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AP English Literature

Crucible Basic Ideas

Shared by shashankc · Nov 3, 2026 · 0 plays

Basic-ideas practice questions on Arthur Miller's The Crucible: plot, characters, setting, and key events across all four acts.

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34 questions. After every answer you’ll see why each choice is right or wrong, not just the one you picked.

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Sample questions

Open a question to see the answer choices and the correct answer.

In Act One, why does Reverend Parris at first resist calling Betty's illness witchcraft?
  1. A. He agrees with Rebecca Nurse that the children are simply going through a 'silly season.'
  2. B. He fears his enemies in the parish will use witchcraft in his own house to drive him from his pulpit. ✓
  3. C. He is convinced the girls are only pretending and plans to punish them privately.
  4. D. He has no belief in witchcraft and considers Hale's expertise superstition.

Correct answer: B. Act One: Parris tells Abigail that a 'faction' is sworn to drive him from his pulpit and that his enemies will 'ruin me with it.' He later embraces witchcraft once it clears his household.

What is the actual reason Elizabeth Proctor dismissed Abigail from her household?
  1. A. She caught Abigail dancing in the forest with Tituba.
  2. B. She came to believe John had become involved with Abigail. ✓
  3. C. Abigail was twice put out of the meeting house for laughing during prayer.
  4. D. Abigail refused to obey her and called her a cold, sniveling woman.

Correct answer: B. Act Three: Elizabeth says she 'came to think he fancied her' and put Abigail out on the highroad; Proctor confirms she put her out 'for a harlot.' The other options are Abigail's insults or separate events.

Which statement best describes Abigail's motive for accusing Elizabeth Proctor?
  1. A. She wants revenge on Elizabeth for gossip, unconnected to her feelings for Proctor.
  2. B. She is carrying out Thomas Putnam's plan to gain the Proctors' land.
  3. C. She sincerely believes Elizabeth's spirit stabbed her with a needle.
  4. D. She hopes to remove Elizabeth so that she can take her place with John Proctor. ✓

Correct answer: D. Act One shows Abigail drank a charm 'to kill Goody Proctor,' and in Act Two Elizabeth explains Abigail 'thinks to kill me, then to take my place.'

Why does Proctor delay telling the court that Abigail told him the illness had nothing to do with witchcraft?
  1. A. Elizabeth asks him to keep silent to protect the family's reputation.
  2. B. He told it to no witness, and exposing her would mean explaining why he was alone with her. ✓
  3. C. He is not sure Abigail was telling him the truth when she said it.
  4. D. Parris threatens to have him excommunicated if he interferes.

Correct answer: B. Act Two: Proctor says 'She told it to me in a room alone - I have no proof for it,' and the admission that he was alone with Abigail reopens Elizabeth's suspicion. Exposing Abigail means exposing the affair.

In Act Four, what is Danforth's main reason for refusing to postpone or pardon the remaining executions?
  1. A. A pardon or delay would cast doubt on the guilt of those already hanged and make the court look weak. ✓
  2. B. New evidence has convinced him that every condemned prisoner is guilty.
  3. C. He fears that Abigail will accuse him if he shows mercy.
  4. D. Massachusetts law requires sentences to be carried out at the next sunrise.

Correct answer: A. Act Four: 'reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now,' and postponement 'speaks a floundering on my part.'