
SHORT ANSWER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS - The Crucible
Act One
1. "So now they and their church found it necessary to deny any other sect its freedom, lest their New
Jerusalem be defiled and corrupted by wrong and deceitful ideas." What is the irony in that
statement?
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2. Explain how the witch-hunt years were a time of "general revenge."
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3. Identify Tituba, Abigail, and Betty.
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4. Why does Mrs. Putnam believe there are witches in Salem?
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5. Why is Thomas Putnam bitter?
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6. Parris says, "Oh, Abigail, what proper payment for my charity! Now I am undone!" What does
that mean?
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7. What is Mary's argument to Abby?
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8. Describe Proctor.
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9. What happened between Abigail and John Proctor prior to the opening of the play?
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10. What was the "sign" that Betty was bewitched?
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11. Identify Francis and Rebecca Nurse.
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