Directions: For this listening exercise, you will need to log on to the Media Resources Center website hosted by the University of California, Berkeley.

Once you have logged on, find “Martin Luther King, Jr. — ‘I Have a Dream.’” Click on the link, “Listen to it with Real Audio” and hear the speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listen to the entire 16-minute speech delivered in Washington, D.C., in August of 1963. Listen carefully to his vocal tones, his inflections, and his passion. Listen for how he says certain words and phrases. Listen for details in the content of his message.

Do not read any further in this exercise until you have listened to his famous speech.

Activity: Listening with Questions

After you have listened to his speech, return here to answer a few questions.

After having listened to his speech, answer the following questions without going back to relisten. You can check your answers by listening to the speech a second time.

1. He says that America has written a bad check marked

2. He says that 1963 is not an end, but a

3. He says that the Negro must meet physical force with

4. He dreams of this nation living up to the true meaning of its creed: “We hold”

5. He dreams that this nation will judge his children by

6. Name one place from where he wishes freedom to ring.

7. “Free at last, free at last …” are words taken from an old

Check your answers by listening to the speech again, this time with these questions in front of you.

Was it hard to remember the details of the speech? No Why?

Was it easy to tune out all distractions and listen with your ears, heart, and undivided attention? No Why?

What was the hardest part about listening to this speech? Why?

What would have made this speech easier to listen to?

When you answered the previous questions correctly, how did this make you feel?