Quicksand of Racial Injustice Test

The PRIMARY rhetorical function of the first paragraph in Kennedy... (I have bad news for you, for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and killed tonight.) ... is to a. suggest Martin Luther King's wide influence b. provide details of Martin Luther King's death c. incite moral outrage in the audience d. establish the speaker's close relationship with martin Luther King e. promote the speaker's own message of peace and tolerance

a. suggest Martin Luther King's wide influence

The author's (MLK) prose in lines 14-20... (In your statement you assert that our actions, even though peaceful, must be condemned because they precipitate violence. But is this a logical assertion? Isn't this like condemning a robbed man because his possession of money precipitated the evil act of robbery? Isn't this like condemning Socrates because his unswerving commitment to truth and his philosophical inquiries precipitated the act by the misguided populace in which they made him drink hemlock? Isn't this like condemning Jesus because his unique God consciousness and never ceasing devotion to God's will precipitated the evil act of crucifixion?) ...relies on all o the following EXCEPT: a. rhetorical questions b. allusion c. antithesis d. elliptical construction e. refutation

d. elliptical construction

Kennedy's tone in paragraph 12... (Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.) ...can BEST be described as a. disbelieving b. resigned c. inquisitive d. hopeful e. anxious

d. hopeful

Which of the following best characterizes the contrast of Douglass' paragraph 4... (This they would sing, as a chorus, to words which to many would seem unmeaning jargon, but which, nevertheless, were full of meaning to themselves. I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do.) ...to paragraph 5? (I did not, when a slave, understand the deep meaning of those rude and apparently incoherent songs. I was myself within the circle; so that I neither saw nor heard as those without might see and hear. They told a tale of woe which was then altogether beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterest anguish. Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains. The hearing of those wild notes always depressed my spirit, and filled me with ineffable sadness. I have frequently found myself in tears while hearing them. The mere recurrence to those songs, even now, afflicts me; and while I am writing these lines, an expression of feeling has already found its way down my cheek. To those songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery. I can never get rid of that conception. Those songs still follow me, to deepen my hatred of slavery, and quicken my sympathies for my brethren in bonds. If any one wishes to be impressed with the soul-killing effects of slavery, let him go to Colonel Lloyd's plantation, and, on allowance-day, place himself in the deep pine woods, and there let him, in silence, analyze the sounds that shall pass through the chambers of his soul,—and if he is not thus impressed, it will only be because "there is no flesh in his obdurate heart.") a. Paragraph 4 speculates in generalities, while paragraph 5 displays a specific reaction b. Paragraph 4 speaks about the song's emotional force, while paragraph 5 details an analysis of its lyrics c. paragraph 4 provides philosophical analysis, while paragraph 5 cites historical events d. Paragraph 4 describes empathy for slaves, while paragraph 5 shows hostility towards slave masters e. Paragraph 4 describes apathy and resignation, while paragraph 5 advocates violence and revolt

a. Paragraph 4 speculates in generalities, while paragraph 5 displays a specific reaction

In lines 1-6... (My Dear Fellow Clergymen:While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.) the author's (MLK) primary rhetorical strategy is to a. illustrate his own tolerance and patience b. moralize about societal injustice c. distinguish himself from his accusers d. garner sympathy from his audience e. outrage readers by describing his situation

a. illustrate his own tolerance and patience

The author's (Garrison) strategy in lines 26-30... (By the dissolution of the Union we shall give the finishing blow to the slave system; and then God will make it possible for us to form a true, vital, enduring, all-embracing Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific-one God to be worshipped, one Savior to be revered, one policy to be carried out-freedom everywhere to all the people, without regard to complexion or race-and the blessing of God resting upon us all! I want to see that glorious day!) ...is to a. incite readers to choose a path they may disagree with b. moralize about the injustices of slavery c. create sympathy for those who face injustice d. belittle those with an opposing point of view e. advocate for negotiations with slaveholding states

a. incite readers to choose a path they may disagree with

In lines 5-6... (The number of houses, too, conspired to give it advantage over the neighboring farms) ... the author's (Douglass) use of the word "conspired" suggests a. there is a danger on the arm which is not readily apparent b. there are revolts emerging from within the slave community c. the farm swindles its customers with unfair prices d. the neighboring farms plan to undermine the dominant institution e. the owners collaborate to keep the slave quarters in poor conditions

a. there is a danger on the farm which is not readily apparent

Line 22 in Garrison, "What concord hath Christ with Belial?" serves all of the following purposes except a. to elaborate on a specific anecdote b. to juxtapose two contrasting ideas c. to provide an example to illustrate a point d. to draw an equivalence between the beliefs of abolitionists and slaveowners e. to create an emotional appeal for his argument

a. to elaborate on a specific anecdote

Which of the following sentences parallels the effect of the author's (Douglass) stylistic choices in lines 56-59? (The singing of a man cast away upon a desolate island might be as appropriately considered as evidence of contentment and happiness, as the singing of a slave; the songs of the one and of the other are prompted by the same emotion.) a. "The whole place wore a business-like aspect very unlike the neighboring farms" b. "A representative could not be prouder of his election to a seat in the American Congress, than a slave on one of the out-farms would be of his election to do errands at the Great House Farm." c. "They would compose and sing as they went along, consulting neither time nor tune." d. "They told a tale of woe which was then altogether beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterest anguish." e. "To those songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery."

