"Letter from Birmingham Jail" Multiple Choice

In his opening statement, 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.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

What does King mean 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.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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.RI.9-10.1

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.
• waiting for freedom.
• asking for compromise.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Which is NOT one of the four basic steps in any nonviolent campaign?

• collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist
• negotiation
• physical retaliation
• direct action

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

King states that there are two types of laws:  just and unjust.  Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a "just" law?

• man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God
• uplifts human personality
• a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself
• is out of harmony with the moral law

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

How should someone break an unjust law?

• openly, lovingly and with a willingness to accept the penalty.

• confidently, aggressively, and unwilling to back down.

• fearfully, timidly, and with a willingness to surrender.

• arrogantly, proudly, and with a willingness to use violence.

Before MLK Jr. wrote the letter, his fellow clergymen considered him to be...

• Bold and Brilliant.

• Hostile and Threatening.

• Unwise and Untimely.

• Lovable and Kind.