Famous African Americans - Martin Luther King,

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1 ReadWorks" Famous African Americans - Martin Luther King, Jr. Famous African Americans - Martin Luther King, Jr. by ReadWorks Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most important figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. There is a national holiday in his honor that is celebrated every January. His famous "I Have a Dream" speech is still talked about today. He is the hero of civil rights in America. King was a Baptist minister. He had an incredible ability to speak and be heard. He was expressive and powerful with his words. He gained the support of thousands of blacks and whites. He became famous throughout the world. In 1964, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for his civil rights work. Ironically, his work for peace resulted in violent reactions. On several occasions, people threw rocks at King. Some even went so far as to bomb his family's house in Montgomery, Alabama. But the worst act of violence ended King's life. He was shot and killed at the age of 39. ReadWorks.org 2012 ReadWorks, Inc. All rights reserved.

2 ReadWorks Famous African Americans - Martin Luther King, Jr. - Comprehension Questions Name: Date: 1. Martin Luther King, Jr., is famous because of his A. work in civil rights. B. being from Montgomery. C. speaking voice. D. father, Martin Luther King, Sr. 2. Which of these answers is NOT an effect of King's work in civil rights? A. King has a national holiday in his honor. B. King became a Baptist minister. C. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in D. King was attacked by people who disagreed with him. 3. Based on the passage, it is most likely that A. King believed that violence was the answer to civil rights. B. everyone loved Martin Luther King, Jr. C. many people would gather to listen to King speak. D. not very many people have heard King's speeches. 4. Read the sentences: "He had an incredible ability to speak and be heard. He was expressive and powerful with his words." In this passage, the word expressive means A. shy and quiet B. communicating feelings C. calmly listening D. causing sadness ReadWorks.org 2017 ReadWorks, Inc. All rights reserved.

3 ReadWorks" Famous African Americans - Martin Luther King, Jr. - Comprehension Questions 5. The main idea of this passage is that A. many people disliked Martin Luther King, Jr. B. Martin Luther King, Jr. was important in civil rights. C. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot at the age of 39. D. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist minister. 6. When did Martin Luther King, Jr. win the Nobel Peace Prize? 7. Why was Martin Luther King, Jr. shot and killed? 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. There were violent reactions to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work, he talked about peace. A. so B. even though C. before D. because 9. Vocabulary Word: support: to agree with, or help someone succeed. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ReadWorks.org 2017 ReadWorks, Inc. All rights reserved.

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5 Rea Works8 In Memory of Dr. King In Memory of Dr. King The King memorial takes shape on the National Mall. A piece of the nation's capital will honor an important leader-dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A memorial for King is being built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It will be the first memorial on the Mall to honor an African American. A ceremony was held on November 13, [2006] to mark the start of construction. President George W. Bush and other leaders were among the thousands of people who gathered for the event. "When the work is done, the King memorial will be a fitting tribute-powerful and hopeful and poetic-like the man it honors," Bush said at the ceremony. If all goes as planned, the memorial will be finished in It will have trees, flowing water, and a 30-foot statue of King. Quotes from King's speeches will be carved into a stone wall. A Great Leader Washington, D.C. White Hotfi* King ( ) grew up in the U.S. South. At that time, the South was segregated, or separated by race. Under the law, black people were not allowed to attend the same schools as white people. They were forced to sit in the backseats of buses. They also had to use separate restrooms and drinking fountains. ftwopsc Martin Lutter KiiiQ Jr. manjorfai Ttd 1 Baker Vail King worked to change the laws by giving speeches and leading peaceful marches. Thanks to King and other leaders, civil rights laws were passed. Those laws make sure that all Americans are treated equally. I Have a Dream On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech in Washington, D.C. A crowd of more than 200,000 people came to hear him. In his speech, King said, "l have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." ReadWorks.org 2017 ReadWorks, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright 2007 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation.

6 ReadWorks* In Memory of Dr. King - Inferencing/Drawin Conclusions Questions Name: 1. A statue of Dr. King has been placed on Date: the National Mall because A. Dr. King deserves to be nationally recognized. B. looking at the statue will remind people about equal rights. C. children will learn about Dr. King by visiting the memorial. D. all of the above. 2 African Americans were forced to drink from different water fountains than white people. A. During segregation B. After segregation C. Both during and after segregation D. Neither during nor after segregation 3. How did the civil rights laws make sure that people were treated equally? A. The laws said that Afrcan American women can now run for office. B. The laws said that African Americans are now able to vote. C. The laws said no discrimnating against someone based on race. D. The laws said thateveryone had to like each other. 4. The author included the map A. to show the reader how to get to Washington, D.C. B. to show the architects where to place the statue. C. to show the reader where the statue is located. D. to show the president where to go to give his speech. 5. In your own words, explain what King meant in his speech when he said, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. ReadWorks.org 2017 ReadWorks, Inc. All rights reserved.