Letter from Birmingham Jail Quiz

Read the sentence from paragraph 2. Which rhetorical devices does Dr. King use to add emphasis to this sentence? Select TWO correct answers.

• Repetition

• Parallelism

• Allusion

• Antithesis

• Fallacy

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E2.8G

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

• It justifies the need for nonviolent action.

• It shows the power of nonviolent action against segregation.

• It advances nonviolent action as a negotiation tool.

• It clarifies why nonviolent action is as effective as violence.

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E2.8B

Read the sentence from paragraph 6. Based on context in this sentence and the paragraph, what is the meaning of gainsaying?

• Explaining

• Concealing

• Contradicting

• Resolving

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E2.2B

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

• using logical appeal

• using emotional appeal

• establishing his authority

• establishing his credibility

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E2.8G

What purpose do paragraphs 21 and 22 serve?

• They provide evidence to support a claim.

• They develop an opposing claim.

• They add emotional appeal to a claim.

• They use parallelism to amplify a claim.

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E2.8A

What is the purpose of the allusions Dr. King makes in paragraphs 3 and 31? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

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E2.5C

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

• 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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E2.8G

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.

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E2.8G

Which statements best express Dr. King’s rebuttal to the opposing claim that his action in Birmingham is untimely? Select TWO correct answers.

• The new city administration would be as unresponsive as previous ones.

• The Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public schools in 1954.

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

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

• There are four steps in organizing nonviolent campaigns.

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E2.8G

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

• have been afraid to protest laws

• are resentful of the judicial system

• have the right to break some laws

• are facing an unfair judicial system

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E2.8A