"I Have a Dream" Comprehension Quiz

How does King's repetition of the phrase 'we can never be satisfied' support his argument?

• He provides examples of injustice each time he uses the phrase.
• He tells the audience how angry he is.
• He shows different geographic areas of America.
• He demonstrates his patriotism.

What does King mean when he says that America gave African-Americans a 'bad check'?

• America failed to support racial equality.
• America owes African Americans money.
• America hasn't checked their ability to treat everyone fairly.
• African Americans are angry at banks.

In “I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr. urges his followers to

• Work toward gradual change
• Demand justice now
• Use any means necessary
• Distrust white people

The main focus of King’s speech is on

• Celebrating the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
• Convincing everyone to live in peace and tranquility
• Ending segregation and racial injustice in America
• Getting more money for America’s black population

In paragraphs four and five, Dr. King uses an analogy to illustrate America’s broken promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to “her citizens of color.” What is this analogy?

• A promissory note--a check that has come back marked “insufficient funds”
• A dark empty well with a bottomless bucket tied to a frayed rope
• A crossroads in a dark forest
• A recurrent nightmare

Dr. King’s speech does NOT incorporate

• repeated phrases
• quotations from songs
• thanks to distinguished guests
• references to the Bible

How did Dr. King appeal to his audience?

• He compared them to children
• He appealed to their sense of justice, fair play, and patriotism
• He reminded them of the homeland from which they have come
• He made them angry about their history by repeatedly referring to slavery

Toward the end of the speech, in the paragraphs beginning with the now-famous phrase "I have a dream," Dr. King mentions certain members of his own family. Why does he do this?

• To connect with his audience as a fellow parent and have them think of their own children
• To show everyone how well he has raised his children
• To get the white members of the audience to feel guilty for how they treated his children
• To have a reason to bring his children to the speech

"...we will be able to transform the jangling DISCORDS of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood."

• the act of submitting
• strife resulting from a lack of agreement
• a courteous expression of esteem or regard
• the act of becoming more distant

"We have also come to this HALLOWED spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now."

• formed by making a hole
• nearly forgotten; largely ignored
• highly respected, regarded as holy
• depressingly empty or bare