Martin Luther King Jr. Speech and Literary Terms! Trivia Quiz

During the time that MLK gave his "I Have a Dream" speech, the Civil Rights Movement was occurring in America. This movement aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, and it included various protests, marches, and acts of civil disobedience. MLK's speech, delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, became one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement, as he passionately advocated for racial equality and justice. The speech played a significant role in raising awareness and inspiring people to join the movement for equal rights.

MLK stated that he was giving his speech in the shadows of Abraham Lincoln's monument. This implies that the speech was given at a location where there is a monument dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. As MLK was a prominent civil rights leader, it is likely that he chose to deliver his speech at a significant location related to the history of civil rights in the United States. Abraham Lincoln, as the president who signed the Emancipation Proclamation and played a crucial role in the abolition of slavery, is a symbol of freedom and equality, making his monument an appropriate backdrop for MLK's speech.

The term "figurative language" is used as an 'umbrella term' to encompass various literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc. These devices are used to add depth and richness to language, allowing writers to convey meaning in a more imaginative and expressive way. Understanding figurative language is important in Language Arts, particularly in the study of literature, as it helps readers to analyze and interpret the deeper layers of meaning in a text.

The word 'discord' refers to a lack of agreement among people or groups. It signifies a state of disagreement, conflict, or disharmony, where there is a lack of consensus or unity.

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his iconic speech, known as the "I Have a Dream" speech, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This speech is considered one of the most significant and powerful speeches in American history, as it called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination in the United States.

Martin Luther King, Jr. refers to "ghettos" as a part of a city where members of a minority group live, typically due to social, legal, or economic pressures. This suggests that he is discussing the segregated and marginalized neighborhoods where minority communities are forced to reside. The term "ghetto" does not refer to a slang term or a place built upon a swamp, but rather carries the connotation of systemic discrimination and inequality.

The given answer is an example of repetition from the speech because the phrase "Let freedom ring" is repeated multiple times. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's desire for freedom to be spread across different locations, highlighting the importance of liberty and equality for all.

MLK's decision to give his speech in the shadow of the man's statue is most significant because the man was president during the Civil War and helped the U.S. take the first step towards true freedom for all. This suggests that MLK wanted to honor the progress made towards equality and freedom during that time, and to emphasize the importance of continuing to fight for equal rights for all individuals. By giving his speech in the shadow of this statue, MLK symbolically connected his own fight for civil rights to the historical struggle for freedom and equality in the United States.

The statement "sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression" is an example of a metaphor. The speaker is comparing the intense heat of the state of Mississippi to the presence of injustice and oppression, using the metaphor to convey the suffocating and oppressive nature of these conditions.

MLK's statement about the people enduring "tribulation" suggests that they are experiencing significant affliction, distress, or trials. This implies that they are going through a period of great hardship or suffering. The word "tribulation" carries a negative connotation, indicating that the people are facing challenges and difficulties that are causing them significant pain or distress.

The Emancipation Proclamation was a proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. It declared that all enslaved black men and women in Confederate territory were to be set free. This proclamation was a significant step towards ending slavery in the United States, although it did not immediately free all slaves, as it only applied to Confederate-held areas. Nonetheless, it played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Civil War and ultimately led to the passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the entire country.

The statement "we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" is an example of a simile because it compares justice and righteousness to the movement and power of water in a stream.

The correct answer is "treatment of others either against or in favor of-- based upon the group or class that that person falls into." This means that discrimination involves treating people differently, either negatively or positively, based on the group or class they belong to. It does not necessarily imply that it is against the law or that it always involves treating others in a negative way; it can also involve favoring certain groups.

The phrase "Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers" is an example of alliteration because it uses the repetition of the "p" sound at the beginning of multiple words in close proximity. Alliteration is a type of figurative language that adds emphasis and musicality to a sentence by repeating the same consonant sound.

The correct answer is hyperbole because the statement "The dog was as big as a house!!" is an extreme exaggeration. It is not meant to be taken literally, as it is highly unlikely for a dog to be as big as a house. This use of hyperbole emphasizes the immense size of the dog and adds emphasis to the description.

Exalted means being elevated by praise or glorified. This implies that someone or something is highly regarded and held in high esteem by others. It suggests that they are praised and recognized for their exceptional qualities, achievements, or status. Being exalted indicates a position of honor and admiration, highlighting the elevated status and positive reputation of the individual or object in question.

The statement "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring" is an example of allusion because it references the patriotic song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and the concept of freedom, which are well-known cultural references.

Juxtaposition refers to the act of placing two contrasting elements side by side in order to highlight their differences. In this case, the picture of starving children juxtaposed with the picture of the lady Christmas shopping creates a stark contrast between the two situations. It emphasizes the stark disparity between the affluence and abundance of one person's life and the poverty and deprivation experienced by others. This example effectively uses juxtaposition to draw attention to the stark social and economic inequalities that exist in society.

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another word or phrase that it is closely associated with. In this case, "New York City" is being used as a substitute for "The Big Apple," which is a nickname for the city. This is an example of metonymy because one term is being used to represent another term that is related to it.

The word "prodigious" is used to describe something that is exceptional, substantial, or great. It implies that the thing being described is out of the ordinary, surpassing what is usual or expected.

The correct answer is metaphor because the statement compares the "jangling discords of our nation" to a "beautiful symphony of brotherhood" without using the words "like" or "as." This comparison helps to create a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind, emphasizing the idea of unity and harmony replacing division and conflict.

The correct answer is "Allusion" because the statement is referencing the character Pinocchio, who is known for his nose growing longer whenever he tells a lie. This is a direct reference to a well-known story or character, which is the definition of an allusion.

The given statement, "Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood," is an example of juxtaposition. Juxtaposition is the placement of two contrasting ideas or images side by side to create a dramatic effect. In this statement, the contrasting ideas of "quick sands of racial injustice" and "solid rock of brotherhood" are juxtaposed to emphasize the need for change and unity.

The given phrase, "Ellie the elephant eats Easter Eggs," is an example of assonance. Assonance refers to the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. In this case, the "e" sound is repeated in the words "Ellie," "elephant," and "Easter Eggs." This repetition of the same vowel sound creates a musical quality and adds emphasis to the words.

The word "desolate" refers to a state of being joyless or sorrowful. It implies a feeling of emptiness, sadness, and loneliness. This word is often used to describe a place or a person who is experiencing extreme sadness or a lack of happiness.