High School

Read the excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

"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."

What is the author’s purpose for including these sentences?

A. to describe the productivity of his daily routine
B. to emphasize the significance of his critics’ letter
C. to establish the impressive credentials of his staff
D. to explain the nature of his profession

Answer :

Dr. King's purpose for including these sentences is B. to emphasize the significance of his critics’ letter. He acknowledges their goodwill and sincere intentions, which compels him to respond thoughtfully and patiently.

The author’s purpose for including these sentences in Dr. Martin Luther King's “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is to emphasize the significance of his critics’ letter. Dr. King acknowledges that he does not usually respond to criticism due to the sheer volume of comments he receives.

However, he notes that he feels compelled to reply in this instance because he recognizes the genuine goodwill of his critics and their sincere intentions, indicating that their concerns warrant a thoughtful and patient response. This demonstrates the importance he places on their letter.

What is the author’s purpose for including these sentences?

A. to describe the productivity of his daily routine

B. to emphasize the significance of his critics’ letter

C. to establish the impressive credentials of his staff

D. to explain the nature of his profession