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