The Crucible - Act 1

Directions: Questions 1-7. Read the passage from Act 1, which begins with the opening stage directions on p.8 and ends at the end of the description of Thomas Putnam on p. 15.

1. In the opening stage directions, the "slave sense" Tituba has most likely refers to her

• supernatural ability to see the future

• instincts as a person in a subordinate position

• irrational fear that she will be unfairly blamed

• keen insight into the secrets of others

• common sense and skepticism about the supernatural

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

2. Susanna's statement that Dr. Griggs has suggested Reverend Parris "look to the unnatural things for the cause of it" shows that

• Dr. Griggs is likely part of the faction which opposes Parris

• Susanna is intent on causing trouble for Betty and Abigail

• even educated people in this society believe in witchcraft

• Dr. Griggs is seeking an excuse for his lack of medical knowledge

• Dr. Griggs has never encountered an unexplained loss of consciousness

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

3. As it is used in Parris's statement "I cannot blink what I saw," the word "blink" is best understood to mean

• condone

• ignore

• minimize

• believe

• forgive

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

4. Parris's words to Abigail "now my ministry's at stake . . . your cousin's life" are significant primarily because they

• show the dire nature of the situation

• reveal that Parris fears losing his daughter

• imply that Abigail does not care about his ministry

• emphasize that his concern is primarily for himself

• highlight the centrality of religion to the Puritans

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

6. Abigail's character is developed by means of all of the following EXCEPT

• details about her dismissal

• her words to others

• her words about others

• others' words to her

• stage directions

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

7. From the last paragraph of the note about Thomas Putnam (beginning "So it is not surprising"), the reader can infer that some people of the time period

• regularly forged names on court documents

• were particularly insightful about the supernatural

• accused others of witchcraft for revenge

• bribed their own children to testify

• did not really believe most of the accusations

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

For questions 7-13: Read the passage that begins with the description of Proctor ("Proctor was a farmer.." p 20) and ends just before the entrance of Reverend Hale, p. 32)

In the first paragraph of Proctor’s description, the statement “but there is evidence to suggest” serves primarily to

• show that the playwright is unclear about Proctor’s character

• allow the reader to form an opinion for him/herself

• remind the reader that the events of the play are historical

• emphasize the playwright’s objectivity and fairness

• foreshadow that Proctor will be put on trial

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

In the discussion with Abigail about looking up at Abigail’s window, Proctor’s words “I may have looked up” show that

• he is anxious to appease Abigail

• there is some truth in Abigail’s words

• Proctor is not sure about his own actions

• Proctor is trying to defend himself

• Abigail knows Proctor better than he knows himself

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Giles Corey’s first words, in response to Rebecca’s admonition to “keep the quiet,” show him to be primarily

• defensive

• judgmental

• self-righteous

• beleaguered

• scornful

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

In the second paragraph describing Rebecca Nurse, the last sentence (“As for Rebecca . . . of that time”) presents an example of

• foreshadowing

• hyperbole

• allusion

• symbolism

• anecdote

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5