Primary Source Text Salem Village, March 1, 1692
Examination transcript (Q&A)

Examination of Sarah Good (two excerpts)

Excerpt A (Judge’s questions and Sarah Good’s answers):

(H.) Sarah Good what evil spirit have you familiarity with (S G) none (H) have you made no contract with the devil, (g) good answered no (H) why doe you hurt these children (g) I doe not hurt them. I scorn it. (H) who doe you imploy then to doe it (g) I imploy no body, (H) what creature do you imploy then, (g) no creature but I am falsely accused.

Excerpt B (Accusations and the author’s note about her manner):

…The children being all present positively accused her… upon which they ware all dredfully tortred & tormented for a short space of tyme… and the affliction and torters being over they charged s'd Sarah Good againe that she had then soe tortered them… her answers were in a very wicked, spitfull manner reflecting and retorting aganst the authority…

Note: Spelling and punctuation reflect the historical transcript.

Comprehension Tabs
Question view mode

All questions refer to Excerpt A and Excerpt B on the left. Answer choices are similar in length.

1. What is the main purpose of this transcript excerpt?

Focus on the judge’s repeated questions and the accusation being investigated.

2. Which detail from Excerpt A shows Sarah Good’s strongest denial?

Look for the clearest line where she refuses the accusation.

3. In Excerpt B, what happens when the children accuse Sarah Good “face to face”?

This question targets a specific detail from Excerpt B.

4. Which accusation does the judge repeat in Excerpt A?

Pay attention to the repeated wording in the judge’s questions.

Answer one tab or multiple tabs, then click Submit Answers.