Letter from Birmingham Jail

Why does King write “Letter from Birmingham Jail”? Choose three options.

• to occupy his time while he is waiting to be released from jail

• to respond to well-intentioned criticism of the civil rights movement

• to ask for volunteers who are supporters of the civil rights movement

• to make his argument to everyone who will read the letter after its publication

• to accuse the white clergy of Birmingham of secretly supporting black nationalists

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According to “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” what is the main reason King and his followers are demonstrating and protesting in Birmingham, instead of negotiating with city leaders?

• because King is affiliated with certain organizations in Birmingham

• because King does not trust the white clergy to host fair negotiations

• because a significant political election has just taken place in Birmingham

• because Birmingham failed to keep promises made in earlier negotiations

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In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King cites T. S. Eliot’s observation about doing “the right deed for the wrong reason.” How does Eliot’s observation apply to actions that King describes in his letter?

• It applies to the “Negro sit inners and demonstrators” who show amazing discipline in their nonviolent protests, even when they face great provocation.

• It applies to those Birmingham police officers who show restraint in handling the demonstrators in public but treat them very harshly in the privacy of the city jail.

• It applies to the seventy-two-year-old African American woman who supports the boycott of Montgomery’s segregated bus system even though she is tired and oppressed.

• It applies to those Birmingham police officers who use legal, nonviolent means to handle demonstrators in public but do so to maintain the injustice of racial discrimination.

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According to “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” why is King “so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership”?

• King believes that the leaders have become entirely absorbed in secular rather than religious concerns.

• King believes that the church has stolen and misused donations given by its poorest parishioners.

• King believes that the leaders have not stood up boldly in support of civil rights.

• King believes that the church has nothing relevant to offer to the youth of the 1960s.

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According to “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” why does King feel some pride and satisfaction when he is criticized as an extremist?

• He knows that many great leaders in history were extremists.

• He knows that extremists are always violent and destructive.

• He believes in extremism as an alternative to violence.

• He believes in extremism as a guarantee of safety.

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Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of yearning?

• celebrating an achievement that represents long and patient effort

• wishing for signs of springtime during the depths of an icy winter

• picking up speed in a race when the finish line comes into view

• taking a break from work to get a breath of fresh air outdoors

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What is the meaning of idly in the following sentence?

Savannah gazed idly out the window, neglecting the book that lay open on her knee.

• in a concentrated, fierce way

• in a puzzled, confused way

• in a cheerful, happy way

• in a lazy, passive way

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If Tasha decides to postpone an appointment with Katie, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of postpone.

• Tasha and Katie will meet at an earlier time than they had planned to do.

• Tasha and Katie will meet at a later time than they had originally agreed.

• Tasha and Katie decide to cancel the project they had considered.

• Tasha and Katie change the agreed place of their appointment.

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In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” who is the “we” to whom King refers most clearly in this sentence?

We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom. Abused and scorned though we may be, our destiny is tied up with America’s destiny.

• African American

• all patriotic Americans

• the police force in Birmingham

• "outside agitators" in Birmingham

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In “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King expresses discontent with the “moderates” who sympathize with but take no part in the civil rights struggle, saying:

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

Which statement best explains why King would rather face outright opposition than “lukewarm acceptance”?

• He believes that as long as the moderates stand passively aside, conditions cannot improve.

• He believes that those who oppose the movement may persuade the moderates to join them.

• He believes that because opposition is violent, it does much more harm than passive acceptance.

• He believes that moderates who play no active role in the movement are secretly working against it.

Answer explanation

The excerpt that best supports this answer is "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people. Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men. . . ."

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