The Crucible
Name the historical event that inspired the plot of The Crucible and briefly explain how it relates to the play.
The Salem witch trials of 1692; Miller uses them allegorically to comment on McCarthyism and to explore mass hysteria and scapegoating.
Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby, and why is his perspective important to the story?
Nick Carraway; his reflective, often judgmental narration provides distance and reliability questions; he frames Gatsby in context.
What are the three main parts of a standard academic paragraph (topic sentence, evidence, analysis)? Briefly define each.
Topic sentence: main idea; Evidence: quoted/paraphrased support; Analysis: explains significance and ties evidence to thesis.
Identify the subject and the main verb in this sentence: “The committee on student activities meets every Thursday.”
“The committee on student activities”; main verb: “meets.”
What are the three main sections you should include on a one-page resume for a high school senior applying for a part-time job?
Contact info, Education (or Relevant Coursework), Experience/Skills (including volunteer/work).
Who accuses Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft, and what motivates that character to make the accusation?
Abigail Williams; motivated by jealousy, desire to be with John Proctor, and to protect herself from punishment.
What does the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolize? Provide two different interpretations.
Green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hope/Desire for Daisy and the broader American Dream; alternate: unattainable future or materialism.
What is a thesis statement? Provide an example thesis for an essay comparing The Crucible and The Great Gatsby on the theme of illusion versus reality.
Thesis: central claim that guides essay. Example: “Although The Crucible and The Great Gatsby differ in setting and style, both works reveal how individuals create illusions to escape unsatisfying realities.”
Correct the run-on sentence or explain how to fix it: “She finished her research paper she forgot to save the file.”
"She finished her research paper, but she forgot to save the file.” Or split into two sentences.
List two differences between a cover letter and an email application message. What purpose does each serve?
Cover letter is formal, tailored, explains fit and interest; email message is shorter, may include attachments and a brief pitch.
Explain the significance of John Proctor’s decision at the end of the play. How does it reflect the play’s themes?
John Proctor chooses to preserve his integrity rather than falsely confess; his death is an act of moral courage that underlines themes of truth, reputation, and conscience.
Describe the differences between East Egg and West Egg and explain how Fitzgerald uses them to comment on class.
East Egg = old money/aristocracy; West Egg = new money/aspiration; Fitzgerald uses settings to critique social stratification and hypocrisy.
List three strategies for integrating textual evidence smoothly into an analytical paragraph. Give a short example of one.
Strategies: signal phrase, embedding quotes, explaining context; Example: According to Miller, “…” (signal + quote) then analysis.
Explain what is happening in the sentence due to the misplace modifier. Then rewrite this sentence to correct the issue:
“Running quickly, the bus stop was reached by Maria.”
Original implies the bus stop was running; corrected:
“Running quickly, Maria reached the bus stop.”
Provide three tips for tailoring a resume for a specific job posting. Give a short example of how to adapt one bullet point.
Mirror keywords, prioritize relevant experience, quantify results. Example: change “Helped customers” to “Assisted 20+ customers per shift, improving checkout efficiency.”
Examples: court accusations spreading without evidence; girls’ theatrical accusations; analysis should reference how fear overrides reason and institutions enable abuse.
Identify two examples of hysteria or mass panic in the play and analyze how Miller uses them to criticize society.
Analyze Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream. How does Fitzgerald portray its promises and limits?
Gatsby’s dream is tied to romantic ideal and wealth; Fitzgerald shows the dream’s hollowness, corruption, and impossibility.
When writing a persuasive essay, what strategy do we use to make sure that the reader know the opposing argument is incorrect?
Counter Argument + Rebuttal
Explain when to use a semicolon versus a comma with a coordinating conjunction. Provide one example of each used correctly.
Semicolon links independent clauses without conjunction: “I studied for the exam; I felt more confident.”
Comma + conjunction: “I studied for the exam, so I felt more confident.”
Read this application prompt excerpt:
“Describe a challenge you faced and how you responded.”
Craft one concise bullet or sentence that could be used in a resume or cover letter to answer that prompt (focus on skill/result).
EX:
“Faced a scheduling conflict on a volunteer project; I coordinated teammates, adjusted roles, and we completed the project on time, increasing attendance by 15%.”
Discuss the role of reputation in The Crucible. Choose two characters whose actions are shaped by concern for reputation and compare their choices.
Sample characters: John Proctor (protects name by refusing false confession) vs. Reverend Parris (obsessed with reputation); answers should compare outcomes and moral implications.
Choose a major motif (e.g., eyes/optic imagery, cars, parties) and analyze how Fitzgerald develops that motif to support the novel’s central themes.
Textual detail and clear linkage to themes (e.g., the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg as moral vacancy).
Explain the difference between summary and analysis in an academic essay. Why is analysis more important for a strong paper?
Summary restates plot; analysis interprets meaning/implications — analysis earns higher credit.
Revise the following for concision and clarity (preserve meaning):
“Due to the fact that the assignment was not completed by the student, the teacher was forced to assign a grade of incomplete.”
Provide the revised sentence and briefly explain what changes improved it.
“The student did not complete the assignment, so the teacher marked it incomplete.”
Explanation: removes wordiness, uses active phrasing.
You are preparing for an interview. List 3 questions you might expect to be asked.
Examples:
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Why should I hire you over the next person?