Name

Grade 9
ANSWER KEY
I Have a Dream – Dr. Martin Luther King
Summary
In this speech, perhaps the most famous in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lays out his vision
of a renewed America. He emphasizes the failure of the government to establish equal rights, and the
persistence of discrimination that attacks both people’s bodies and their dignity. After an unflinching look at
the suffering of the past and the present, King turns to the future. He describes his dream that, one day,
justice and equality will prevail even in the most challenging places; that regardless of race people will treat
each other fairly, work together, and establish freedom across the land.

Insight
This speech was one of the most important moments of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement; you should be
familiar with it. In addition to its historical importance, the unreached vision it calls for is still very resonant
today.

Connection to essential question

When Americans think of words that have inspired generation after generation, Martin Luther King’s “I
Have a Dream” speech is probably one of the most often cited texts.

Vocabulary
1. prosperity: n. good fortune; success
2. hallowed: adj. holy; sacred
3. tribulations: n. great trouble or misery
4. redemptive: adj. serving to deliver from sorrow; make amends or pay back oppression
5. oppression: n. cruel or unjust treatment
6. exalted: adj. elevated

Comprehension Check p.265

Complete the following items after you finish your first read.
1. About how much time has passed between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and Dr. King’s
speech?
Almost 100 years have passed between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and Dr. King’s
speech.

2. When his audience returns home after his speech, what does Dr. King want them to know about the
situation African Americans face?
King wants his audience to return home knowing that the situation can and will be changed.

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3. What dream does Dr. King have for his four children?
King dreams that his children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by their skin color
but by the content of their character.
4. Notebook Write a summary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
King’s key message was that African Americans were not still treated equally as many faced poverty,
discrimination, and lack of opportunities. Dr. King urged his audience that “now” was the time for America
to heal the injustices that African-Americans still faced. He says that African-Americans had been waiting
too long, almost 100 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. He urged Americans to
recognize that individual freedoms were tied to everyone’s freedoms. He discouraged the breeding of hatred
and the use of violence to achieve outcomes. In the end, King shared his dream of a future in America
where racial harmony and integration is the standard.

Analyze the Text p.266

1. Interpret What does King mean when he refers to the African American as an “exile in his own land”?
An “exile”is a person who has been barred from his/her native country. King uses “exile” to show how
African Americans exist in a state of punitive exclusion. (Paragraph 3)

2. Summarize Explain the comparison King makes between the African American struggle for equality and
the cashing of a check.
In King’s comparison, the check is a debt owed to African Americans. They were promised equality but
America didn’t come through. King’s speech is a demand for America to fulfill its “payment” or promise.
(Paragraph 5)

3. Paraphrase (a) When you paraphrase, you restate a text in your own words. Paraphrase King’s comments
on the urgency of “Now.” (b) Speculate To which group of people might King have been directing that part
of his argument? Explain.
(a) King says that “Now” is the only time to act. He says it is not the time to let ideas cool off or get sleepy
with the idea of “some day.” (Paragraph 6) DOK 2 (b) King is likely directing this part of his argument to
white leaders or other potential supporters who have refrained from engaging in the movement, possibly in
hopes that the issue might resolve itself.

4. Evaluate What idea is King trying to convey when he says that “unearned suffering is redemptive”?
King is saying that people who have suffered unjustly will eventually be rewarded.

Analyze Craft and Structure P.267

Argument In a persuasive speech, the speaker tries to convince listeners to think or act in a certain way.
Strong persuasive speakers present information and supporting evidence clearly and logically so listeners
can follow the reasoning. Persuasive speakers may charged language—language that appeals to emotions. In
addition, they often use rhetorical devices— patterns of words and ideas that create emphasis and emotion.
These devices include the following forms:
• Parallelism: repeating a grammatical structure or an arrangement of words to create rhythm and
momentum
• Repetition: using the same words frequently to reinforce concepts and unify the speech
• Analogy: drawing a comparison that shows a similarity between two unlike things

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Practice
1. In this speech, what is King attempting to persuade his listeners to think or do? Explain.
In the speech, Dr. King is attempting to persuade listeners to help fight for the rights of African Americans
in the United States so they can experience the liberties outlined in the Constitution.

