Grade 12 Literature Setwork
NSC and SC Examination
Question Papers and Memoranda
(Marking Guidelines)
English Home Language:
Drama – The Crucible
All Examination Question Papers and
Marking Guidelines:
Copyright Department of Basic
Education
,English Home Language/P2 22 DBE/November 2018
NSC
THE CRUCIBLE – Arthur Miller
Answer EITHER QUESTION 14 (essay question) OR QUESTION 15 (contextual
question).
QUESTION 14: THE CRUCIBLE – ESSAY QUESTION
The manner in which Salem views its women contributes to the tragedy that unfolds.
Critically assess the validity of this statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words
(2–2½ pages). [25]
QUESTION 15: THE CRUCIBLE – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT I
TITUBA (already taking a step backward): My Betty be hearty soon?
PARRIS Out of here!
TITUBA (backing to the door): My Betty not goin' die …
PARRIS (scrambling to his feet in a fury): Out of my sight! (She is gone.) Out of
my – (He is overcome with sobs. He clamps his teeth against them and 5
closes the door and leans against it, exhausted.) Oh, my God! God
help me! (Quaking with fear, mumbling to himself through his sobs, he
goes to the bed and gently takes Betty's hand.) Betty. Child. Dear child.
Will you wake, will you open up your eyes! Betty, little one …
He is bending to kneel again when his niece, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, 10
seventeen, enters – a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an
endless capacity for dissembling. Now she is all worry and
apprehension and propriety.
ABIGAIL Uncle? (He looks to her.) Susanna Walcott's here from Doctor Griggs.
…
SUSANNA Aye, sir, he have been searchin' his books since he left you, sir. But he 15
bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause
of it.
PARRIS (his eyes going wide): No – no. There be no unnatural cause here. Tell
him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mr Hale will surely
confirm that. Let him look to medicine and put out all thought of 20
unnatural causes here. There be none.
SUSANNA Aye, sir. He bid me tell you. (She turns to go.)
ABIGAIL Speak nothin' of it in the village, Susanna.
PARRIS Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes.
SUSANNA Aye, sir. I pray for her. (She goes out.) 25
ABIGAIL Uncle, the rumour of witchcraft is all about; I think you'd best go down
and deny it yourself. The parlour's packed with people, sir.
[Act 1]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
2 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
, English Home Language/P2 23 DBE/November 2018
NSC
15.1 Refer to the stage direction in line 1: '(already taking a step backward)'.
Explain what prompts Tituba's behaviour here. (3)
15.2 Refer to line 18: 'There be no unnatural cause here.'
Account for Parris's contradiction of this statement when he later supports the
witchcraft allegations. (3)
15.3 Refer to lines 11–12: 'with an endless capacity for dissembling.'
Discuss the accuracy of this description of Abigail. (3)
15.4 Based on your understanding of the nature of Salem society, discuss the
reasons for 'the rumour of witchcraft' (line 26) spreading so quickly. (3)
AND
EXTRACT J
DANFORTH Who is this man?
FRANCIS Francis Nurse, Your Excellency.
HALE His wife's Rebecca that were condemned this morning.
DANFORTH Indeed! I am amazed to find you in such uproar. I have only good report
of your character, Mr Nurse. 5
HATHORNE I think they must both be arrested in contempt, sir.
DANFORTH (to Francis): Let you write your plea, and in due time I will –
FRANCIS Excellency, we have proof for your eyes; God forbid you shut them to it.
The girls, sir, the girls are frauds.
DANFORTH What's that? 10
FRANCIS We have proof of it, sir. They are all deceiving you.
DANFORTH is shocked, but studying Francis.
HATHORNE This is contempt, sir, contempt!
DANFORTH Peace, Judge Hathorne. Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse?
FRANCIS I surely do, sir, and I think you must be a wise judge to be what you 15
are.
DANFORTH And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from
Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?
FRANCIS I–
DANFORTH And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature? 20
FRANCIS Excellency, I never thought to say it to such a weighty judge, but you
are deceived.
[Act 3]
15.5 Place this extract in context. (3)
15.6 Refer to line 10: 'What's that?'
If you were the director of a production of The Crucible, how would you
instruct the actor to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body
language and tone. Motivate your instructions. (3)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language 3
, English Home Language/P2 24 DBE/November 2018
NSC
15.7 Refer to line 3: 'His wife's Rebecca that were condemned this morning.'
Using this line as a starting point, discuss how Rebecca Nurse's execution
influences the villagers' changing perception of the court. (3)
15.8 Danforth's refusal to listen to the truth is a sign of cowardice.
Critically comment on the extent to which you agree with this statement. (4)
[25]
TOTAL SECTION C: 25
GRAND TOTAL: 80
Copyright reserved
4 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
NSC and SC Examination
Question Papers and Memoranda
(Marking Guidelines)
English Home Language:
Drama – The Crucible
All Examination Question Papers and
Marking Guidelines:
Copyright Department of Basic
Education
,English Home Language/P2 22 DBE/November 2018
NSC
THE CRUCIBLE – Arthur Miller
Answer EITHER QUESTION 14 (essay question) OR QUESTION 15 (contextual
question).
