Prompt (300 words): How does John Proctor change from Act I to Act IV? Show his flaws, his turning points and his final choice.
| Criteria | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Answer to the prompt | Off topic | Partial | Clear | Clear and nuanced |
| Evidence from the play | None | General | Precise examples | Precise examples and a quotation |
| Organisation | No plan | Basic | Paragraphs and connectors | Fluent and logical |
| Language | Many errors | Some errors | Few errors | Accurate and varied |
At the beginning of the play, John Proctor is a respected farmer who hides a guilty secret: his affair with Abigail. He despises hypocrisy, yet he is a hypocrite himself, and his silence allows Abigail to gain power. His first turning point comes in Act II, when Elizabeth is arrested: he tears the warrant and accuses the court of vengeance. In Act III, he sacrifices his reputation by confessing his adultery in public, in order to save his wife. Finally, in Act IV, he refuses to let his false confession be nailed to the church door, because his name is the only thing he still owns. Proctor moves from private guilt to public integrity; Miller shows that a flawed man can become a tragic hero.
Prompt (300 words): "The Crucible is not only about 1692." Discuss, using one theme (fear, reputation or power) and Miller's purpose in writing the play.
| Criteria | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Answer to the prompt | Off topic | Partial | Clear | Clear and nuanced |
| Evidence from the play | None | General | Precise examples | Precise examples and a quotation |
| Organisation | No plan | Basic | Paragraphs and connectors | Fluent and logical |
| Language | Many errors | Some errors | Few errors | Accurate and varied |
Although The Crucible takes place in Salem in 1692, Miller wrote it in the early 1950s, when HUAC asked Americans to name names. The theme of fear links the two periods: in Salem, the court sees doubt as an attack, and in the 1950s, refusing to cooperate could cost a career. Miller himself refused to name others in 1956. His purpose is to show how fear destroys justice when accusation becomes proof. The play remains relevant today, as rumours spread online faster than corrections.