G9 Q3 T1 Review

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 he does not trust the white clergy to host fair negotiations

• Because a significant political election had just taken place

• Because Birmingham failed to keep promises 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? Savannah 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 Tasha decides to postpone an appointment with Katie, which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of postpone.

• Tasha and Katie will meet at an earlier time than they had planned to do.

• Tasha and Katie will meet at a later time than they had originally agreed.

• Tasha and Katie decide to cancel the project they had considered.

• Tasha and Katie 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.

• 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.

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.

Read this sentence from “Letter from Birmingham Jail”: [T]here are two types of laws: just and unjust. Which statement best describes the distinction King draws, in the letter, between two types of laws?

• Just laws apply to deep-seated human prejudices, while unjust laws do not.

• Just laws can realistically be enforced in actual life, while unjust laws cannot.

• Just laws are rooted in universal principles of fairness, while unjust laws are not.

• Just laws vary in harshness according to circumstances, while unjust laws do not.