Red Scarf Girl Study Questions

Study Guide for Prologue to Chapter 7

Answer Questions in complete sentences and in depth on another sheet of paper and include PAGE NUMBERS.

1. Who are the members of Ji-Li’s family? Describe her family home. What class status does her family belong to? What is the occupation of her father? Mother?

The members of Ji-Li's family are: Ji-yun (younger sister), Ji-yong (younger brother), Mother, Father, Grandma, Song Po-Po (housekeeper/nanny), and Little White (the cat) (pg. 7-8,14-15). Ji Li's home is a bright, warm, and welcoming apartment with brugundy curtains and huge, tall French window. Her home also has a high ceiling and her room is 10 times bigger than most of her callmates' homes and 100 times brighter. Ji-Li's family has a private bathroom which includes a toilet, a aisnk, and a bathtub that most families don't have (pg. 7,15,16). Ji-Li's family belongs to an upper-middle class. Therefore, her family has a bigger place to live and is considered more special than other households. Her family is also well-respected because Ji-Li's grandmother was the vice-principal at her school. This is all mentioned on pages 15-16.

2. What is Ji-Li’s life at school like? What special honor is Ji-Li picked for at school? Describe Ji-Li’s parents’ reaction. What does Ji-Li do instead of entering the audition?

Ji-Li is a very bright student meaning she gets excellent grades, she's a role model for her fellow peers, and the teachers like her a lot too (pg. 9). Ji-Li was chosen to audition for the Liberation Army Arts Academy (pg. 6). Ji-Li's father doesn't let Ji-Li audition because he knows, despite Ji-Li's academic performance, she won't be able to pass the political background investigation. And when she doesn't pass that stage of her audition, everyone will find out that her family has political issues (pg. 9-11). Instead of auditioning, Ji-Li gives Principal Long a note from her father saying she's not allowed to audition for the school.