Letter from Birmingham Jail Quiz

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 present his case to a lawyer who may get him out of jail

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

What is the meaning of idly in the following sentence? "Makyla 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

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

• Kennedy and Timothy will meet at an earlier time than they had planned to do.

• Kennedy and Timothy will meet at a later time than they had originally agreed.

• Kennedy and Timothy decide to cancel the project they had considered.

• Kennedy and Timothy change the agreed place of their appointment.

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 Americans

• all patriotic Americans

• the police force in Birmingham

• “outside agitators” in Birmingham

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.

Which excerpt from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” best supports the answer to Part A?

• 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 on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men. . . .

• At first I was rather disappointed that fellow clergymen would see my nonviolent efforts as those of an extremist.

• I have tried to stand between these two forces, saying that we need emulate neither the “do nothingism” of the complacent nor the hatred and despair of the black nationalist.

• If one recognizes this vital urge that has engulfed the Negro community, one should readily understand why public demonstrations are taking place.