WorksheetsThe Crucible - Act 1
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rebecca’s first words after the authorial description of her (“I think she’ll wake . . . soon itself come back”) show her to be all of the following EXCEPT
realistic
sensible
insightful
practical
credulous
Which of the following LEAST demonstrates Parris’s insecurity and paranoia?
“I do not fathom it, why am I persecuted here?”
“I have often wondered if the Devil be in it somewhere.”
“Man! Don’t a minister deserve a house to live in?”
“I do not wish to be put out like the cat whenever some majority feels the whim.”
“And you may tell that to your followers!”
Proctor’s two replies to Giles (beginning “Is it the Devil’s fault . . .” and “I never said no such thing . . .”) could best be described as
intolerant and impatient
indulgent and amicable
insensitive and brusque
caustic and reproachful
patronizing and sarcastic
Questions 14 -20 : Read the passage from Act 1 of The Crucible which begins immediately after the long narrative description of Reverend Hale on p.36 and ends at the end of Act 1.
Hale’s response to Parris’s statement that the books are heavy is an example of
irony
sarcasm
wordplay
hyperbole
simile
In Proctor’s last sentence before he exits (“I hope . . . in Salem”), the understood antecedent for “it” is
education
authority
wisdom
sense
knowledge
In Hale’s description of the book he consults (“Here is all . . . shown his face!”), the irony lies in the fact that Hale
knows witchcraft played no part in the deaths of Mrs. Putnam’s children
directs his love of intellectual pursuits toward matters of superstition
is using his authority to undermine Parris’s reputation
believes he has the power to defeat the Devil if he appears
does not really believe in the Devil or in witches and wizards
The first sentence of the narrative description of Giles Corey (“Old Giles . . . the others”) presents an example of
foreshadowing
symbolism
antithesis
anticlimax
comic relief
In Giles’s first speech after the narrative description (“I’m not sayin’ . . . y’see”), the word “admire” could best be restated as
esteem
like
demand
respect
regard
The statements of Parris and Putnam beginning “You will confess” and ending “She must be taken and hanged!” serve primarily to show
the animosity the Puritans had toward slaves
the low status of women in Puritan society
the strong motivation behind confessions of witchcraft
the negative influence on society of those brought from Barbados
the Puritan belief that everything that happened was God’s will
In Tituba’s final speech (“He say Mr. Parris . . . there was Goody Good”), the words she attributes to the devil most likely
were spoken by Abigail or Betty at some point
represent a dream Tituba had
have been suggested to her by Hale
reflect Tituba’s own thoughts and desires
highlight the differences between the beliefs in Salem and Barbados
