The Crucible – Test Review Questions and Answers – Complete Literature Study
Guide
What were Abigail and the girls doing in the forest when Reverend Parris saw them? - (answers)The girls
were dancing and some of them were not wearing clothes. There was a frog in the pot and Tituba was
chanting.
Why is Parris so worried about the evidence of witchcraft being discovered in his own house? -
(answers)Parris wants to remain minister and fears any evidence that may harm his reputation in the
town.
What does Rebecca Nurse think is wrong with the girls? - (answers)She thinks that the girls are faking
witchcraft to get attention.
Why is Mrs. Putnam so eager to prove there is witchcraft in the village? - (answers)She has lost all but
one of her children shortly after they were born and wants someone to blame (a scapegoat).
What is the source of the conflict between Parris and Proctor? - (answers)Proctor questions Parris's
beliefs and morals. He sees that Parris is more concerned with keeping his position as minister than with
practicing his true religion and devotion to God.
What is the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor? - (answers)John cheated on Elizabeth, his
wife, with Abigail once. Abigail is now obsessed with John and wants to be his wife, but John feels guilty
after committing adultery.
How does Abigail feel about John's wife, Elizabeth? - (answers)Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth and thus
despises her.
What is unusual about Giles Corey? - (answers)He never attended church before he married his wife. He
reports that his wife reads books that he does not know about. Also, he files lawsuits regularly.
, Why is Thomas Putnam such a bitter man? - (answers)He wants more land and therefore, more power.
Who is Reverend Hale, and what does he accomplish? - (answers)He is a reverend who is summoned to
Salem to identify witches. He puts the majority of Salem in jail, but later realizes that there is no
witchcraft in Salem-only corruption. He leaves and returns later.
Why does Tituba confess so readily? What does her confession initiate? - (answers)She confesses
because she is being whipped. Her confession causes the women to begin accusing others.
What is the source of the tension in the Proctor household? - (answers)Elizabeth knows that John
committed adultery and she cannot forgive him for that.
What does Elizabeh fear about Abigail? - (answers)She fears Abigail's instability and thinks that she will
do anything to get her out of the way so that she can have John for herself.
What is the only way a person accused of witchcraft can save his or her own life? - (answers)They must
confess to witchcraft.
How does Mary "save" Elizabeth's life, but later cause her to be accused? - (answers)Initially, Mary told
the court that she never saw any evidence that Elizabeth Proctor was a witch. Later, the "poppet" Mary
gave Elizabeth was used as evidence against her.
According to Proctor, what concerns Parris more than his duty to God? - (answers)Parris is more
concerned with keeping his position as minister. He purchased gold and candles.
Why does Hale come to see the Proctors? - (answers)They were not attending church and there was a
needle found in Abigail's abdomen
Which commandment does John forget? - (answers)adultery
Guide
What were Abigail and the girls doing in the forest when Reverend Parris saw them? - (answers)The girls
were dancing and some of them were not wearing clothes. There was a frog in the pot and Tituba was
chanting.
Why is Parris so worried about the evidence of witchcraft being discovered in his own house? -
(answers)Parris wants to remain minister and fears any evidence that may harm his reputation in the
town.
What does Rebecca Nurse think is wrong with the girls? - (answers)She thinks that the girls are faking
witchcraft to get attention.
Why is Mrs. Putnam so eager to prove there is witchcraft in the village? - (answers)She has lost all but
one of her children shortly after they were born and wants someone to blame (a scapegoat).
What is the source of the conflict between Parris and Proctor? - (answers)Proctor questions Parris's
beliefs and morals. He sees that Parris is more concerned with keeping his position as minister than with
practicing his true religion and devotion to God.
What is the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor? - (answers)John cheated on Elizabeth, his
wife, with Abigail once. Abigail is now obsessed with John and wants to be his wife, but John feels guilty
after committing adultery.
How does Abigail feel about John's wife, Elizabeth? - (answers)Abigail is jealous of Elizabeth and thus
despises her.
What is unusual about Giles Corey? - (answers)He never attended church before he married his wife. He
reports that his wife reads books that he does not know about. Also, he files lawsuits regularly.
, Why is Thomas Putnam such a bitter man? - (answers)He wants more land and therefore, more power.
Who is Reverend Hale, and what does he accomplish? - (answers)He is a reverend who is summoned to
Salem to identify witches. He puts the majority of Salem in jail, but later realizes that there is no
witchcraft in Salem-only corruption. He leaves and returns later.
Why does Tituba confess so readily? What does her confession initiate? - (answers)She confesses
because she is being whipped. Her confession causes the women to begin accusing others.
What is the source of the tension in the Proctor household? - (answers)Elizabeth knows that John
committed adultery and she cannot forgive him for that.
What does Elizabeh fear about Abigail? - (answers)She fears Abigail's instability and thinks that she will
do anything to get her out of the way so that she can have John for herself.
What is the only way a person accused of witchcraft can save his or her own life? - (answers)They must
confess to witchcraft.
How does Mary "save" Elizabeth's life, but later cause her to be accused? - (answers)Initially, Mary told
the court that she never saw any evidence that Elizabeth Proctor was a witch. Later, the "poppet" Mary
gave Elizabeth was used as evidence against her.
According to Proctor, what concerns Parris more than his duty to God? - (answers)Parris is more
concerned with keeping his position as minister. He purchased gold and candles.
Why does Hale come to see the Proctors? - (answers)They were not attending church and there was a
needle found in Abigail's abdomen
Which commandment does John forget? - (answers)adultery
