Feature
Thurgood Marshall: A Career in Law
Lance Carson
After graduating from Howard University Law School in 1933, Thurgood Marshall worked at his own law practice for three years. Then he went to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a civil rights group. Marshall worked on many important cases while at the NAACP, but by 1961 he was ready for a change and needed to earn more money to support his family. Marshall thought he might get a job at a private law firm, but President John F. Kennedy had a different idea: President Kennedy asked Marshall to become a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals in New York.
Just the fact that the president appointed Marshall didn't mean he would get the job. According to the Constitution, federal judges must be approved by the Senate. At that time, racism was strong in many parts of the country. Some people did not want Marshall, a black lawyer who had been a leader in the civil rights movement, to become a judge. Some senators held up his appointment for almost a year. Finally, in 1962, the Senate gave its approval and Marshall became a federal judge.
Marshall was very good at his job, but, as Marshall said, "Once you get to become a judge, you want to get on the Supreme Court."
In 1965, Marshall got a request from another president. President Lyndon Johnson wanted him to become the solicitor general. The solicitor general is the lawyer who represents the United States government in all Supreme Court cases -- a very important job.
Marshall hoped the job might lead to an appointment to the Supreme Court. He was right. President Johnson appointed Marshall to the United States Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African-American Supreme Court justice. President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Although there was some dissent, the country had changed and Marshall was approved by the Senate. He served for 24 years.
Question
How does the author support the claim that "racism was strong in many parts of the county"?
Responses
A Statistics are provided to support the claim.Statistics are provided to support the claim.
B Individuals who held racist beliefs are identified.Individuals who held racist beliefs are identified.
C Two general examples that require inference are given.Two general examples that require inference are given.
D Regional examples are given to identify racist parts of the country.
7 answers
Responses
A The author relies on a biographical sketch of the life of Thurgood Marshall to show how many obstacles Marshall had and his efforts to overcome them.The author relies on a biographical sketch of the life of Thurgood Marshall to show how many obstacles Marshall had and his efforts to overcome them.
B The author provides a chronological order of Marshall's professional life to show how Marshall became a Supreme Court judge.The author provides a chronological order of Marshall's professional life to show how Marshall became a Supreme Court judge.
C The author uses a problem and solution organization to highlight the role of presidents in selecting a Supreme Court judge.The author uses a problem and solution organization to highlight the role of presidents in selecting a Supreme Court judge.
D The author explains the similarities between judges and presidents in order to show the characteristics needed for leadership positions.
Responses
A His value of educationHis value of education
B His difficulty with being confirmedHis difficulty with being confirmed
C His desire to be on the Supreme CourtHis desire to be on the Supreme Court
D His work advancing the cause of Civil Rights
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Feature
Thurgood Marshall: A Career in Law
Lance Carson
After graduating from Howard University Law School in 1933, Thurgood Marshall worked at his own law practice for three years. Then he went to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a civil rights group. Marshall worked on many important cases while at the NAACP, but by 1961 he was ready for a change and needed to earn more money to support his family. Marshall thought he might get a job at a private law firm, but President John F. Kennedy had a different idea: President Kennedy asked Marshall to become a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals in New York.
Just the fact that the president appointed Marshall didn't mean he would get the job. According to the Constitution, federal judges must be approved by the Senate. At that time, racism was strong in many parts of the country. Some people did not want Marshall, a black lawyer who had been a leader in the civil rights movement, to become a judge. Some senators held up his appointment for almost a year. Finally, in 1962, the Senate gave its approval and Marshall became a federal judge.
Marshall was very good at his job, but, as Marshall said, "Once you get to become a judge, you want to get on the Supreme Court."
In 1965, Marshall got a request from another president. President Lyndon Johnson wanted him to become the solicitor general. The solicitor general is the lawyer who represents the United States government in all Supreme Court cases -- a very important job.
Marshall hoped the job might lead to an appointment to the Supreme Court. He was right. President Johnson appointed Marshall to the United States Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African-American Supreme Court justice. President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Although there was some dissent, the country had changed and Marshall was approved by the Senate. He served for 24 years.
Question
Which BEST summarizes or paraphrases this source?
Responses
A Thurgood Marshall is considered the best American lawyer our country has ever seen. He earned this praise from the hard work he performed in many positions. He worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He worked as a federal judge. Next he worked as a solicitor general. Marshall wanted a position on the Supreme Court, which he received in 1967. He served for twenty four years as the first African American on the Supreme Court.Thurgood Marshall is considered the best American lawyer our country has ever seen. He earned this praise from the hard work he performed in many positions. He worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He worked as a federal judge. Next he worked as a solicitor general. Marshall wanted a position on the Supreme Court, which he received in 1967. He served for twenty four years as the first African American on the Supreme Court.
B Thurgood Marshall graduated from Howard University Law School in 1933. He worked at his own law practice for three years. Then he went to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a civil rights group. By 1961 he was ready for a change and needed to earn more money. President Kennedy asked Marshall to become a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals in New York. Later he became a judge on the Supreme Court. This was a position he always wanted.Thurgood Marshall graduated from Howard University Law School in 1933. He worked at his own law practice for three years. Then he went to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a civil rights group. By 1961 he was ready for a change and needed to earn more money. President Kennedy asked Marshall to become a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals in New York. Later he became a judge on the Supreme Court. This was a position he always wanted.
C Thurgood Marshall held many important positions as lawyer. He hoped the jobs might lead to an appointment to the Supreme Court. He was right. President Johnson appointed Marshall to the United States Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African-American Supreme Court justice. President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Although there was some dissent, the country had changed and Marshall was approved by the Senate. He served for twenty four years.Thurgood Marshall held many important positions as lawyer. He hoped the jobs might lead to an appointment to the Supreme Court. He was right. President Johnson appointed Marshall to the United States Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African-American Supreme Court justice. President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Although there was some dissent, the country had changed and Marshall was approved by the Senate. He served for twenty four years.
D Thurgood Marshall had a long and successful legal career beginning in 1933 when he became a lawyer in private practice. He worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Racism among senators delayed his appointment as a federal judge for almost a year, but the African American lawyer became a federal judge in 1962. Next he worked as a solicitor general. Marshall wanted a position on the Supreme Court, which he received in 1967. He served for twenty four years as the first African American on the Supreme Court.
1 answer