b. "A representative could not be prouder of his election to a seat in the American Congress, than a slave on one of the out-farms would be of his election to do errands at the Great House Farm."

The phrase "consulting neither time nor tune" corresponds to the author's (Douglass) own foregoing of "time" or "tune" in the sentence a. "The slaves selected to go to the Great House Farm, for the monthly allowance for themselves and their fellow-slaves, were peculiarly enthusiastic." b. "The thought that came up, came out—if not in the word, in the sound;—and as frequently in the one as in the other." c. "Into all of their songs they would manage to weave something of the Great House Farm." d. "I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do." e. "It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake."

b. "The thought that came up, came out—if not in the word, in the sound;—and as frequently in the one as in the other."

Which if the following best describes the effect of Douglass listing the actions in lines 2-4? (The shoemaking and mending, the blacksmithing, cartwrighting, coopering, weaving, and graingrinding, were all performed by the slaves on the home plantation) a. It disassociates the author's experiences from that of average slaves b. It emphasizes the amount of work that is accomplished by slave labor c. It suggests that forced labor yields low quality goods d. It stresses the author's envy of those who did not have to do hard labor e. It identifies the relationship of agriculture to the larger economy

b. It emphasizes the amount of work that is accomplished by slave labor

The sentence in lines 8-10... (A representative could not be prouder of his election to a seat in the American Congress, than a slave on one of the out-farms would be of his election to do errands at the Great House Farm.) ...best exemplifies the author's (Douglass) use of a. cause and effect b. analogy c. classification and division d. description e. definition

b. analogy

In the context of the passage as a whole, the author (Garrison) describes those who tried and convicted John Brown as "paupers" in line 11 because a. thieves have taken all of their earnings b. anyone who upholds slavery is morally bankrupt c. a division in the Union will cause the country to have financial hardships d. John Brown has freed slaves, and thus taken their property e. traveling to Kansas to Brown's trial has cost much money

b. anyone who upholds slavery is morally bankrupt

The final paragraph of MLK's letter (lines 47-52)... (I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith. I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or a civil-rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother. Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.) ...primarily serves to a. arrange a future meeting for future discussions b. close out the message on a note of hope c. provide final commentary on just governments d. deride the audience with sarcastic remarks and puns e. appeal to the sentimentality of the audience

b. close out the message on a note of hope

In paragraph 5 of Kennedy... (For those of you who are black and are tempted to be filled with hatred and distrust at the injustice of such an act, against all white people, I can only say that I feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling. I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man.) the author relies on which of the following to establish credibility a. concession of weakness b. shared experience with the audience c. formal language d. deductive reasoning e. demonstration of credentials

b. shared experience with the audience

In the context of paragraph 8, when Kennedy says "whether they are white or whether they are black, he suggests a. that racism is a consequence of clashing ideologies b. that race is inconsequential when it comes to matters of human dignity c. that blacks and whites will continue to experience great hostility d. that racial division will inevitably separate communities e. that white citizens are not as often victimized as black citizens

b. that race is inconsequential when it comes to matters of human dignity

King MOST LIKELY cites these examples of other "extremists" in lines 37-43... (Was not Jesus an extremist for love: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for justice: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Was not Martin Luther an extremist: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God." And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience." And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free." And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal . . .") ...for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. to appeal to the faith of the audience b. to aggrandize himself c. to indicate that his "extremism" is in fact patriotic d. to suggest the righteousness of his cause e. to indicate that progress demands "extremism"

b. to aggrandize himself

Which of the following are the MOST accurate rhetorical features of lines 29-31 in Kennedy? (What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another...) a. Personification and imagery, which humanize King after his physical death b. Metaphor and hyperbole, which heighten the feel of King's social contributions c. Anaphora and antithesis, which contrast the ideal to the real state of affairs d. Sarcasm and analogy, which suggest the speaker's tempered rage about King's murder e. Synechode and elliptical construction, which suggest the disjointed thoughts of the distressed speaker

c. Anaphora and antithesis, which contrast the ideal to the real state of affairs

Which of the following reasons does Douglass offer for why he could not ask his master his birthday? a. His master was just as ignorant as his fellow slaves. b. His master forbid that he speak a single word or make a single sound. c. He claims that it would be considered improper to do so. d. He claims that he didn't realize he had a birthday until he was free

c. He claims that it would be considered improper to do so.

