Witchcraft in Salem
Quiz by Abigail Padilla
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- Q1In 1692, a series of strange events that cannot be fully accounted for today broke out in the Puritan settlement of Salem, Massachusetts. Accusations of witchcraft quickly spread throughout the town and many—especially the women of Salem—feared that they would be next. As you read, pay attention to how the witch trials were conducted in Salem. Surely the Devil had come to Salem in 1692. Young girls screaming and barking like a dog? Strange dances in the woods? This was behavior hardly becoming of virtuous teenage maidens (a young girl, especially an unmarried one). The town doctor was called onto the scene. After a thorough examination, he concluded quite simply — the girls were bewitched. Now the task was clear. Whomever was responsible for this outrage must be brought to justice. The ordeal originated in the home of Salem’s Reverend Samuel Parris. Parris had a slave from the Caribbean named Tituba. Several of the town’s teenage girls began to gather in the kitchen with Tituba early in 1692. As winter turned to spring the townspeople were aghast at the behaviors exhibited by Tituba’s young followers. They were believed to have danced a black magic dance in the nearby woods. Several of the girls would fall to the floor and scream hysterically. Soon this behavior began to spread across Salem. Ministers from nearby communities came to Salem to lend their sage advice. The talk turned to identifying the parties responsible for this mess. Puritans believed that to become bewitched a witch must draw an individual under a spell. The girls could not have possibly brought this condition onto themselves. Soon they were questioned and forced to name their tormentors. Three townspeople, including Tituba, were named as witches. The famous Salem witchcraft trials began as the girls began to name more and more community members. According to the text, why was Tituba likely charged with witchcraft?Tituba was the only black slave in Salem and this made the prejudiced community suspicious of her.Tituba confessed to the crime of witchcraft to avoid extended jail time.Tituba had young followers who started acting strangely, as if under a spell.The teenage girls who "followed" Tituba secretly hated her and called her a witch.300s
- Q2Evidence admitted in such trials was of five types. First, the accused might be asked to pass a test, like reciting the Lord’s Prayer. This seems simple enough. But the young girls who attended the trial were known to scream and writhe9 on the floor in the middle of the test. It is easy to understand why some could not pass. Second, physical evidence was considered. Any birthmarks, warts, moles, or other blemishes were seen as possible portals through which Satan could enter a body.10 Witness testimony was a third consideration. Anyone who could attribute their misfortune to the sorcery of an accused person might help get a conviction.11 Fourth was spectral evidence. Puritans believed that Satan could not take the form of any unwilling person. Therefore, if anyone saw a ghost or spirit in the form of the accused, the person in question must be a witch.12 Last was the confession. Confession seems foolhardy to a defendant who is certain of his or her innocence. In many cases, it was the only way out.13 A confessor would tearfully throw himself or herself on the mercy of the town and court and promise repentance.14 None of the confessors were executed. Part of repentance might of course include helping to convict others. Which of the following is NOT a type of evidence that could be used in a witch trial in Salem?details from the accused person's childhoodseeing the presence of a ghosta test a "witch" could not passgrievances or complaints from villagers300s
- Q3hysteria: exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion, especially among a group of people As 1692 passed into 1693, the hysteria began to lose steam. The governor of the colony, upon hearing that his own wife was accused of witchcraft ordered an end to the trials. However, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem. One person was pressed to death under a pile of stones for refusing to testify. No one knows the whole truth behind what happened in Salem. Once witchcraft is ruled out, other important factors come to light. Salem had suffered greatly in recent years from Indian attacks. As the town became more populated, land became harder and harder to acquire. A smallpox epidemic had broken out at the beginning of the decade. Massachusetts was experiencing some of the worst winters in memory. The motives of the young girls themselves can be questioned. In a society where women had no power, particularly young women, is it not understandable how a few adolescent girls, drunk with unforeseen attention, allowed their imaginations to run wild? Historians make educated guesses, but the real answers lie with the ages. Why are the Salem Witch Trials considered a unique period of hysteria in American history?It is the only case of legitimate which trials in American history,A surprising number of people died and no one cause has been determined as to why this happened.It is the only incident in which animals were killed for crimes.All records of the trials have been erased from history, leaving historians to guess.300s
- Q4Which of the following best describes a central idea of the passage?If Tituba had not been present in Salem, any suspicions about witchcraft would not have been taken as seriously.The girls of Salem purposefully targeted people they hated, fully understanding the consequences of their actions.The town of Salem believed it was being plagued by witches, and in their panic they held a number of unfair trials.Once someone was accused of witchcraft, there was no way out; anyone who confessed or tried to prove their innocence was executed.300s
- Q5Main idea/central idea: The town of Salem believed it was being plagued by witches, and in their panic they held a number of unfair trials. Which of the following quotes (text evidence) best supports the main idea?“Parris had a slave from the Caribbean named Tituba. Several of the town’s teenage girls began to gather in the kitchen with Tituba early in 1692.” (Paragraph 2)“the young girls who attended the trial were known to scream and writhe on the floor in the middle of the test.” (Paragraph 4)“However, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem. One person was pressed to death under a pile of stones for refusing to testify.” (Paragraph 9)“No one knows the whole truth behind what happened in Salem. Once witchcraft is ruled out, other important factors come to light.” (Paragraph 10)300s
- Q6Which of the following statements best describes how the conditions in Salem contributed to the development of the witch hunts?Salem was a small community in which women wielded little power because it was feared that power turned women into witches.Salem was a small community separate from larger European settlements and did not have the proper authorities to prevent these unjust trials.Salem did not permit dancing or any type of fun, and this boredom compelled its citizens to seek out excitement in the witch hunts.Salem was a strict religious community that had suffered many recent tragedies, and these conditions created an environment of fear and paranoia.300s
- Q7Which statement best captures the author’s point of view on the trials?The author views its origins as unknown but explainable.The author describes the trials as nonsensical and without any procedure.The author blames the girls for creating the atmosphere of fear in Salem.The author believes in the possibility of actual witchcraft in Salem.300s
- Q8The main idea/central idea of the text is that the town of Salem believed it was being plagued by WITCHES, and in their PANIC they held a number of UNFAIR trials.TrueFalse300s
- Q9Why did the town create 5 types of evidence that could be presented against the accused witches?To test the intelligence of the accused witches.To determine whether the accused were actual witches or not.300s
- Q10How do the paragraphs explaining the different types of evidence used in the witch trials develop the main idea that the scared town held a number of unfair trials?Because the different types of evidence used in the witch trials were impossible to prove and easy to fake, it showed just how frightened was the town of Salem.Because the different types of evidence used in the witch trials were impossible to prove and easy to fake, it showed how celebratory was the town of Salem.Because the different types of evidence used in the witch trials were impossible to prove and easy to fake, it showed how unprepared was the town of Salem.300s