Central Idea & Evidence
What is the central idea of MLK’s speech?
A. America should pass new laws about taxes
B. America must honor its promise of equality and justice for all
C. Civil rights leaders should avoid all protests
D. The main goal is to end all speeches in Washington
B. America must honor its promise of equality and justice for all
Quoting the Declaration of Independence is an example of what rhetorical appeal?
A. Logos
B. Ethos
C. Pathos
D. Irony
B. Ethos
The metaphor “beacon light of hope” creates what mood?
A. Fearful
B. Hopeful
C. Angry
D. Confusing
B. Hopeful
The root alien in unalienable most closely means:
A. “Other/foreign”
B. “Strong”
C. “Equal”
D. “Join together”
A. “Other/foreign”
What is MLK’s main purpose in the speech?
A. To entertain with a personal story
B. To argue for more segregation
C. To persuade America to act for racial equality
D. To explain the history of banking
C. To persuade America to act for racial equality
MLK says, “One hundred years later, the Negro still is not free.”
How does this support his central idea?
A. It shows slavery lasted longer than expected
B. It proves that the Emancipation Proclamation was unpopular
C. It highlights that equality still hasn’t been achieved
D. It suggests that African Americans don’t want freedom
C. It highlights that equality still hasn’t been achieved
When MLK says “We cannot walk alone,” he is using rhetoric to:
A. Promote unity and shared responsibility
B. Encourage separation between groups
C. Suggest that protests should end
D. Argue that only leaders should act
A. Promote unity and shared responsibility
What mood is created by the metaphor “long night of their captivity”?
A. Calm and peaceful
B. Playful and energetic
C. Dark and painful
D. Excited and joyful
C. Dark and painful
Using context clues, “the tranquilizing drug of gradualism” suggests that “gradualism” means:
A. A fast solution
B. A slow, delayed approach
C. A violent protest
D. A secret plan
B. A slow, delayed approach
Why does MLK repeat “Now is the time”?
A. To make the speech longer
B. To emphasize the urgency of taking action
C. To confuse the audience
D. To critique the Emancipation Proclamation
B. To emphasize the urgency of taking action
MLK compares America’s promise to a “bad check.” What point is he making?
A. America has too many banks
B. America owed money to other countries
C. America has failed to deliver its promise of equal rights
D. People should not trust financial institutions
C. America has failed to deliver its promise of equal rights
How does mentioning his children help MLK’s appeal to his audience?
A. It provides a random logical detail
B. It creates an emotional appeal that strengthens his message
C. It argues that children should not attend marches
D. It explains the laws of the time
B. It creates an emotional appeal that strengthens his message
America is stuck in “the quicksands of racial injustice.” The figurative language creates a mood of:
A. Stability and comfort
B. Danger and urgency
C. Celebration and hope
D. Laziness and boredom
B. Danger and urgency
The root just- in “justice” means:
A. “Free”
B. “Law/right”
C. “Angry”
D. “Divide”
B. “Law/right”
Why does King insist on nonviolence in the struggle for civil rights?
To show moral authority, keep the movement peaceful, and appeal to the conscience of all Americans.
How does King support the idea that African Americans are still denied freedom 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation?
Hint:
"King shows that African Americans are still denied freedom by describing __________
He describes segregation, poverty, and discrimination, using phrases like “the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty” and “still languished in the corners of American society.”
Why does MLK include examples of discrimination in hotels, voting booths, and schools?
To present logical evidence of systemic inequality.
Identify the figurative language:
“Rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation.”
Metaphor, comparing segregation to a valley of darkness.
The word “sweltering” is used to describe the summer of the Negro’s discontent. What does it most likely mean?
A) Extremely hot or oppressive
B) Calm and peaceful
C) Light and breezy
D) Pleasant and mild
A) Extremely hot or oppressive
Why does MLK use references to geography (mountains, hills, states) in the “let freedom ring” section?
To show that freedom must spread across the entire nation
Why does MLK list multiple injustices (police brutality, voting issues, segregation)?
To show the widespread failure to provide equality and strengthen his central argument for immediate change.
Teacher may accept other answers.
How does the repeated phrase “I have a dream” function rhetorically?
Rephrased:
(What is the Rhetorical Purpose of the phrase?)
It builds hope, emotional appeal (pathos), and reinforces his vision through repetition
How does the imagery “oasis of freedom and justice” influence mood?
It creates a hopeful, refreshing, peaceful mood about the future.
In the speech, King uses the word “invigorating” to describe the autumn of freedom. What does it most likely mean?
A) Tiring or exhausting
B) Energetic, or refreshing
C) Ordinary or plain
D) Cold and unwelcoming
B) Energetic, refreshing, or giving new life
How does MLK achieve his purpose through tone?
He uses a blend of urgency, hope, and moral authority to inspire action and unify the audience.