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Smalley, letter from Birmingham Jail

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

According to the author, what is the relationship between injustice and justice?

a)

Injustice in one place does not affect justice elsewhere

b)

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere

c)

Justice can only be achieved through violent means

d)

Justice is independent of injustice

2.

What is the primary reason the author is in Birmingham?

a)

To visit family

b)

To engage in nonviolent direct action

c)

To attend a conference

d)

To negotiate with city officials

3.

What are the four basic steps in a nonviolent campaign mentioned by the author?

a)

Planning, execution, reflection, and celebration

b)

Collection of facts, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action

c)

Protest, negotiation, agreement, and implementation

d)

Education, demonstration, negotiation, and resolution

4.

What does the author mean by "constructive, nonviolent tension"?

a)

A type of tension that leads to violence

b)

A tension that is necessary for growth and change

c)

A tension that should be avoided at all costs

d)

A tension that is only theoretical

5.

How does the author justify the timing of the direct action campaign?

a)

By stating that waiting longer would have been more strategic

b)

By arguing that justice delayed is justice denied

c)

By suggesting that the new administration needed more time

d)

By claiming that the timing was irrelevant

6.

What does the author suggest is the purpose of direct action?

a)

To create chaos and disorder

b)

To force a community to confront issues it has ignored

c)

To replace negotiation entirely

d)

To demonstrate power and control

7.

What does the author imply about the promises made by Birmingham's businesses?

a)

They were fulfilled promptly

b)

They were broken, leading to disappointment

c)

They were irrelevant to the cause

d)

They were never made

8.

What historical fact does the author mention about privileged groups?

a)

They give up their privileges once they realize they have them

b)

They seldom give up their privileges without pressure

c)

They are always willing to negotiate

d)

They are usually supportive of change

9.

What does the author mean by "justice too long delayed is justice denied"?

a)

Justice can wait indefinitely

b)

Delaying justice is equivalent to denying it

c)

Justice is not important

d)

Justice is always timely

10.

What does the author believe about the interconnectedness of communities?

a)

Communities are isolated and independent

b)

All communities are interrelated and affect each other

c)

Only neighboring communities are connected

d)

Communities should remain separate

11.

What does the author suggest about the role of negotiation in the civil rights movement?

a)

Negotiation is unnecessary and should be avoided

b)

Negotiation is a crucial step before direct action

c)

Negotiation is more important than direct action

d)

Negotiation should be the final step in any campaign

12.

How does the author view the impact of nonviolent direct action on public awareness?

a)

It confuses the public about the issues

b)

It raises public awareness about ignored issues

c)

It decreases public awareness

d)

It has no impact on public awareness

13.

Which statement best describes the distinction King draws, in the letter, between two types of laws?

a)

Just laws uplift people and unjust laws degrade human spirit.

b)

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

14.

Which excerpt from "Letter From Birmingham Jail" best supports the idea that King believes the civil rights movement will ultimately succeed?

a)

"We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom."

b)

"I have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood."

c)

"The Negro has many pent up resentments and latent frustrations, and he must release them."

15.

How does King justify breaking laws while also advocating for adherence to the Supreme Court's decision on desegregation?

a)

He argues that some laws are just and should be followed, while unjust laws should be resisted.

b)

He believes that all laws should be followed, but protests are necessary to change unjust laws.

c)

He claims that the Supreme Court's decision overrides all local laws on segregation.