What is the relationship of the second sentence of Garrison... (We must join together in the name of freedom.) ....to the first sentence... (God forbid that we should any longer continue the accomplices of thieves and robbers, of men-stealers and women-whippers!) ...of the speech? a. It is more complex structurally than the first b. It expresses a hesitation after the first c. It describes an effect that results from a cause stated in the first d. It simplifies a problem stated in the first e. It questions the logic expressed in the first

c. It describes an effect that results from a cause stated in the first

Although "evangelization"--or the spread of Christianity to the "savage" Africans--was used to justify slavery in it's early stages, by Douglass' time its clear that slavery is driven by a desire for profit alone. What's one reason, according to Douglass, that slave owners can no longer pretend that evangelization can be used to excuse slavery? a. "God cursed Ham," and so "American slavery is right" not because of biblical law but because of American law. b. "The lineal descendants of Ham" are not the only ones that are scriptural enslaved but those who are blind literalists when they read scripture. c. The majority of slaves now no longer are the"lineal descendants of Ham" but the offspring of white Christian masters. d. Because not enough print technology has arrived in America, and because most slaves are illiterate anyway, it would be impossible to teach them Christianity.

c. The majority of slaves now no longer are the"lineal descendants of Ham" but the offspring of white Christian masters.

In the passage's first sentence in line 1... (The home plantation of Colonel Lloyd wore the appearance of a country village) ...the author (Douglass) presents a. a subjective description that illustrates an idealistic setting b. an objective description that provides detail about setting c. an ironic description that conceals the brutality of the setting d. an embellished description that overstates the size of the setting e. a cryptic description that hints at the mystery of the setting

c. an ironic description that conceals the brutality of the setting

The author's (MLK) tone in this passage can best be described as a. sympathetic and tender b. unflinching and aggressive c. assertive and measured d. pedantic and scholarly e. detached and analytical

c. assertive and measured

In line 45 of Garrison... ("Onward, then, ye fearless band, Heart to heart, and hand to hand; Yours shall be the Christian's stand, Or the martyr's grave.") the "fearless band" MOST likely refers to a. historical figures b. victims of misfortune c. freedom fighters d. oppressors e. John Brown

c. freedom fighters

The primary functions of Douglass' lines 8-18... (A representative could not be prouder of his election to a seat in the American Congress, than a slave on one of the out-farms would be of his election to do errands at the Great House Farm. They regarded it as evidence of great confidence reposed in them by their overseers; and it was on this account, as well as a constant desire to be out of the field from under the driver's lash, that they esteemed it a high privilege, one worth careful living for. He was called the smartest and most trusty fellow, who had this honor conferred upon him the most frequently. The competitors for this office sought as diligently to please their overseers, as the office-seekers in the political parties seek to please and deceive the people. The same traits of character might be seen in Colonel Lloyd's slaves, as are seen in the slaves of the political parties.) ... is to a. contradict his earlier statements about the Great House Farm b. develop a criticism of the working conditions at the Great House Farm c. reveal the politics involved with promotion to the Great House Farm d. offer qualified approval for what goes on at the Great House Farm e. compare other large scale plantations to the Great House Farm

c. reveal the politics involved with promotion to the Great House Farm

In the context of lines 5-7 in Kennedy... (In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, it is perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in.) ...which of the following BEST corresponds to the speaker's use of "well"? a. through b. final c. sensible d. meticulous e. obligated

c. sensible

The pronoun "it" in Garrison... (We are living under an awful despotism-that of a brutal slave oligarchy. And they threaten to leave us if we do not continue to do their evil work, as we have hitherto done it, and go down in the dust before them!) ...refers to which of the following a. "freedom" b. "the Union" c. "despotism" d. "evil work" e. "paupers"

d. "evil work"

Which of the following words WOULD NOT accurately describe the tone of Wm. Lloyd Garrison's Preface? a. Laudatory b. Celebratory c. Exclamatory d. Conciliatory

d. Conciliatory

What are the different effects of the dashes in line 16 of Kennedy... (For those of you who are black and are tempted to be filled with--be filled with hatred and distrust at the injustice of such an act, against all white people, I can only say that I feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling.) and line 22? (My favorite poem, my--my favorite poet was Aeschylus.) a. The dash in line 16 separates two independent clauses; the dash in line 22 offsets parenthetical information from the main clause b. The dash in line 16 indicates the speaker's reflective pause; the dash in line 22 break the speech to allow the audience to reflect c. The dash in line 16 illustrates the speaker's internal frustration; the dash in line 22 suggests the speaker's resignation from that frustration d. The dash in line 16 suggests a pause for self-correction; the dash in line 22 suggests an emotional stammer in the speaker's delivery e. The dash in line 16 signals a transition from a formal to informal style; the dash in line 22 signals a transition from an informal to formal style

d. The dash in line 16 suggests a pause for self-correction; the dash in line 22 suggests an emotional stammer in the speaker's delivery

