Question
Reread paragraph 9 of “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Then answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
From “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
9 You may well ask, “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, etc.? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are exactly right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. I just referred to the creation of tension as a part of the work of the nonviolent resister. This may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word tension. I have earnestly worked and preached against violent tension, but there is a type of constructive nonviolent tension that is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. So the purpose of the direct action is to create a situation so crisis packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. We, therefore, concur with you in your call for negotiation. Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue.
What primary source does King use to support his argument?
A. The questions that the readers might ask
B. Socrates’ views on tension
C. King’s views on tension
D. The fact that the community has refused to negotiate
For readers of King’s letter, is the above reference a primary or secondary source?
A. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a primary source.
B. It’s a primary source because King is referencing a historical figure.
C. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a secondary source.
D. It’s a primary source because King, the author, is a historical figure.
How does King’s reference to a primary source contribute to making his letter a document of literary and historical significance?
A. By referencing a primary source King is stating a new and unique idea.
B. By referencing Socrates King is debating one of the greatest minds in history.
C. King builds on a powerful theme originally stated by Socrates, an important thinker.
D. King is helping to convince people of Socrates’ argument.
From “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
9 You may well ask, “Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, etc.? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are exactly right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. I just referred to the creation of tension as a part of the work of the nonviolent resister. This may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word tension. I have earnestly worked and preached against violent tension, but there is a type of constructive nonviolent tension that is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. So the purpose of the direct action is to create a situation so crisis packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. We, therefore, concur with you in your call for negotiation. Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue.
What primary source does King use to support his argument?
A. The questions that the readers might ask
B. Socrates’ views on tension
C. King’s views on tension
D. The fact that the community has refused to negotiate
For readers of King’s letter, is the above reference a primary or secondary source?
A. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a primary source.
B. It’s a primary source because King is referencing a historical figure.
C. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a secondary source.
D. It’s a primary source because King, the author, is a historical figure.
How does King’s reference to a primary source contribute to making his letter a document of literary and historical significance?
A. By referencing a primary source King is stating a new and unique idea.
B. By referencing Socrates King is debating one of the greatest minds in history.
C. King builds on a powerful theme originally stated by Socrates, an important thinker.
D. King is helping to convince people of Socrates’ argument.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers to your multiple-choice questions based on paragraph 9 of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”:
1. What primary source does King use to support his argument?
**B. Socrates’ views on tension**
2. For readers of King’s letter, is the above reference a primary or secondary source?
**A. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a primary source.**
3. How does King’s reference to a primary source contribute to making his letter a document of literary and historical significance?
**C. King builds on a powerful theme originally stated by Socrates, an important thinker.**
1. What primary source does King use to support his argument?
**B. Socrates’ views on tension**
2. For readers of King’s letter, is the above reference a primary or secondary source?
**A. It’s a secondary source because King is referencing a primary source.**
3. How does King’s reference to a primary source contribute to making his letter a document of literary and historical significance?
**C. King builds on a powerful theme originally stated by Socrates, an important thinker.**