Birmingham Jail- Test Review

Which statement best explains how Dr. King’s introduction of the four steps of a nonviolent campaign in paragraph 6 serves his argument?

• It clarifies why nonviolent action is as effective as violence

• It advances nonviolent action as a negotiation tool

• It justifies the need for nonviolent action

• It shows the power of nonviolent action against segregation

Answer explanation

In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. 

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

 Read the sentence from paragraph 6.

There can be no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this community. 

Based on context in this sentence and the paragraph, what is the meaning of gainsaying?

• Resolving

• Explaining

• Concealing

• Contradicting

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here. I am here because I have organizational ties here. 

Which two rhetorical devices does Dr. King use to add emphasis to this sentence?

• Parallelism

  & Repetition

• Fallacy

• Allusion

• Antithesis

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which statement best explains the rhetorical device Dr. King uses in paragraph 45 and its effect? 

"I doubt that you would have so warmly commended the police force if you had seen its dogs sinking their teeth into unarmed, nonviolent Negroes. I doubt that you would so quickly commend the policemen if you were to observe their ugly and inhumane treatment of Negroes here in the city jail; if you were to watch them push and curse old Negro women and young Negro girls; if you were to see them slap and kick old Negro men and young boys; if you were to observe them, as they did on two occasions, refuse to give us food because we wanted to sing our grace together. "

• The repeated use of parallelism imparts Dr. King’s mounting outrage. 

• The logical use of appeals conveys Dr. King’s wish for better treatment.

• The forceful use of antithesis suggests Dr. King’s hope for societal change

• The consistent use of overstatement emphasizes Dr. King’s observations.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Throughout paragraph 14, Dr. King mostly supports his argument for immediate action by —

"when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son who is asking: “Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?”'

• using logical appeal

• using emotional appeal

• establishing his authority

• establishing his credibility

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What purpose do paragraphs 21 and 22 serve? 

• They use parallelism to amplify a claim

• They provide evidence to support a claim

• They add emotional appeal to a claim

• They develop an opposing claim

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CCSS.RI.9-10.3

A logical fallacy Dr. King addresses in his letter is that peaceful protests are bad because they lead to violence. What effect does addressing this logical fallacy have on the essay? 

• It proves the point that oppressors never grant protesters freedom voluntarily. 

• It reinforces the point that action can be effective even if it is nonviolent. 

• It supports the point that white moderates are blocking the flow of progress. 

• It makes the point that blaming protesters for the acts of others is illogical.

Answer explanation

Hint: A logical fallacy is faulty reasoning. Think of this: a baseless, dumb argument that doesn't make sense.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.8

Which two statements best express Dr. King’s rebuttal to the opposing claim that his 

action in Birmingham is untimely? (This question is broken into two parts)

• People must oppose unjust laws because they are used to oppress minorities.

• African Americans have waited in vain over 340 years for freedom.

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CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.6

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9B

Based on the selection, what can the reader infer about Dr. King’s feelings toward the members of the clergy whom he addresses in his letter?

• He is fearful of their power to strip him of his leadership position.

• He is disappointed in their willingness to avoid supporting what is morally right.

• He has a very close relationship with them and works with them on a regular basis.

• He has a great deal of respect for them because of their stance on social issues.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Dr. King compares just and unjust laws in order to explain why African Americans —

• Are facing an unfair judicial system

• Have the right to break some laws

• Are resentful of the judicial system

• Have been afraid to protest laws

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CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1