Unit Test — Unit test Answers

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Read the following excerpt taken from the US Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).The case coming on for a hearing before the Supreme Court, that court was of opinion that the law under which the prosecution had was constitutional, and denied the relief prayed for by the petitioner. Ex parte Plessy, 45 La.Ann. 80. Whereupon petitioner prayed for a writ of error from this court, which was allowed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana.MR. JUSTICE BROWN, after stating the case, delivered the opinion of the court.This case turns upon the constitutionality of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, passed in 1890, providing for separate railway carriages for the white and colored races. Acts 1890, No. 111, p. 152.The first section of the statute enacts"that all railway companies carrying passengers in their coaches in this State shall provide equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races by providing two or more passenger coaches for each passenger train, or by dividing the passenger coaches by a partition so as to secure separate accommodations: Provided, That this section shall not be construed to apply to street railroads. No person or persons, shall be admitted to occupy seats in coaches other than the ones assigned to them on account of the race they belong to." The Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson was problematic because

A
the court was not able to overturn the Louisiana state law that required passengers be separated by race.
B
the court did not have any Black justices among its members.
C
it was unclear if Plessy (who was of mixed race) broke the law by sitting in the whites-only coach.
D
it was based on the belief that segregation was permissible as long as the facilities were equal.
2
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Read the excerpt from the US Supreme court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).The statute of Louisiana, acts of 1890, c. 111, requiring railway companies carrying passengers in their coaches in that State, to provide equal, but separate, accommodations for the white and colored races, by providing two or more passenger coaches for each passenger train, or by dividing the passenger coaches by a partition so as to secure separate accommodations; and providing that no person shall be permitted to occupy seats in coaches other than the ones assigned to them, on account of the race they belong to; and requiring the officer of the passenger train to assign each passenger to the coach or compartment assigned for the race to which he or she belong; and imposing fines or imprisonment upon passengers insisting on going into a coach or compartment other than the one set aide for the race to which he or she belongs; and conferring upon officers of the train power to refuse to carry on the train passengers refusing to occupy the coach or compartment assigned to them, and exempting the railway company from liability for such refusal, are not in conflict with the provisions either of the Thirteenth Amendment or of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Which best explains why the Supreme Court’s decision in Plessy v. Ferguson was unconstitutional?

A
The Supreme Court’s ruling allowed states to deny equal protection to any person within its jurisdiction.
B
Since the 14th Amendment did not make concessions for people born outside the US, the Supreme Court’s decision could not be applied.
C
The Supreme Court’s decision gave individual states the freedom to make their own laws in relation to the treatment of people of color.
D
Since segregation laws did not provide equal protections or liberties to people of color, the ruling was not consistent with the 14th Amendment.
4

It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.

b
by providing the names of corrupt public figures
b
by explaining Birmingham’s segregationists laws
b
by quoting the racist sentiments of city leaders
b
by describing Birmingham’s record of injustice
7

Read the sentence from Notes of a Native Son.Hatred, which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the man who hated and this was an immutable law.Which best explains why Baldwin uses the word “immutable”?

A
to de-emphasize the serious nature of the law he describes
B
to emphasize the inescapable nature of the law he describes
C
to contrast the law he describes with other laws of human nature
D
to compare the law he describes with laws based on morality
8

Read the excerpt from “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”In our own nation, the Boston Tea Party represented a massive act of civil disobedience.Why does King use this allusion?

A
to establish historical precedent for his actions
B
to commemorate a beloved US leader
C
to appeal to his critics’ sense of moral justice
D
to forge a connection with modern political figures
9

Read the excerpt from Jackie Robinson’s letter to President Eisenhower.As the chief executive of our nation, I respectfully suggest that you unwittingly crush the spirit of freedom in Negroes by constantly urging forbearance and give hope to those pro-segregation leaders like Governor Faubus who would take from us even those freedoms we now enjoy. Your own experience with Governor Faubus is proof enough that forbearance and not eventual integration is the goal the pro-segregation leaders seek. Which best explains the purpose of Robinson’s letter?

A
to appeal to President Eisenhower for the termination of Governor Faubus from public office
B
to bring the problem of inequality among African American communities to President Eisenhower’s attention
C
to request immediate action from President Eisenhower in furthering equal rights for African Americans
D
to ask President Eisenhower about the eventual removal of all Jim Crow laws
10

Read the excerpt from Jackie Robinson’s letter to President Eisenhower.When you said we must have self-respect, I wondered how we could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded to us through the years.This excerpt contains an historical allusion to

A
civil rights activists that advocated for equal rights in the United States throughout the 20th century.
B
the discrimination and bigotry faced by Black people throughout history in the United States.
C
Robinson’s belief that an end to segregation is impossible to achieve in the United States.
D
Robinson’s belief that President Eisenhower is responsible for ending segregation in the United States.
11

How does the mention of Governor Faubus in Jackie Robinson’s letter to President Eisenhower strengthen the main argument of the letter?

