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Vocabulary:
- Puritan = religious group with strict rules
- Sinful = against God’s rules
- Suspicious = not trusting someone
Story:
Salem Village, Massachusetts, 1692. This is a small Puritan farming community. People work long days and attend church every week. Puritans believe the Devil is real and always watching. Anyone who behaves in a strange or sinful way may be influenced by evil.
Life in the village is stressful. Many families have lost loved ones to sickness and hunger. There have also been attacks from enemies. Food and money are limited, and neighbors sometimes argue about land or power. These worries make people feel afraid and suspicious.
When people are scared, they can make quick and unfair decisions. Soon, something shocking will happen in this community.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Why do Puritans follow strict rules?
- To impress powerful neighbors
- Because they believe the Devil is real and dangerous
- To avoid paying church taxes
- Because English law required it
2. What problems already exist in the village?
- Earthquakes and floods destroying homes
- Sickness, hunger, attacks, and arguments over land/power
- Too many visiting merchants causing noise
- A shortage of church buildings