Starting with Act I
The Proctors
The Court of Salem
Historical Context
Concept Study
100

As the play begins, why is Reverend Parris praying and weeping?

His daughter, Betty, is ill and unresponsive

100

What is the root cause of tension between Elizabeth and her husband, John?

John's affair

100

During the court proceedings, what do Abigail and the other girls claim to see in the rafters?

A yellow bird

100

The Crucible is an allegory for America's push against what political ideology?

Communism

100

Guilt, confusion, and desire are all examples of this form of conflict...

Internal

200

What were Betty and the other girls doing in the woods?

Dancing and chanting

200

What motivation does Abigail have to get Elizabeth Proctor accused?

She wants to take her place

200

On what basis is Elizabeth temporarily spared from execution?

Her pregnancy

200

As tension rose between the Soviets and Americans, which war was sparked?

The Cold War

200

This book is often alluded to in the story, including characters like Cain, Raphael, and Joshua. 

The Bible

300

What does Abigail threaten to do to Betty and the others if they tell the truth?

Kill them / smash their skulls
300

When questioned by Hale, what commandment does John Proctor forget?

Thou shalt not commit adultery 

300

What does Giles Corey accuse Thomas Putnam of reaching for during the trials?

Land
300

The state of mass hysteria over Communist infiltration and influence was known as the Second... 

Red Scare

300

This form of irony occurs when we know something the characters don't: for example, Elizabeth being unaware that John has confessed to lechery.

Dramatic

400

When cornered, who does Abigail cast the blame onto for the night in the woods?

Tituba

400

What two objects are used as evidence against Elizabeth in court?

The poppet and the needle

400

How many people in the town of Salem signed the deposition to testify in favor of those accused? 

91 - These people were then arrested.

400

Which 1950's senator was in large part responsible for this widespread madness, having claimed to have a list of over 200 Communists?

McCarthy

400

While objective pronouns demonstrate the object of a sentence and possessive show possession, what is the function of a nominative pronoun?

Subject

500

What is the preexisting source of contention between John Proctor and Reverend Parris in Act I?

The content of church sermons
500

Who or what does John Proctor claim to be writing the law of Salem?

Vengeance

500

What claim is made against Rebecca Nurse? (Be more specific than just "witchcraft")

Killing seven newborn children

500

After World War II, which American president executed a "Loyalty Order" search for Commies in the American government?

President Truman - over five million were investigated.

500

Identify each pronoun as possessive, objective, or nominative: "He hit me with your bat!"

He: Third-Person Nominative
Me: First-Person Objective
Your: Second-Person Possessive

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