2. Use the chart to record at least one example of each type of rhetorical device used in this speech. Explain
why each choice is a good example of that device.
RHETORICAL EXAMPLE EXPLANATION
DEVICES
Charged language lonely island of poverty (Paragraph 3) a. This phrase strongly describes the
state of isolation brought on by poverty.
Parallelism But one hundred years later, … a vast b. Shows that since the Emancipation
ocean of material prosperity. (Paragraph Proclamation, African Americans have
3) made little progress toward freedom.
Repetition I have a dream… Paragraphs 17–24 Shows a glimpse of what King hopes the
nation will achieve.
Analogy American civil rights are compared to a The freedoms accorded African
bad check. Paragraph 5 Americans are not worth the paper they
are printed on.

3. For each example from your chart, state whether the rhetorical device serves to clarify an idea, stir
listeners’ emotions, or both. For each determination, explain your reasoning.
Charged language: These examples stir listener’s emotions. These phrases are powerful and persuasive
ways of describing the effect of poverty and hatred. Parallelism: King uses this example to stir listener’s
emotions and to clarify an idea.
Repetition: This example stirs listener’s emotions. Its repetition heightens its impact.
Analogy: This analogy is used to clarify an idea.

4. This speech has become an iconic part of American history. Do you think it deserves this standing?
Support your answer with text evidence and your analysis of King’s use of rhetoric. YOUR RESPONSE

Concept Vocabulary p.268 (Possible Responses)

Why These Words? The six concept vocabulary words are all related to overcoming a challenge. For
example, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks of overcoming the tribulations that African Americans face.
1. How does the concept vocabulary help express both the difficulties and the possible rewards of the
struggle for equality?
1. Tribulations (paragraph 14), oppression (paragraph 19) express how African Americans suffered. King
says that suffering will be redemptive (paragraph 14), or rewarded. Hallowed (paragraph 6) indicates the
sacred nature of the U.S. capitol, where King stood and recalled the nation’s promise of equality. African
Americans had not shared in the nation’s prosperity. King says they will be exalted (paragraph 24), or rise
from their suffering.

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2. What other words in the selection connect to this concept?
. Other words that relate to the concept vocabulary: persecution (paragraph 14), injustice (paragraph 2),
crippled (paragraph 3), discrimination (paragraph 3), sacred (paragraph 4), lift (paragraph 6), justice
(paragraph 5)

Practice
1. Use each concept vocabulary word in a sentence that demonstrates its meaning.
The rise in the sale of new products brought an era of prosperity to the nation. The redemptive power of
music was evident in people’s faces. They understood the importance of standing on such hallowed ground.
We must end oppression for all people to live freely. The explorers turned back after the tribulations caused
by the storm. We were honored to be in such exalted company.

2. Rewrite each of your sentences, replacing the concept vocabulary word with a synonym. How do your
replacements change the meaning of each sentence?
The rise in the sale of new products brought an era of economic success to the nation. The rewarding power
of music was evident in people’s faces. They understood the importance of standing on such revered ground.
We must end injustice for all people to live freely. The explorers turned back after the problems caused by
the storm. We were honored to be in such illustrious company.

Word Study
Patterns of Word Changes When added to a base word, the suffix -tion changes a verb to a noun. In some
words, that change requires other adjustments to spelling. For example, in the word describe, the letters be
are deleted and replaced with a p plus -tion to get description.
1. Form nouns by adding the suffix -tion to each of the following verbs. Make any adjustments to spelling
that might be required.
a. assume: assumption
b. receive: reception
c. prescribe: prescription

2. Now that you have changed the verbs into nouns, use them in your own sentences.
For once, his assumption was correct. The band received a warm reception. The doctor refilled Dad’s
prescription.