The Letter from Birmingham Jail

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.

What rhetorical device is the following quote most likely an example of? "When you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading 'white' and 'colored'"

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

Why does Dr. King say that he is answering the clergymen?

• They have acted in an unwise way.

• King uses letter-writing to bring about change.

• Their letter shows them to be extremists.

• He believes them to be sincere and good.

Dr. King alludes to Paul Tillich's opinion that sin is separation to...

• illustrate that he reads the Bible.

• show church leaders how they have sinned.

• strengthen his argument against segregation.

• suggest that Paul Tillich is on his side.

What does Dr. King mean when he says, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."?

• Justice does not exist in America.

• Everyone is affected when one person is hurt.

• All Americans are equally threatened.

• All laws are unjust and should be ignored.

An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law or natural law. Dr. King uses this allusion to St. Thomas Aquinas to...

• encourage citizens to break laws they disagree with.

• support the view that segregation laws are unjust.

• assert that all laws must be obeyed.

• impress other clergymen with his knowledge.

What is the basis for King’s argument against the idea that he is an outsider who came to Birmingham?

• He was born in Birmingham.

• He has many relatives in Birmingham.

• He has organizational ties in Birmingham.

• He went to college in Birmingham/

What is the primary purpose of Dr. King's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'?

• To criticize the Birmingham government

• To respond to criticism from clergymen

• To announce a new civil rights march

• To express personal grievances

Which literary device is predominantly used in the phrase 'justice too long delayed is justice denied'?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Alliteration

• Antithesis

In 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', how does Dr. King justify breaking certain laws?

• By arguing that all laws are inherently unjust

• By stating that unjust laws degrade human personality

• By claiming that laws are meant to be broken

• By suggesting that laws are temporary