Letter from Birmingham Jail Quiz

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

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

• 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 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

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

Match the following statements with the correct reason King was disappointed with the white church and its leadership.

• Reason King was disappointed because of the church's mismanagement and exploitation of the contributions from the needy.

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

• Reason King was disappointed as he felt the church was out of touch with the concerns of the younger generation.

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

• Reason King was disappointed due to the lack of courageous support for civil rights from the church's leaders.

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

• Reason King was disappointed because the church's leadership focused more on worldly matters than on spiritual ones.

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

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.

In "Letter from Birmingham Jail," who is the "we" to whom King refers most clearly in this sentence? " (a)   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.

Match the following excerpts with the correct description that best supports the answer to the original question.

• A call to recognize the efforts and struggles against injustice.

• 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.

• An explanation for the necessity of public demonstrations.

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

• A stance on finding a middle ground amidst extreme ideologies.

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

• An expression of disappointment towards the misunderstanding of nonviolent efforts.

• 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. . . .

Identify the choice that best answers the question. Which of the following excerpts from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is an example of an allusion?

• We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal.”

• But now I must affirm that it is just as wrong, or perhaps even more so, to use moral means to preserve immoral ends.

• I wish you had condemned the Negro sit inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation.

• If I have said anything in this letter that overstates the truth and indicates an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me.

Identify the choice that best answers the question. Which of the following sentences from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is an example of antithesis?

• My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent resister may sound rather shocking.

• One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely.

• My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure.

• We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Which of the following excerpts from 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' contains an example of a rhetorical question?

• In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence. . . . Isn’t this like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery?

• One of the basic points in your statement is that the action that I and my associates have taken in Birmingham is untimely. Some have asked: “Why didn’t you give the new city administration time to act?”

• Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say, “Wait.” But . . . 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?” . . . then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.

• . . . at first glance it may seem rather paradoxical for us consciously to break laws. One may well ask: “How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?”