The Crucible Act 1 Study Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Early in the play, Rev. Parris is greatly concerned with his "enemies," whom he fears will use
Betty's mysterious illness against him. What does this show us about Parris? Would you say he's
a good father? Give evidence to support your answer. ✔✔He is not a good father, because he
cares about his reputation more than his daughter.
Why does Elizabeth Proctor only rarely come to church these days? ✔✔She doesn't want to go to
church because Abigail goes to church.
Abigail had an affair with John Proctor.
When Abigail relates her version of what happened in the forest, what lends credibility to her
story? Does Parris believe her? Why is he interested if her name is "entirely white in the
village"? ✔✔She says Tituba sang Barbados songs, which she does do.
However, Parris doesn't believe her.
Parris is interested because he doesn't want his reputation to be ruined.
Abigail describes Elizabeth Proctor as "a lying, cold sniveling woman." What's ironic about this?
✔✔It's ironic because Abigail was the one having an affair and she is lying to everyone.
, Ann Putnam says that her daughter, Ruth, has been acting strange this year. Describe Ruth's
behaviors. Ann Putnam says this is evidence of dark forces pulling on her child, whose age we're
not told but who is probably around 10 years old. What is a different, most more likely
explanation for Ruth's behaviors? ✔✔Ruth has been keeping things to herself and hiding things.
Puberty is a likely explanation.
When a Bible psalm is sung, Betty Parris wails. Ann Putnam concludes that this shows the child
has been touched by the Devil. Explain why this is a logical fallacy. What is the actual case of
Betty's wailing? ✔✔This is a logical fallacy because Ann is claiming that the psalm led to Betty
wailing, which does not have enough evidence behind it.
The real case may be because Abigail and John Proctor are talking about their affair and Betty
doesn't want to hear it.
Describe Mercy Lewis. Describe Mary Warren. What does Abigail threaten to do to the girls if
they tell about the casting of spells in the woods? Why is Abigail so dark? ✔✔Mercy is a servant
for the Putnams; she is bad news
Mary is a servant for the Proctors; she is shy and polite
Abigail threatens to stab them.
She's dark because she saw her parents getting killed by Native Americans.
Answers 100% Pass
Early in the play, Rev. Parris is greatly concerned with his "enemies," whom he fears will use
Betty's mysterious illness against him. What does this show us about Parris? Would you say he's
a good father? Give evidence to support your answer. ✔✔He is not a good father, because he
cares about his reputation more than his daughter.
Why does Elizabeth Proctor only rarely come to church these days? ✔✔She doesn't want to go to
church because Abigail goes to church.
Abigail had an affair with John Proctor.
When Abigail relates her version of what happened in the forest, what lends credibility to her
story? Does Parris believe her? Why is he interested if her name is "entirely white in the
village"? ✔✔She says Tituba sang Barbados songs, which she does do.
However, Parris doesn't believe her.
Parris is interested because he doesn't want his reputation to be ruined.
Abigail describes Elizabeth Proctor as "a lying, cold sniveling woman." What's ironic about this?
✔✔It's ironic because Abigail was the one having an affair and she is lying to everyone.
, Ann Putnam says that her daughter, Ruth, has been acting strange this year. Describe Ruth's
behaviors. Ann Putnam says this is evidence of dark forces pulling on her child, whose age we're
not told but who is probably around 10 years old. What is a different, most more likely
explanation for Ruth's behaviors? ✔✔Ruth has been keeping things to herself and hiding things.
Puberty is a likely explanation.
When a Bible psalm is sung, Betty Parris wails. Ann Putnam concludes that this shows the child
has been touched by the Devil. Explain why this is a logical fallacy. What is the actual case of
Betty's wailing? ✔✔This is a logical fallacy because Ann is claiming that the psalm led to Betty
wailing, which does not have enough evidence behind it.
The real case may be because Abigail and John Proctor are talking about their affair and Betty
doesn't want to hear it.
Describe Mercy Lewis. Describe Mary Warren. What does Abigail threaten to do to the girls if
they tell about the casting of spells in the woods? Why is Abigail so dark? ✔✔Mercy is a servant
for the Putnams; she is bad news
Mary is a servant for the Proctors; she is shy and polite
Abigail threatens to stab them.
She's dark because she saw her parents getting killed by Native Americans.
