The First Term First exam

Read the following text very carefully then do the activities below
On January 01st,1863, Abraham Lincoln signed a law that gave freedom to
all the slaves in the United States of America. However, one hundred years later,
we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years
later, the life of the Negroes is still sadly chained by segregation and
discrimination. (§1)

When the creators of our vast republic wrote the magnificent words of the
Constitution and the declaration of the Independence, they were making a promise
to all of their children. This promise was that all men would be guaranteed the
rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is clear today that America has
not kept its promise as far as its citizens of colour are concerned. (§2)

Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning...There will be neither rest

nor peace in America until the Negro is given his rights as a citizen. However, there
is something that I must say to my people... In the process of getting our rights. We
must not be guilty of wrongful acts. We must not allow our protest to fall into
violence. Again and again, we must rise to the challenge of meeting physical force
with soul force. (§3)

In spite of the difficulties of this moment, I still have a dream that one day this
Nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its belief that all men are
created equal. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their
character. I have a dream that one day in the State of Alabama little black boys
and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white
girls and walk together as sisters and brothers... (§4)

With this faith we will be able to stand up for freedom together, knowing that
we will be free one day. This will be the day when all our children will be able to
sing with new meaning,“My country tis of thee1, sweet land of liberty, of thee2 I
sing. Land where my fathers died. Land of the pilgrim’s pride. From every
mountainside, let freedom ring.” (§5)

tis of thee1 = It is about you. of thee1 = about you.

 On January 1st, 1863, the president Abraham Lincoln signed a law that gave freedom to all the
slaves in the United States. However, one hundred years later, we must confront the tragic reality that
African Americans are still not truly free. Even after a century, their lives are still burdened by
segregation and discrimination.
When the creators of our great nation wrote the powerful words of the Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence, they made a promise to all their children which ensured that every person
would have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Sadly, it is evident today that
America has failed to fulfil this promise for its citizens of colour.
Nineteen sixty three was not an end, but a new beginning. America will not find rest or peace until
African Americans are granted their rights as full citizens. However, I must also address my own
people. In our fight for justice, we must not commit any wrongful acts. We must not let our protests
turn to violence. Instead, we must constantly rise to the challenge of countering physical force with
soul force.
Despite the challenges we face, I still hold onto a dream when all our children will be able to sing
with a deeper understanding, "My country, it is a beautiful land of freedom, and I am proud to call it
mine. It is the land where our ancestors sacrificed their lives. From every part of this majestic land, let
the sound of freedom ring."
Martin Luther King“I HAVE A DREAM”
What type of text is this?
Say whether the following statements are true or false :
a) Abraham Lincoln set a law granting freedom to all slaves in the United States .
b) African Americans are currently experiencing true freedom in the United States.
c) America has successfully fulfilled its promise to provide equal rights regardless of their colour.
d) America has successfully fulfilled its promise to provide equal rights to its citizens of colour.
Answer the following difficult questions based on the text:
a) How has segregation and discrimination affected the lives of African Americans in the United
States?
b) What did the author mean by "Nineteen sixty three was not an end, but a new beginning"?
c) In what ways does the author suggest countering physical force with soul force?
d) What is the author's dream regarding the future of all children in the United States?
Identify three words in the text that refer to the African American community.
Provide five synonyms for the word "freedom" and five opposites (antonyms) for the word "majestic.