**Letter From Birmingham Jail Quiz

Why does King write "Letter From Birmingham Jail"? Choose two options.

• to respond to well-intentioned criticism of the civil rights movement

• to make his argument to everyone who will read the letter after its publication

• to occupy his time while he is waiting to be released from jail

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 Birmingham failed to keep promises made in earlier negotiations

• because a significant political election has just taken place in Birmingham

According to "Letter From Birmingham Jail," why is King "so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership"? Select the options below that apply.

• King believes that the leaders have not stood up boldly in support of civil rights.

• King believes that the leaders have become entirely absorbed in secular rather than religious concerns.

• 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? Select two options.

• He knows that many great leaders in history were extremists.

• He believes in extremism as an alternative to violence.

• He knows that extremists are always violent and destructive.

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of yearning?

• a) a longing for springtime while in the depths of an icy winter

• b) the celebration of an achievement that represents long and patient effort

• c) an increase in speed by a runner after she checks the time

What is the meaning of idly in the following sentence? Savannah gazed idly out the window.

• in a lazy, passive way

• in a puzzled, confused way

• in a cheerful, happy 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 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,' King cites T. S. Eliot's observation about doing 'the right deed for the wrong reason.' How does Eliot's observation apply to actions that King describes in his letter?

• It applies to the 'Negro sit inners and demonstrators' who show amazing discipline in their nonviolent protests, even when they face great provocation.

• It applies to those Birmingham police officers who use legal, nonviolent means to handle demonstrators in public but do so to maintain the injustice of racial discrimination.

• It applies to the seventy-two-year-old African American woman who supports the boycott of Montgomery's segregated bus system even though she is tired and oppressed.

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 moderates who play no active role in the movement are secretly working against it.

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

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

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