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.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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

• unfair behavior

• rational behavior

• curious behavior

• reckless behavior

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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."

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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.

Tags

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)

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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