Which sentence best describes the complex situation that, according to Douglass, most slave women faced? a. Because slave women gave birth to children that were of the blood of their masters, the slave women had special privileges that slave men did not. b. Because slave women gave birth to children that were of the blood of their masters, the slave women often hated their own children. c. Although the mistresses were often their only and best friends, slave women were constantly subject to rape and torture by their best friends' husbands. d. White masters raped slave women; because of this, the white mistresses, the wives of the masters, often hated the slave women.

d. White masters raped slave women; because of this, the white mistresses, the wives of the masters, often hated the slave women.

In context, the author's (MLK) use of the phrase "constructive work" suggest (If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work.) a. he values the time of those who work around him b. persuasion must be both wise and timely c. even those who hold opposing views believe their work to be productive d. addressing typical criticisms of his work is unproductive e. the work done while incarcerated is unsatisfactory

d. addressing typical criticisms of his work is unproductive

Taken as a whole, the speech by Garrison is BEST described as a. a narrative to illustrate a dispute b. a logical acknowledgement to a reasoned argument c. a furious response to a personal provocation d. an incendiary reaction to a problem e. an extended definition

d. an incendiary reaction to a problem

Based on the content and form of the final paragraph... (I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons who could speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears. At least, such is my experience. I have often sung to drown my sorrow, but seldom to express my happiness. Crying for joy, and singing for joy, were alike uncommon to me while in the jaws of slavery. The singing of a man cast away upon a desolate island might be as appropriately considered as evidence of contentment and happiness, as the singing of a slave; the songs of the one and of the other are prompted by the same emotion.) the author (Douglass) is most likely relying on a. historical allusion to indicate that the horrors of slavery go back to the earliest days of human society b. archaic language to parody the speech patterns of slave masters and aristocrats c. parallel structure to reflect the author's assumption that all souls are equal d. antithesis to capture the conflict between a slave's inward emotion and outward expression e. ungrammatical sentences to suggest that the author's emotions cannot be easily put into words

d. antithesis to capture the conflict between a slave's inward emotion and outward expression

The effect of Douglass mentioning "highest joy and deepest sadness" is to present a. anaphora b. metonymy c. allusion d. paradox e. hyperbole

d. paradox

Chapter 1 demonstrates that the evils of slavery are evils concerned with alienating slaves from their individual identity, from their personhood, and from their humanity. As such, it makes sense that the chapter is framed by the practices of a. withholding Douglass' birthday and making him whip his nude aunt. b. withholding Douglass' birthday from him and calling him by the same name as the other slaves in his cohort. c. withholding Douglass' birthday and changing his name every 2 years. d. withholding Douglass' birthday from him and whipping and humiliating his aunt.

d. withholding Douglass' birthday from him and whipping and humiliating his aunt.

The interjection "yeah, its true" in line 34 of Kennedy can BEST be understood as a. an acknowledgment of the audience's tacit assumptions b. an abrupt tonal switch c. a parody of his opponent's speech patterns d. an aside which hints at suppressed hostility e. a reminder for those still in disbelief

e. a reminder for those still in disbelief

In context, the author (MLK) places the phrase "outsiders coming in"... (I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms. I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against "outsiders coming in.") ...in quotation marks in order to a. expose the individual who originally made the remark b. express a complex idea more simply c. universalize his predicament for his audience d. suggest that this phrase has alternative meanings e. emphasize the racist undertones of this justification

e. emphasize the racist undertones of this justification

The passage (Garrison) ends on a note of (How simple and how glorious! It is the complete solution of all the difficulties in the case. Oh, that the South may be wise before it is too late, and give heed to the word of the Lord! But, whether she will hear or forbear, let us renew our pledges to the cause of bleeding humanity, and spare no effort to make this truly the land of the free and the refuge of the oppressed! "Onward, then, ye fearless band,Heart to heart, and hand to hand;Yours shall be the Christian's stand,Or the martyr's grave.") a. complete weariness b. utter relief c. ominous warning d. ambiguous reality e. enthusiastic righteousness

e. enthusiastic righteousness

Which of the following is true of the quoted poem in lines 23-28 of Kennedy? (He wrote: "In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.") a. the poem emphasizes reason in the face of tragedy b. the poem describes the irreversible pain of an untimely death c. the poem promotes a belief in the afterlife d. the poem descries the cynical nature of grief and tragedy e. the poem provides insight into the paradoxes of death

e. the poem provides insight into the paradoxes of death