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Quiz about Red Dust A Path Through China by Ma Jian

'Red Dust - A Path Through China' by Ma Jian Quiz

Ma Jian's fascinating account of his journey through Communist China during the early 1980s.

A multiple-choice quiz by Plumbus. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Plumbus

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
211,341

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
134

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Ma Jian's occupation? Hint

journalist

photographer

teacher

policeman

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which city is Ma Jian living when his story begins? Hint

Beijing

Shanghai

Qingdao

Chengdu

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Question 3 of 10

3. Ma Jian's girlfriend at the beginning of his story is Xi Ping, who betrays him twice. What was her occupation? Hint

Teacher

Actress

Journalist

Nurse

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Question 4 of 10

4. Ma Jian was under constant surveillance by the authorities by the time his story starts. What is it about his appearance that arouses their suspicions? Hint

His long hair and denims

His dyed hair and jewellery

His brightly coloured clothes

His designer sunglasses

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Question 5 of 10

5. What happens to Ma Jian that finally encourages him to leave his home city and start his travels around China? Hint

He is interrogated by the police

He loses his job

His girlfriend leaves him

His ex-wife suggests that they get back together

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Question 6 of 10

6. In Golmud, Ma Jian is mugged and his camera is stolen. How does he get his camera back? Hint

The police catch the muggers and return his camera to him.

He later attacks the muggers back and retrieves his camera.

He buys the camera back from the muggers.

He buys it back from a market stall the next day.

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Question 7 of 10

7. When Ma Jian goes to visit the famous Terracotta Army at Xian, he encounters disappointment. Why is this? Hint

He is the victim of a scam.

There is no reason for disappointment.

He finds that the Terracotta Army does not exist.

He cannot afford the entry tariff.

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Question 8 of 10

8. At Giuyang, Ma Jian visits the home of a man named Li Zhi. He is a dissident who practises which particular art form? Hint

Painting

Poetry

Novel writing

Music

9. The book provides us with some fascinating insights into Chinese snack foods. One particular street vendor's wares mentioned at Qingdao might seem peculiar to western tastes, though. What are they? Hint

Mouse kebabs

Fried locusts

Hot rabbit heads

Chargrilled rats

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where does Ma Jian's journey end? Hint

Jiayuguan, Gansu

Kunming, Yunnan

Urumqi, Xinjiang

Lhasa, Tibet

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Ma Jian's occupation?

Answer: photographer

As an official government photographer, Ma Jian could only take images that put The People's Republic in a positive light. He was censured because he took a photograph of Yangzi Bridge that revealed flaking paint and, on another occasion, he was accused of bourgeois 'pornography' because he employed yellow as a colour for some title letters on a magazine cover.

2. In which city is Ma Jian living when his story begins?

Answer: Beijing

The book begins in the spring of 1981, when Ma Jian is living at 53, Nanxiao Lane, in the Eastern District of Beijing. He had been moved there by his work unit.

3. Ma Jian's girlfriend at the beginning of his story is Xi Ping, who betrays him twice. What was her occupation?

Answer: Actress

At the start of the story, Jian was still angry at Xi Ping's latest affair with Qiuzi, who had spent twelve years in prison for hooliganism and was selling petrol coupons on the black market.

4. Ma Jian was under constant surveillance by the authorities by the time his story starts. What is it about his appearance that arouses their suspicions?

Answer: His long hair and denims

When he is called to account by his boss, he is criticised for his "sloppy dressing". When he is interrogated by the police they shout at him, "You think you're something special with your long hair and denim jeans."

5. What happens to Ma Jian that finally encourages him to leave his home city and start his travels around China?

Answer: He is interrogated by the police

Ma Jian is suspected of subversive activities, such as having artistic friends visit him, painting and writing poetry of unsuitable subjects, and taking photographs of attractive young women.

6. In Golmud, Ma Jian is mugged and his camera is stolen. How does he get his camera back?

Answer: He later attacks the muggers back and retrieves his camera.

Ma Jian manages to persuade the muggers that he, too, is a criminal and they share a meal in a restaurant while they discuss how they can work together. When they are not looking, he smashes them over their heads with a bottle. While they are stunned, he retrieves his camera and runs away.

7. When Ma Jian goes to visit the famous Terracotta Army at Xian, he encounters disappointment. Why is this?

Answer: He is the victim of a scam.

When the tourist bus pulls up, all the passengers are guided into what they are led to believe is the museum, only to find it is a hall full of unofficial traders' stalls selling cheap souvenirs. The real museum is actually on the other side of the road. When Ma Jian complains, two menacing men reply, "You bought your ticket, so go in or shove off. Breathe a word and you're dead!"

8. At Giuyang, Ma Jian visits the home of a man named Li Zhi. He is a dissident who practises which particular art form?

Answer: Poetry

In a scene typical of so many in the book, Ma Jian finds generous hospitality and friendship with Li Zhi's family - people he barely knows.

Answer: Hot rabbit heads

While ascending a mountain in Tibet, Jian is so hungry he starts to have tantalising memories about food. He remembers his friend, Rongrong, selling hot rabbit heads outside a cinema in Qingdao, "four heads for a mao."

10. Where does Ma Jian's journey end?

Answer: Lhasa, Tibet

Once he leaves Lhasa, Ma Jian writes, "There are still many white mountains to cross, but I am on my way home."

Source: Author Plumbus

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