I Have a Dream and Letter from Birmingham

In “I Have a Dream,” what does Dr. King urge African Americans to do?

• struggle for equal rights with discipline and dignity

• appreciate the freedoms they currently have

• register to vote, even if it is not convenient

• regard all white people with suspicion

Which of the following answer choices best identifies the “dream” Dr. King describes in “I Have a Dream”?

• power for the poor and disadvantaged

• more wealth and prosperity for all Americans

• election of more public officials from minority ranks

• liberty and justice for all Americans regardless of race

In “I Have a Dream,” Dr. King tells his listeners that they should not “wallow in the valley of despair.” What feeling is he urging them to avoid?

• hopelessness from believing that the present situation will never change

• confidence that the present situation can be overcome without effort

• satisfaction that others will do the work of change for them

• resentment toward the society that has oppressed them

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 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 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.