- 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) World War II in Europe B) The Cultural Revolution in China C) The Industrial Revolution in England D) The American Civil War
- 2. What is the protagonist's name?
A) Lin Mei B) Mao Zedong C) Ji-li Jiang D) Wei Guo
- 3. Why is Ji-li's family considered politically problematic?
A) They opposed Mao Zedong B) Her grandfather was a landlord C) They were religious D) Her father was a foreign spy
- 4. What symbolic item represents revolutionary purity and loyalty?
A) The red scarf B) An army uniform C) A little red book D) A Mao badge
- 5. What happens during the 'Search for the Four Olds' campaign?
A) Hunting for counter-revolutionaries B) Recruiting new party members C) A search for hidden treasure D) Destruction of traditional cultural items
- 6. What is Ji-li's father's profession?
A) Factory worker B) Teacher C) Doctor D) Actor
- 7. What is the 'Four Olds' that the revolution aims to destroy?
A) Old customs, culture, habits, and ideas B) Old buildings, roads, bridges, and parks C) Old people, books, art, and music D) Old government, army, schools, and hospitals
- 8. How does Ji-li's attitude toward the Cultural Revolution change?
A) From opposition to support B) It remains consistently supportive C) From enthusiastic support to disillusionment D) From fear to acceptance
- 9. What happens to Ji-li's father?
A) He is executed B) He is arrested and detained C) He flees to Hong Kong D) He joins the Red Guards
- 10. What is the main internal conflict Ji-li faces?
A) Loyalty to family vs. loyalty to revolution B) Wanting to leave China vs. staying C) Obeying parents vs. following friends D) Pursuing education vs. working
- 11. What does the red scarf symbolize to Ji-li initially?
A) Danger and fear B) Honor and belonging C) Education and knowledge D) Wealth and status
- 12. What literary form is 'Red Scarf Girl'?
A) Memoir B) Historical textbook C) Fiction novel D) Poetry collection
- 13. Who is the political figure whose words are treated as ultimate truth during this period?
A) Zhou Enlai B) Jiang Qing C) Chairman Mao Zedong D) Deng Xiaoping
- 14. Who is the classmate that initially supports the Revolution but whose family also gets targeted?
A) Song Po-po B) Chang Hong C) Du Hai D) An Yi
- 15. What does Ji-li's family do with their 'old' possessions to avoid persecution?
A) They bury them in the yard B) They donate them to the government C) They sell them on the black market D) They destroy or hide them
|