QUESTION 14: THE CRUCIBLE – ESSAY QUESTION
The manner in which Salem views its women contributes to the tragedy that unfolds.
Critically assess the validity of this statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words
(2–2½ pages). [25]
QUESTION 15: THE CRUCIBLE – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT I
TITUBA (already taking a step backward): My Betty be hearty soon?
PARRIS Out of here!
TITUBA (backing to the door): My Betty not goin' die …
PARRIS (scrambling to his feet in a fury): Out of my sight! (She is gone.) Out of
my – (He is overcome with sobs. He clamps his teeth against them and 5
closes the door and leans against it, exhausted.) Oh, my God! God
help me! (Quaking with fear, mumbling to himself through his sobs, he
goes to the bed and gently takes Betty's hand.) Betty. Child. Dear child.
Will you wake, will you open up your eyes! Betty, little one …
He is bending to kneel again when his niece, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, 10
seventeen, enters – a strikingly beautiful girl, an orphan, with an
endless capacity for dissembling. Now she is all worry and
apprehension and propriety.
ABIGAIL Uncle? (He looks to her.) Susanna Walcott's here from Doctor Griggs.
…
SUSANNA Aye, sir, he have been searchin' his books since he left you, sir. But he 15
bid me tell you, that you might look to unnatural things for the cause
of it.
PARRIS (his eyes going wide): No – no. There be no unnatural cause here. Tell
him I have sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, and Mr Hale will surely
confirm that. Let him look to medicine and put out all thought of 20
unnatural causes here. There be none.
SUSANNA Aye, sir. He bid me tell you. (She turns to go.)
ABIGAIL Speak nothin' of it in the village, Susanna.
PARRIS Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes.
SUSANNA Aye, sir. I pray for her. (She goes out.) 25
ABIGAIL Uncle, the rumour of witchcraft is all about; I think you'd best go down
and deny it yourself. The parlour's packed with people, sir.
[Act 1]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
2 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
, English Home Language/P2 23 DBE/November 2018
NSC
15.1 Refer to the stage direction in line 1: '(already taking a step backward)'.
Explain what prompts Tituba's behaviour here. (3)
15.2 Refer to line 18: 'There be no unnatural cause here.'
Account for Parris's contradiction of this statement when he later supports the
witchcraft allegations. (3)
15.3 Refer to lines 11–12: 'with an endless capacity for dissembling.'
Discuss the accuracy of this description of Abigail. (3)
15.4 Based on your understanding of the nature of Salem society, discuss the
reasons for 'the rumour of witchcraft' (line 26) spreading so quickly. (3)
AND
EXTRACT J
DANFORTH Who is this man?
FRANCIS Francis Nurse, Your Excellency.
HALE His wife's Rebecca that were condemned this morning.
DANFORTH Indeed! I am amazed to find you in such uproar. I have only good report
of your character, Mr Nurse. 5
HATHORNE I think they must both be arrested in contempt, sir.
DANFORTH (to Francis): Let you write your plea, and in due time I will –
FRANCIS Excellency, we have proof for your eyes; God forbid you shut them to it.
The girls, sir, the girls are frauds.
DANFORTH What's that? 10
FRANCIS We have proof of it, sir. They are all deceiving you.
DANFORTH is shocked, but studying Francis.
HATHORNE This is contempt, sir, contempt!
DANFORTH Peace, Judge Hathorne. Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse?
FRANCIS I surely do, sir, and I think you must be a wise judge to be what you 15
are.
DANFORTH And do you know that near to four hundred are in the jails from
Marblehead to Lynn, and upon my signature?
FRANCIS I–
DANFORTH And seventy-two condemned to hang by that signature? 20
FRANCIS Excellency, I never thought to say it to such a weighty judge, but you
are deceived.
[Act 3]
15.5 Place this extract in context. (3)
15.6 Refer to line 10: 'What's that?'
If you were the director of a production of The Crucible, how would you
instruct the actor to deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body
language and tone. Motivate your instructions. (3)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language 3
, English Home Language/P2 24 DBE/November 2018
NSC
15.7 Refer to line 3: 'His wife's Rebecca that were condemned this morning.'
Using this line as a starting point, discuss how Rebecca Nurse's execution
influences the villagers' changing perception of the court. (3)
15.8 Danforth's refusal to listen to the truth is a sign of cowardice.
Critically comment on the extent to which you agree with this statement. (4)
[25]
TOTAL SECTION C: 25
GRAND TOTAL: 80
Copyright reserved
4 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
