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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.

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CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.9

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.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

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

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CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

What does COGNIZANT mean?

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

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CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

To RETALIATE means to

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

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CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4