A
The reference highlights President Eisenhower’s deep dislike of the governor and shows his willingness to remove him from office.
B
Robinson notes that Governor Faubus spoke during the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders and became a symbol of civil rights.
C
Robinson uses Governor Faubus as a metaphor for racial segregation and therefore provides a strong visual image.
D
The reference provides a real-life example of a pro-segregationist and his actions, making the need for civil rights more dire.
12

Read the following excerpt from Jackie Robinson’s letter to President Eisenhower.As the chief executive of our nation, I respectfully suggest that you unwittingly crush the spirit of freedom in Negroes by constantly urging forbearance and give hope to those pro-segregation leaders like Governor Faubus who would take from us even those freedoms we now enjoy. Your own experience with Governor Faubus is proof enough that forbearance and not eventual integration is the goal the pro-segregation leaders seek. To which specific historic event is Jackie Robinson referring to in the letter?

A
President Eisenhower’s argument over civil rights with Arkansas Governor Faubus at the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders the day before this letter was written
B
the riots of Harlem, which broke out in response to African Americans’ frustration at job discrimination, police brutality, poor treatment by the armed forces, and lack of access to economic opportunities
C
Governor Faubus’s calling of the Arkansas National Guard to prevent nine African American students from entering Little Rock Central High School, despite the US Supreme Court’s ruling against segregation
D
the rumored fatal shooting in August 1943 of a white soldier, which culminated in race rioting across the nation
13

What is Jackie Robinson’s proposed solution in his letter to President Eisenhower?

A
patience and self-respect
B
forgiveness of segregationists
C
a statement backed by action
D
a change to the Constitution
14

Which issue is Jackie Robinson addressing in his letter to President Eisenhower?

A
Governor Faubus’s prevention of nine Black youths from entering an integrated high school
B
the actions of pro-segregation leaders such as Governor Faubus of Arkansas
C
President Eisenhower’s sluggish response to the civil rights movement
D
the significant events of the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders from the previous day
15

Which best identifies Jackie Robinson’s reason for writing his letter to President Eisenhower?

A
He hopes that the president will take immediate action to curb segregation laws at the federal level.
B
He believes that the president should punish Governor Faubus for his inexcusable actions.
C
He feels that the president has too much sympathy for pro-segregationists like Governor Faubus.
D
He thinks that the president should be commended for his remarks at the Summit Meeting of Negro Leaders.
16

Read the excerpt from Jackie Robinson’s letter to President Eisenhower.I respectfully remind you sir, that we have been the most patient of all people. When you said we must have self-respect, I wondered how we could have self-respect and remain patient considering the treatment accorded to us through the years.Which best explains why Robinson includes this description of Black people?

A
to warn the president that Black people are tired of waiting and will soon take action
B
to point out that Black people have greatly suffered for far too long
C
to assure the president that Black people would continue to wait patiently
D
to show that he respects the president and all he has done to help Black people
17

Which statement most accurately describes Zora Neale Hurston’s writing in “John Redding Goes to the Sea”?

A
Hurston uses wit and informal language to reveal her own feelings of growing up in a small rural town.
B
Hurston’s descriptive setting captures the essence of her hometown and many other Black communities.
C
Hurston portrays characters who are disappointed with the small-town way of life and dream of exploring the world.
D
Hurston’s word choice and use of regional expressions create a vivid image of Black life in the South.
18

Which statement from “John Redding Goes to Sea” best supports the idea that the author, Zora Neale Hurston, was an independent woman who longed to escape her small hometown?

A
"Pa, when ah gets as big as you Ah'm goin' farther than them ships. Ah'm goin' to where the sky touches the ground."
B
"Well, son, when Ah wuz a boy Ah said Ah wuz goin' too, but heah Ah am. Ah hopes you have bettah luck than me."
C
"Well, well, doan cry. Ah thought youse uh grown up man. Men doan cry lak babies. You mustn't take it too hard 'bout yo' ships. You gotta git uster things gittin' tied up . . .”
D
Alfred Redding's brown face grew wistful for a moment, and the child noticing it, asked quickly: "Do weeds tangle up folks too, pa?"
19

Which excerpt from Zora Neale Hurston’s “John Redding Goes to Sea” describes the awkward relationship John has with the others in the village?

A
Perhaps ten-year-old John was puzzling to the simple folk there in the Florida woods for he was an imaginative child and fond of day-dreams.
B
Often he was a knight bestride a fiery charger prancing down the white shell road that led to distant lands.
C
One day his father came upon him scolding the weeds for stopping his sea-going vessels.
D
"Alf, you ain't gone crazy, is you? John kain't help wantin' tuh stray off, cause he's got a spell. on 'im; but you oughter be shamed to be encouragin' him . . ."
20

Which phenomenon is Langston Hughes exploring in his poems "I Dream a World" and "Democracy"?

A
the development of music and art as a result of racism
B
the legacy of slavery and its impact on the spiritual beliefs of Black Americans
C
the emergence of the Harlem Renaissance and its influence on the rest of the country
D
the effects of the cultural, moral, and legal boundaries set upon Black Americans

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