To whom is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writing?

Commissioner of Public Safety Bull Connor

In his opening, King defends his presence in Birmingham, Alabama by explaining he....

is there visiting extended family

is supporting Malcolm X in his protests

was imprisoned and therefore has no choice

Which is NOT one of the four basic steps in any nonviolent campaign?

collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist

The Supreme Court's decision of 1954...

outlawed segregation in the public schools

gave citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon

enforced segregation in the public schools

King states that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a "just" law?

is out of harmony with the moral law

man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God

a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Multiple Choice

Quiz

•

English

•

9th - 12th Grade

•

Practice Problem

•

Medium

•

CCSS

RL.2.6, RI.8.1, RI.11-12.4

+26

Standards-aligned

Used 142+ times

FREE Resource

About this resource

This quiz focuses on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," one of the most significant texts in American civil rights literature and rhetorical analysis. Designed for high school students in grades 9-12, the assessment evaluates students' comprehension of King's sophisticated arguments, rhetorical strategies, and philosophical foundations regarding civil disobedience and social justice. Students need strong reading comprehension skills to understand King's complex reasoning, including his justification for breaking unjust laws, his critique of white moderates, and his use of biblical and historical allusions. The quiz requires students to analyze King's rhetorical purpose, identify his target audience, and comprehend his four-step process for nonviolent resistance. Additionally, students must demonstrate vocabulary knowledge of academic terms like "moratorium," "cognizant," and "retaliate," while understanding key historical context such as the 1954 Supreme Court decision outlawing school segregation. This quiz was created by a classroom teacher who designed it for students studying American literature and civil rights history in grades 9-12. The assessment serves multiple instructional purposes, functioning effectively as a comprehension check after students read the complete letter, a review tool before discussions of civil rights rhetoric, or a formative assessment to gauge student understanding before deeper analytical work. Teachers can use this quiz as a homework assignment to ensure students have thoroughly read the text, or as a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge before examining King's rhetorical techniques in greater detail. The quiz aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1 for citing textual evidence, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.6 for determining author's purpose and rhetoric, and supports social studies standards NCSS.D2.Civ.1.9-12 regarding civic ideals and practices in historical contexts.

15 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

In his opening statement, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because

their actions were unwise and untimely.

their letter shows them to be extremists.

he believes them to be sincere and good.

he wants his letter to bring about change.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

What is the basis for King’s argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

He was born in Birmingham.

He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

He has many relatives in Birmingham.

He went to college in Birmingham.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

King compares himself to early Christian prophets because they

died fighting for their cause.

did not submit to unjust laws.

believed in civil disobedience.

did not negotiate with enemies.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

What does King mean when he says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”?

All citizens are equally threatened by justice.

Discrimination does not exist in rural areas.

All laws are unfair and should be ignored.

Everyone is affected when one person is hurt.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to

end the bombings of homes and churches.

create tension so that people have to confront an issue.

halt the activities of both merchants and consumers.

draw the sympathy of the religious community and moderate whites.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

King uses the evidence that other nations are gaining political independence to argue against

inhumane treatment.

violent protests.

waiting for freedom.

asking for compromise.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

20 sec • 1 pt

What is a MORATORIUM?

Release from restraint or inhibition

A temporary prohibition of an activity

A state of disorder due to lack of authority

Concerned with practical matters

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Multiple Choice

15 questions

In his opening statement, King says that he rarely pauses to answer criticisms, but he is replying to the clergymen because

What is the basis for King’s argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

King compares himself to early Christian prophets because they

What does King mean when he says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”?

According to King, the purpose of direct nonviolent action is to

King uses the evidence that other nations are gaining political independence to argue against

What is a MORATORIUM?

What does COGNIZANT mean?

To RETALIATE means to

To whom is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writing?

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