The Crucible Act I - Questions
Directions: Answer each question. You MUST cite specific lines from the text to
support your answers for MOST questions, and provide the page numbers. For
example, # 14 asks you how you know the characters feel this way. You must show
evidence from the play that drove you to the conclusion you drew about the
characters’ feelings.
Pages 1-12 Betty on bed
1. Why has Reverend Parris sent for a doctor as the play begins?
2. What is this doctor’s name, what advice does the doctor send back, and with
whom does he send this information?
3. What did Parris say he saw in the woods the previous night? (he saw several
things)
4. About what does Parris question Abigail on p11-12 and what is her response?
5. What has Elizabeth Proctor been rumored to have said about Abigail? (be
specific)
6. Why does Abigail say she was dismissed by the Proctors?
7. What is Parris’s main concern in this entire situation?
Pages 12-20: Putnams arrive; Girls are alone
8. Briefly identify Ann Putnam and explain why she has arrived at Parris’s home.
9. Give two examples for why Thomas Putnam is a bitter, resentful man.
10. How do you know that Thomas Putnam doesn’t like Reverend Parris? Cite the
line.
11. Why did Mrs. Putnam contact Tituba?
12. Who does Abigail accuse of conjuring spirits at this point?
13. What does Betty Parris reveal about what happened in the woods?
14. What threat does Abigail make to the other girls?
Pages 20-24: Proctor & Abby
15. Identify 5 important details about John Proctor based on the essay about him.
16. What happened in the past between John Proctor and Abigail? How does each of
them feel about it now? (How do you know they feel this way?)
Pages 24-32: Nurse, Proctor, Putnam, Corey, Parris-bitterness/old feuds
17. Identify 5 important details about Rebecca Nurse based on the essay about her.
18. Is Rebecca similar to or different from other characters in the play? How do you
know?
19. How does John Proctor feel about Reverend Parris? How do you know?
20. What is the dispute between John Proctor and Thomas Putnam?
21. How is Giles Corey treated by the other characters? Give 2 examples.
Pages 32-48 HALE arrives: the naming begins
22. Why is Reverend Hale in Salem?
23. Identify 5 important details about Reverend Hale based on the essay about him.
24. What does Giles Corey reveal to Reverend Hale about his wife?
25. When Abigail is questioned by Reverend Hale, who does she blame? What proof
does she offer?
26. Identify the four ways Tituba is coerced into confessing. Give specific examples
27. Discuss Tituba’s confession about what the Devil told her to do. What motivated
that speech?
28. Why does Abigail start accusing people at this point?
29. Why does Betty Parris start accusing people?
30. Note any other important details from this play.