Name ______________________________________ Date ______________________ Class ______________________
The Crucible, Act 1 ARTHUR MILLER
VOCABULARY
compromise v. to endanger the reputation or
interests of; to expose to suspicion
contention n. a verbal argument or struggle;
quarreling
subservient adj. useful in an inferior capacity;
submissive
pretense n. a false show or appearance, especially
for the purpose of deceiving; falseness.
evade v. to escape or avoid, as by cleverness
naïve adj. lacking knowledge of the ways of the
world; unsophisticated; innocent
EXERCISE A – Words in Context
Write the word from the word list that belongs in the blank in each sentence.
1. People often boss Ted around, taking advantage of his _______________________ manner.
2. The wily thief was able to _______________________ the trap that the police set for him.
3. He knows that you are not really wealthy, so you can drop the _______________________ .
4. That terrible story about him will ______________________ his position in the community.
5. If she believes that everyone is honest, she must be extremely _______________________ .
6. Dinner in our house is a time for peace and harmony, not for _______________________ .
EXERCISE B – Practice with Word Origins
Place the number of the vocabulary word in front of the word or words on the right that share a prefix.
1. compromise
2. contention
3. subservient
4. pretense
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
presumption, belief or assumption that something is true
compact, a type of agreement
prescribe, to order or make something a rule
subjugate, to enslave or put under the power of another
compensation, payment in return for something
predispose, to make susceptible to or able to be influenced by
contrite, a sense of regret
EXERCISE C – Crossword Puzzle
Complete the crossword puzzle by writing the vocabulary word that is defined by each clue.
Across
1. discredit; imperil
Down
1. conflict; discord
4. elude; dodge
2. obedient; servile
5. guileless; trusting
3. deceit; fraud
The Crucible, Act 2 ARTHUR MILLER
VOCABULARY
misgiving n. a feeling of doubt, distrust, or anxiety
base adj. morally low; dishonorable
subtle adj. not open, direct, or obvious; crafty; sly
covet v. to desire, especially to an excessive degree,
something belonging to another
reprimand v. to reprove or correct sharply
ineptly adv. incompetently; awkwardly; clumsily
ameliorate v. to make better or more tolerable; to
improve
EXERCISE A – Words in Context
Write the word from the word list that belongs in the blank in each sentence.
1. They have so much, but they’re greedy and _______________________ what others have.
2. She did not want to blurt it out, so she tried to drop _______________________ hints.
3. The judge described the criminal’s actions as disgusting and _______________________ .
4. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, so I have some _______________________ about his plan.
5. We know we behaved badly, but did you have to _______________________ us in public?
6. The project was a failure because it was managed _______________________ .
7. The only way the poor family could _______________________ their financial situation was to move to a town where
the cost of living was cheaper.
EXERCISE B – Applying Meanings
Write yes or no to answer each question.
1. Would you expect everybody to get a subtle joke right away?
_____________________________
2. If you hate taking pictures, are you likely to covet a camera?
_____________________________
3. Would an angry parent be likely to reprimand a child for disobeying?
_____________________________
4. Does an Olympic gold-medal-winner play ineptly at her sport?
_____________________________
5. Would you characterize stealing as a base act?
_____________________________
6. If a person had a reputation for being honest, would you have
some misgiving about the truth of what the person said?
_____________________________
EXERCISE C – Analogies
Write the word that best completes each analogy.
1. reprimand : compliment :: separate : _______________
A. decline
B. unfasten
C. connect
2. base : traitor :: honorable : _______________
A. architect
B. patriot
C. mechanic
3. covet : greed :: consume : _______________
A. fascination
B. hunger
C. health
4. ineptly : effectively :: totally : _______________
A. incorrectly
B. partially
C. absolutely
The Crucible, Act 3 ARTHUR MILLER
VOCABULARY
vile adj. evil; foul; repulsive; degrading
contemplation n. the act of thinking about
something long and seriously
immaculate adj. unblemished, flawless; pure
unperturbed adv. undisturbed; calm
perjury n. the act of swearing under oath to the
truth of something that one knows to be untrue
guile n. cunning; deceit; slyness
EXERCISE A – Words in Context
Write the word from the word list that belongs in the blank in each sentence.
1. She made the decision to take a new job after weeks of careful _______________________ .
2. We walked away in disgust because of his _______________________ , abusive language.
3. The boy screamed in fear, but the girl sat quietly, apparently _______________________ .
4. Ed has never gotten a traffic ticket His driving record is _______________________ .
5. They thought she was honest and were deceived by her _______________________ .
6. The witness committed _______________________ by saying that he never saw a crime take place.
EXERCISE B – Applying Meanings
Write the vocabulary word that answers each question.
1. A bird lands on Ramon’s head, but Ramon ignores it and finishes speaking.
How would you describe Ramon? _______________________
2. Pat is offered a better job in another state, but she does not want to move again.
What will her decision require? _______________________
3. An apartment in an abandoned building reeks with the odor of rotting garbage.
How would you describe the smell? _______________________
4. The elderly woman’s apartment was spotless and tidy.
How might visitors describe it? _______________________
EXERCISE C – Applying Meanings
Circle the correct ending for each open-ended sentence below.
1. Vile would be an appropriate description of
a. a vicious crime
b. a smiling child
c. a sunny day
2. A person who is unperturbed would probably also be
a. anxious
b. grief-stricken
c. relaxed
b. cheat and lie
c. cook and clean
3. To use guile, a person would
a. sing and dance
The Crucible, Act 4 ARTHUR MILLER
VOCABULARY
adamant adj. completely firm and unyielding
indictment n. a formal legal accusation, charging the
commission or omission of an act
conciliatory adj. intended to gain or regain the good
will of another by friendly acts
reprieve n. official postponement of the carrying
out of a sentence
retaliation n. the act of repaying an injury or wrong
by committing, the same, or a similar act
EXERCISE A – Words in Context
Write the word from the word list that belongs in the blank in each sentence.
1. It’s useless to try to change her mind. She is _______________________ .
2. After we hid their equipment, they hid our team mascot in _______________________ .
3. His offer to pay for the damages to my car was a _______________________ gesture.
4. The district attorney has enough evidence to issue an _______________________ .
5. If the judge grants him a _______________________ , he won’t have to go to jail right now.
EXERCISE B – Synonyms/Antonyms
For each word below, choose a word from the list above that is a synonym or antonym of that word.
1. flexible
_________________________________
2. suspension
_________________________________
3. indictment
_________________________________
4. hostile
_________________________________
5. vengeance
_________________________________
EXERCISE C – Applying Meanings
Write the vocabulary word that answers each riddle.
1. I name something that prosecutors use to bring a crime suspect to trial.
Which word am I?
__________________________________
2. I name what unprepared students hope their teacher will give them.
Which word am I?
__________________________________
3. I describe a person who refuses to reconsider a decision.
Which word am I?
__________________________________
4. I describe pleasant behavior that is intended to win someone over.
Which word am I?
__________________________________
EXERCISE D – Applying Meanings
Write yes or no to answer each question.
1. Would you expect a citizen to feel pleased after receiving an indictment?
______________________________
2. Would an unprepared student hope for a reprieve from a surprise quiz?
______________________________
3. Would an adamant person refuse to reconsider a decision after making it?
______________________________
4. Would forgiving someone who stole from you be an act of retaliation?
______________________________
EXERCISE E – Classifying
Write the vocabulary word that best completes each group of related words.
1. extension, pardon, suspension,
__________________________________
2. punishment, vengeance, counterattack,
__________________________________