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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. John Proctor says people will admit to anything when this is the alternative. What is it?

2. What is Martha Corey accused of?

3. Why is Hathorne suspicious of Hale?

4. Who is Tituba sharing a room with?

5. John Proctor says there is only one thing keeping him from confessing. What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Hale is suspicious of John Proctor's religious commitment. Why?

2. Describe Tituba's state of mind at the opening of Act 4.

3. John Proctor will confess verbally, but won't sign the confession. Why?

4. Why won't Danforth just pardon Rebecca Nurse?

5. Danforth asks Mary to do something to prove that she was faking with the other girls. What is it and does she do it?

6. Why doesn't John Proctor want to go to the trials and show that Abigail is lying?

7. Why doesn't Hale believe John Proctor when he tells Hale that Abigail admitted they were just dancing and not practicing any witchcraft?

8. Toward the end of Act 3, John Proctor finally attacks Abigail physically in court. What sends him over the edge?

9. Elizabeth is worried that Abigail will do something and she turns out to be right. What is it?

10. John Proctor brings a long list of witnesses to attest to the fact that his wife and others never associated with the devil. Why is this list not helpful?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One great thing about this play is that the characters are not simplistic. They are not all either good or evil, black or white. There are shades of gray. Students will choose their favorite character and compare his or her qualities, then decide whether he or she is mostly a "good guy" or mostly a villain. Then use specific examples to support each claim. Remind students: don't forget to address counter-arguments.

Essay Topic 2

What is the most important lesson to be learned from this play? Use specific examples to support all claims.

Essay Topic 3

How does a character's socio-economic status affect him or her in terms of accusation and execution for witchcraft? Choose two characters with different socio-economic status and compare and contrast their fate within the story. To what extent does this difference in treatment exist today?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 711 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample