Letter from Birmingham Jail #1

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