The teacher, or a student, asks the questions. Answer in full sentences, then ask a follow-up question to your partner. Change roles every three questions.
Questions to answer orally
Where and when does the play take place?
Why does Abigail accuse Elizabeth?
What is spectral evidence?
Why does Elizabeth lie in court?
Why does Hale change his mind?
Why did Miller write the play in the 1950s?
Why does Proctor tear his confession?
What is a modern witch hunt?
Model answers
In Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.
She is jealous and wants to take her place with John Proctor.
A girl claims to see the spirit of the accused attacking her; nobody else can see it.
To protect her husband's reputation; tragically, it destroys his defence.
He sees that private vengeance drives the accusations, and he denounces the court.
To denounce McCarthyism and the HUAC hearings, where people were asked to name names.
He refuses to lose his name and to betray the others who die innocent.
A collective accusation without proof, for example an online pile-on.
Question forms: ask the question
Write the question that matches each answer. The underlined words are the answer.