A letter from Birmingham Jail

What is the argument in this letter?

• He was defending the laws already in place.
• He was fighting for woman's rights.
• Defending both his right and his moral grounds for organizing nonviolent protest activities in support of the civil rights of African Americans.
• He defends that view of breaking laws when those laws are unjust.

In his opening paragraph, 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.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

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.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

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.L.7.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does King mean in lines 37–38 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.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

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.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4

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

• inhumane treatment.
• violent protests.
• Need for freedom and waiting for it.
• asking for compromise.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

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.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

What does COGNIZANT mean?

• Present.
• Aware.
• Relieved.
• Understood.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

To RETALIATE means to

• Take revenge.
• Provide clues.
• Move back.
• Seek justice.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E