Understanding Historical Contexts

1. 1. PART A: Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

• Historical witch hunts occurred a long time ago and are unlikely to repeat in the modern day.

• To this day, the Salem witch trials are considered the most extreme example of violent hysteria targeted at a specific group of people.

• The unreasonable fear that drove the events of Salem makes it a unique and distinct example, contrasting other witch hunts in history.

• While witch hunts may feel like a rare occurrence, such incidents are not uncommon in history, especially when people are fearful or frustrated.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

2. 2. PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the central idea of this passage (the answer to Part A?)

• "In less than a year, over 200 individuals were accused of witchcraft, 20 of whom were executed." (Paragraph 5)

• "The Salem episode was a historic landmark but by no means a rare example of behavior that can afflict frightened, angry, or frustrated people" (Paragraph 13)

• "All three happened under extremely tense and stressful circumstances caused by global events: World War II and by the Cold War." (Paragraph 19)

• "In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed a commission to investigate whether the decision to put Japanese Americans into internment camps had been justified." (Paragraph 32)

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

PART A: What is the meaning of "iniquity" as used in paragraph 5?

• unfair behavior

• rational behavior

• curious behavior

• reckless behavior

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

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CCSS.RI.8.4

PART B: Which detail from paragraph 5 best supports the meaning of the word "iniquity"?

• "The charges by these youngsters spread like wildfire"

• "The Salem witch trials that followed are the subject of Miller's play."

• "the tragic proceedings have become synonymous with justice gone mad"

• "20 of whom were executed."

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

5. 5. PART A: What do the three conflicts in America have in common?

• They were supported by reason and evidence.

• They were resolved with relatively few consequences.

• They were all the result of racist agendas and policies.

• They were all driven by fear during a time of crisis.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

6. 6. PART B: Which detail best supports the answer to Part A? (question 5: what do the three conflicts have in common)?

• "In the United States, groundless fears, prejudices and demagoguery produced three notable events that echoed the Salem trials." (Paragraph 19)

• "To prevent the rise of such an 'enemy within' during the war, state and local authorities along the West Coast removed over 110,000 Japanese Americans from their homes" (Paragraph 21)

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

7. 7. How does the structure of Mike Kubic's article support the central idea of his claim?