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One of the most famous speeches of the last century is "I Have a Dream," by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Though most Americans are familiar with the last section of the speech, in which Dr. King articulates his dream of freedom and equality, the rest of the speech deserves just as much attention for its social significance and rhetorical power.
After rereading the speech carefully, take this brief quiz to check your comprehension.
1. Where and when did Dr. King deliver this speech?
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Detroit, Michigan; in June 1943, following a weekend of riots
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Montgomery, Alabama; in December 1955, after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man
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Washington, D.C.; in August 1963, at the climax of a march from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial
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Richmond, Virginia; in December 1965, on the centennial of the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment
Correct
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2. In the second paragraph of the speech (beginning "Five score years ago . . ."), which extended metaphor does Dr. King introduce?
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Life as a journey
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Highs (mountains) and lows (valleys)
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Life as a dream
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Light (day) and darkness (night)
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Wrong
Read more about extended metaphors.
3. Which of the following is NOT an example of anaphora in this speech?
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Wrong
An anaphora is a word or phrase that's repeated at the beginning of successive clauses.
4. What analogy does Dr. King use in order to illustrate America’s broken promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to “her citizens of color"?
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A check that has come back marked "insufficient funds"
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A bucket tied to a frayed rope over a bottomless well
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A crossroads in a dark forest
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A vast stretch of sand occasionally interrupted by lakes
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5. "[M]any of our white brothers . . . have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom." What does "inextricably bound" mean here?
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Unable to be excused or pardoned
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Unable to be separated or disconnected
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Unable to be solved or explained
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Unable to be forgotten or unseen
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6. What does Dr. King imply about the Emancipation Proclamation?
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It did not actually afford African Americans true freedom
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It effectively eliminated racial injustice in America
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It was not an important part of American history
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It was Abraham Lincoln's greatest achievement
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Wrong
7. In paragraph 11, Dr. King addresses those in the audience who have been unjustly imprisoned and "battered by . . . police brutality." What advice does Dr. King offer to these people?
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Seek revenge at all costs
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Recruit lawyers and sue your local police departments
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Return home and continue to work for justice
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Pray that God will forgive those who persecuted you
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Wrong
8. In the paragraphs beginning with the now-famous phrase "I have a dream," Dr. King mentions members of his own family. Which family members does he mention?
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His mother and father
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His sister and brother, Christine and Alfred
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His four little children
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His wife, Coretta Scott King
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9. Near the end of the speech, Dr. King delivers a patriotic appeal by:
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Unfurling an American flag
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Quoting "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
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Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
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Singing "America, the Beautiful"
Correct
Wrong
10. At the end of the speech, Dr. King repeatedly calls out, "Let freedom ring." Which one of the following locations does he NOT name in this part of the speech?
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The Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York
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Lookout Mountain of Tennessee
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The heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania
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Stone Mountain of Georgia
Correct
Wrong
Good start! Refresh your knowledge with these resources:
Great job! Continue increasing your understanding of the speech with these resources: