"Ribbons" by Laurence Yep

"Ribbons" by Laurence Yep

• This short story excerpt from Laurence Yep’s book of the same name is about three kinds of ribbons: the satin ribbons on protagonist Stacy’s ballet shoes; the silk ribbons traditionally used in Chinese foot binding; and the invisible ribbon binding grandmother, mother and daughter at the end of the story.

• The central theme is understanding. Already unhappy about her interrupted ballet lessons and resentful of her brother’s favourable treatment, Stacy reacts angrily to her grandmother’s inexplicable rage over her ballet ribbons. Things change when she learns her grandmother’s painful secret. Other themes: family, cultural adjustment, courage, passion, sacrifice, connection.

Foot binding, or footbinding, was the Chinese custom of breaking and tightly binding the feet of young girls in order to change their shape and size. Feet altered by footbinding were known as lotus feet, and the shoes made for these feet were known as lotus shoes.

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Footbinding

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," from where has Grandmother just arrived?

• China

• San Francisco

• Hong Kong

• Los Angeles

Multiple Choice

Define: Coax

• Turn off

• Allow 

• Use gentle persuasion 

• Please 

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother get out of the car before Stacy's father can help her?

• She does not like Stacy's father.

• She wants to get out by herself.

• She is too shy to accept his help.

• She is eager to greet her daughter.

Multiple Choice

Define: Laborious 

• Not trying
• Naturally gifted
• Coasting 
• Taking much work or effort 

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," Ian is relieved when he realizes that Grandmother speaks English. What inference can the reader draw from this detail?

• He does not speak Chinese.

• He does not want to talk to her.

• He wants her to teach him Chinese.

• He does not want Stacy to talk to her.

Multiple Choice

If you are _______, you are timid and show now anger 

• Unyielding
• Brave
• Meek
• Disobedient 

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," what does Stacy ask her father once her grandmother has arrived?

• She asks to have her own room back again.

• She asks to attend ballet class again.

• She asks to share her room with Grandmother.

• She asks to read fairy tales to Ian.

Multiple Choice

Easily hurt or irritated 

• Sensitive
• Laid back
• Calm 
• Aware 

Multiple Choice

Define: Laborious 

• Not trying
• Naturally gifted
• Coasting 
• Taking much work or effort 

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," from where has Grandmother just arrived?

• China

• San Francisco

• Hong Kong

• Los Angeles

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother spoil Ian?

• He is her hero.

• He is cute.

• He is smart.

• He is a boy.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother get out of the car before Stacy's father can help her?

• She does not like Stacy's father.

• She wants to get out by herself.

• She is too shy to accept his help.

• She is eager to greet her daughter.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother get angry when she sees the ribbons of Stacy's toe shoe?

• She thinks they are too grown-up for Stacy.

• She thinks Stacy will hurt her with them.

• She thinks they are hurting Stacy's feet.

• She thinks Stacy likes ballet too much.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," Ian is relieved when he realizes that Grandmother speaks English. What inference can the reader draw from this detail?

• He does not speak Chinese.

• He does not want to talk to her.

• He wants her to teach him Chinese.

• He does not want Stacy to talk to her.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why is Grandmother ashamed of her feet?

• They were bound when she was a child and are now misshapen.

• They were hurt in a childhood accident and are badly scarred.

• They were misshapen at birth and made fun of by her parents.

• They are not as beautiful as the feet of other Chinese women.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," Grandmother reacts to Stacy's hug by stiffening and snapping at her. What inference can the reader draw from this detail?

• She is not used to people showing affection.

• She is afraid Stacy will cause her to fall over.

• She does not want Stacy to get her dirty.

• She thinks that hugs can spread disease.

Multiple Choice

What does the title of "Ribbons" refer to?

• the ribbons used for feet and footwear in the story

• the ribbons from Stacy's toe shoes and in her hair

• imaginary ribbons such as those that bound Grandmother's feet

• ribbons used on Stacy's toe shoes and Grandmother's feet as well as family ties

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," what does Stacy ask her father once her grandmother has arrived?

• She asks to have her own room back again.

• She asks to attend ballet class again.

• She asks to share her room with Grandmother.

• She asks to read fairy tales to Ian.

Multiple Choice

What statement best describes the main theme of the story?

• Dance is a healthy and enjoyable way to express oneself.

• Older generations cannot fully understand younger generations.

• Talking about painful memories can sometimes cause more harm than good.

• Learning about a person's past can help one better understand their feelings and behavior.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother spoil Ian?

• He is her hero.

• He is cute.

• He is smart.

• He is a boy.

Multiple Choice

The word deliberate means______.

• make a connection between two things

• done on purpose

• severly injured or damaged

• afectd by something harmful; spoiledf

• people who believe that women should be equal to men.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," what does Stacy discover when she puts on her satin toe shoe?

• The shoe is too small.

• The ribbons are too long.

• The ribbons have come off.

• The shoe is dirty.

Multiple Choice

If somethig is mangled it means it is______.

• make a connection between two things

• done on purpose

• severly injured or damaged

• affectd by something harmful; spoiled

• people who believe that women should be equal to men.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why does Grandmother get angry when she sees the ribbons of Stacy's toe shoe?

• She thinks they are too grown-up for Stacy.

• She thinks Stacy will hurt her with them.

• She thinks they are hurting Stacy's feet.

• She thinks Stacy likes ballet too much.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," why is Grandmother ashamed of her feet?

• They were bound when she was a child and are now misshapen.

• They were hurt in a childhood accident and are badly scarred.

• They were misshapen at birth and made fun of by her parents.

• They are not as beautiful as the feet of other Chinese women.

Multiple Choice

What does Paw-paw's removal of the ribbons from her feet in Hong Kong suggest about her?

• She is a strong person.

• She is embarrassed by her feet.

• She cares about her appearance.

• She wants to be honest with her family.

Multiple Choice

In "Ribbons," how does Stacy treat her grandmother once she learns about her grandmother's feet?

• She flatters her.

• She helps her get around.

• She makes fun of her.

• She stops ignoring her.

Multiple Choice

What does the title of "Ribbons" refer to?

• the ribbons used for feet and footwear in the story

• the ribbons from Stacy's toe shoes and in her hair

• imaginary ribbons such as those that bound Grandmother's feet

• ribbons used on Stacy's toe shoes and Grandmother's feet as well as family ties

Multiple Choice

Stacy is ______ than most girls whom Madame Oblomov allows into the fifth division.

• younger

• more young

• more younger

• most youngest

Multiple Choice

What might be a possible theme from the story?

• Always use your best manners

• We need to have a better understanding of cultural differences before we judge others.

• We should always be kind to our siblings

• Ballet is a cultural activity that should be enjoyed by all.