<html><head> <script type="text/javascript" src="/jquery/jquery.js"></script></head><body><ul> <li>list item 1</li> <li>list item 2</li> <li class="third-item">list item 3</li> <li>list item 4</li> <li>list item 5</li></ul><script> $('li.third-item').prevAll().css('background-color', 'red');</script></body></html>