C) Honor and belonging D) Education and knowledge
- 12. What literary form is 'Red Scarf Girl'?
A) Historical textbook B) Fiction novel C) Poetry collection D) Memoir
- 13. Who is the political figure whose words are treated as ultimate truth during this period?
A) Deng Xiaoping B) Chairman Mao Zedong C) Zhou Enlai D) Jiang Qing
- 14. Who is the classmate that initially supports the Revolution but whose family also gets targeted?
A) An Yi B) Du Hai C) Song Po-po D) Chang Hong
- 15. What does Ji-li's family do with their 'old' possessions to avoid persecution?
A) They donate them to the government B) They sell them on the black market C) They bury them in the yard D) They destroy or hide them
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