The Crucible - Act I Vocab Quiz

Abigail is described as being great at dissembling, which means she is skilled at giving a false or misleading appearance. This implies that Abigail is adept at concealing her true intentions or emotions and presenting a facade that may not accurately reflect her thoughts or feelings.

Thomas Putnam is considered vindictive because he wants to get revenge upon people. This implies that he has a strong desire to harm or cause suffering to those who have wronged him or his family. His actions and motivations are driven by a deep-seated need for retaliation and a desire to settle scores, making him vindictive.

The correct answer is "theocracy." A theocracy is a form of government where religious leaders hold the highest authority and religious law is the basis for governance. In the context of the Puritan settlement, which was deeply rooted in religious beliefs and practices, it is logical to consider it a theocracy as religious principles and leaders played a significant role in shaping and governing the community.

The word "crucible" is used metaphorically in this context. It does not refer to a literal container for melting metals, but rather signifies a test or trial that the speaker's race, African Americans, must endure in America. This interpretation is supported by the phrase "passing through," which suggests a challenging and transformative experience. The word "crucible" conveys the idea that the African American community will face difficult circumstances that will shape and strengthen them, much like a test or trial.

The correct answer is "maligning." In this sentence, Francis, Giles, and John believe that the girls in court are harming or damaging the reputation of their innocent wives by accusing them of witchcraft. The word "maligning" means to speak harmful or false things about someone, which fits the context of the sentence.

The correct answer is "iniquity". In this context, the sentence suggests that the girls were perceived as holy vessels because they were believed to be saving the town from some form of evil or wickedness. "Iniquity" refers to immoral or unfair behavior, which aligns with the idea that the girls were seen as saviors against wrongdoing.

Mary Warren bends to the will of others because she is subservient. This means that she is obedient and submissive, often putting the desires and demands of others above her own. She lacks assertiveness and tends to follow the instructions and wishes of those in authority without question. This behavior suggests that Mary Warren is easily influenced and lacks the confidence to assert her own opinions or desires.

When Elizabeth thinks that Abigail has charged her, she feels trepidation because she is so nervous. Trepidation refers to a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen. In this context, Elizabeth's nervousness and fear of potential consequences make her feel trepidation. Theocracy, iniquity, and benevolence do not accurately describe Elizabeth's emotional state in this situation.

Francis and Giles believe that their wives are falsely accused because of the calumny of the people in the town. Calumny refers to false and malicious statements or accusations intended to harm someone's reputation. In this context, it suggests that the townspeople are spreading false rumors or making baseless accusations against their wives, leading Francis and Giles to believe in their innocence.

In the beginning of The Crucible, Abigail's behavior is described as uncharacteristic propriety. This means that she is acting in a manner that is socially appropriate and conforming to societal norms, rather than her usual bold and rebellious nature. This change in behavior suggests that Abigail is trying to hide something or manipulate the situation in order to avoid punishment or negative consequences.