WorksheetsCrucible Act 1 Quiz
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 6mins
Read the following excerpt from Act One, paragraphs 204–206 of the play.
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Proctor (shaking her). Do you look for whippin’?
(A psalm is heard being sung below.)
Abigail (in tears). I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart! I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men! And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! (He turns abruptly to go out. She rushes to him.) John, pity me, pity me!
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The dialogue is used to highlight —
The positive relationship shown between Proctor and his wife
That Proctor is desperate and hopeless over his situation in the village
The ongoing tension among the main characters and the villagers
That the characters are highly emotional and upset due to their situation
Which statement BEST describes the character of the Reverend Samuel Parris?
He is confident in his ability as a minister and believes that others are as well
He expects far more from those around him than he plans to deliver himself.
He is arrogant and considers himself to be superior in status to those around him.
He has a guilty conscience and blames himself for the problems faced by his family.
Which sentence below best supports the idea that Reverend Parris is arrogant?
At the time of these events Parris was in his middle forties.
In history he cut a villainous path, and there is very little good to be said for him.
He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side.
In meeting, he felt insulted if someone rose to shut the door without first asking his permission.
In Act One, Proctor tells Abigail that she’ll be clapped in the stocks before you’re twenty. Based on the context, what is the meaning of this idiom?
Abigail will be applauded for good behavior.
Abigail will be punished for bad behavior.
Abigail will be bullied for lazy behavior.
Abigail will be rewarded for pious behavior.
The play opens with Reverend Parris praying by his afflicted daughter’s bedside. We are left to infer, from the dialogue that follows between Parris and his niece, the details of the events preceding this moment. What do we come to learn has caused Betty’s affliction?
She has been bewitched
She is desperately frightened because her father has seen her meddling with witchcraft
Abigail has poisoned her with a brew made in the forest
She feels terribly guilty because she has had an affair with a married man
The dialogue between Parris and Abigail also reveals some important characteristics of the Reverend:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parris: If you trafficked with spirits in the forest, I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. Abigail: But we never conjured spirits. Parris: Then why can she not move herself since midnight? This child is desperate! (Abigail lowers her eyes). It must come out - my enemies will bring it out. Let me know what you done there. Abigail, do you understand that I have many enemies? Abigail: I have heard of it, uncle. Parris: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit. Do you understand that? Abigail: I think so, sir. Parris: Now then, in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice. Abominations are done in the forest – Abigail: It were sport, uncle! Parris: (pointing at Betty) You call this sport? . . .I cannot blink what I saw, Abigail, for my enemies will not blink it.
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From the above dialogue, we can infer that the Reverend’s primary motive for wanting to know what happened in the forest is. . .
His fatherly love for his daughter
His jealousy over Betty's fondness for Abigail
His concern for his own reputation
His desire for gossip, to know more about the townspeople
The Putnams then enter the bedroom. Miller describes Mrs. Putnam as “a twisted soul of forty-five, a death-ridden woman, haunted by dreams.” What has happened in her life to twist her soul and haunt her dreams?
She has lost seven seemingly healthy babies to an inexplicable death
She desperately hate Goody Good, her rival in the village
She and her husband have been sued again and again by the villagers
She is ridden with jealousy over Rebecca Nurse's fame as a saintly woman
Once John and Abigail are left (mostly) alone in the room, we see some details of their relationship unmasked. These details are revealed both through their dialogue and the stage directions. Read over the following stage directions.
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Proctor (looking at Abigail now, the faintest suggestion of a knowing smile on his face).
Proctor (his smile widening)
Abigail (her concentrated desire destroys his smile)
Proctor (setting her firmly out of his way)
Abigail (grasping his hand before he can release her)
Abigail (clutching him desperately)
Proctor (gently pressing her from him, with great sympathy but firmly)
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What do these reveal about the present feelings of both Abigail and John?
Abby is angry and resentful at John for breaking off their affair; John is trying to be understanding and kind though he no longer desires her
Abby is in love with John but is determined not to hurt him; John is playing with her feelings because she is young and vulnerable
Abby still hopes to seduce John despite her earlier failure to do so; John is steadfastly resisting the temptation and is disgusted by her efforts
Abby still longs for John and wants to rekindle their affair; John, though fond of her and tempted by her, is determined to maintain his distance.
It is revealed that John Proctor has not been to church in some time. What does he offer as an explanation for his absence?
He has been working outside the country in another town
His child has been ill
He can't bear to sit in the congregation with "soiled" or sinful people
He doesn't like the negative preaching of Reverend Parris
How would you characterize John Proctor's relationship with Thomas Putnam?
Proctor is jealous of Putnam's money and influence
Putnam is jealous of Proctor's youth and attractiveness
Proctor sees Putnam as greedy and arrogant
Putnam sees Proctor as lazy and stupid
