Author's Perspective Analysis

Booker T. Washington gave a famous speech in 1895. He said Black Americans should focus on learning jobs and trades: "We can work separately but succeed together." W.E.B. Du Bois disagreed with this idea. He wrote in 1903: "People shouldn't have to give up their rights to get ahead." How does Du Bois acknowledge Washington's perspective while presenting his opposing view?

• By completely agreeing with Washington's perspective

• By ignoring Washington's perspective

• By acknowledging Washington's perspective but presenting his own opposing view

• By presenting his view without mentioning Washington

Booker T. Washington gave a famous speech in 1895. He said Black Americans should focus on learning jobs and trades: "We can work separately but succeed together." W.E.B. Du Bois disagreed with this idea. He wrote in 1903: "People shouldn't have to give up their rights to get ahead." Washington is trying to (a)   in his speech.

• Persuade the audience to take action
• Inform the audience about a new policy
• Entertain the audience with a story
• Criticize the opposition party

Booker T. Washington gave a famous speech in 1895. He said Black Americans should focus on learning jobs and trades: "We can work separately but succeed together." W.E.B. Du Bois disagreed with this idea. He wrote in 1903: "People shouldn't have to give up their rights to get ahead." Washington uses what kind of language to make his point?

• Formal

• Informal

• Persuasive

• Descriptive

Rosa Parks said in 1955: "People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was tired of giving in." Some people claimed she was just being difficult. How does Parks respond to what people say about her?

• Parks ignores what people say about her.

• Parks responds positively to what people say about her.

• Parks responds negatively to what people say about her.

• Parks is indifferent to what people say about her.

Rosa Parks said in 1955: "People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was tired of giving in." Some people claimed she was just being difficult. What point is Parks making?

• Parks is arguing for the importance of civil rights.

• Parks is discussing the impact of climate change.

• Parks is explaining a new scientific theory.

• Parks is narrating a historical event.

In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King said: "I have a dream that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." Some people said change was happening too fast. Dr. King responds to those who want to wait by stating that waiting has almost always meant "never." What does he emphasize about the urgency of the situation?

• He believes that waiting will lead to progress.

• He argues that waiting has historically meant "never."

• He feels that waiting is a sign of patience.

• He thinks that waiting is a strategic move.

Ruby Bridges wrote about being the first Black student at her school: "Some people were angry about me going to the school. But my teacher, Mrs. Henry, was kind to me. This showed me that not everyone was against us." How does Ruby balance the good and bad in her story?

• By focusing only on the good aspects

• By ignoring the bad aspects

• By acknowledging both the good and bad

• By emphasizing the bad aspects

Maya Angelou wrote: "You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies... Still I rise." Some people didn't want her to speak up. Angelou responds to people who try to stop her by (a)  

• She ignores them
• She confronts them
• She listens to them
• She avoids them

Barack Obama said in 2008: "Yes we can!" Others said America wasn't ready for a Black president. Obama responds to doubts by:

• ignoring them

• addressing them directly

• delegating to his team

• avoiding public appearances

In discussing reparations, Ta-Nehisi Coates writes: "Perhaps after a serious discussion and debate... we may find that the country can never fully repay African Americans. But we stand to discover much about ourselves in such a discussion." Critics argue that reparations would be divisive and impractical. How does Coates acknowledge practical concerns while maintaining his position?

• By ignoring real concerns entirely

• By balancing practical concerns with his ideals

• By focusing only on theory

• By dismissing opposing viewpoints