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Salem Witch Trials Trivia Quiz

Just a little trivia about America's famous witch-hunt of the 1690s.

A multiple-choice quiz by Susieq65610. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Susieq65610

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
70,048

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
1457

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was the first accused witch to be hanged? Hint

Elizabeth Howe

Martha Corey

Bridget (Sarah) Bishop

Martha Carrier

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1692 how many were accused of practicing witchcraft? Hint

200

100

225

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which judge of the trials was eventually accused of witchcraft himself? Hint

Samuel Sewall

Jonathan Corwin

Nathaniel Saltonstall

William Sergeant

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Question 4 of 10

4. When accused of being a witch by the Reverand Noyes, who replied, 'I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life God will give you blood to drink.'? Hint

Rebecca Nurse

Sarah Good

Elizabeth Howe

Mary Easty

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the accused was originally found not guilty, retried and found guilty and hanged? Hint

Mary Easty

Giles Corey

Elizabeth Howe

Rebecca Nurse

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Question 6 of 10

6. What fortune telling trick had Tittuba taught the Parris girls which ultimately led to the beginning of all the hysteria regarding witchcraft? Hint

dropping an egg into vinegar

dropping an egg into warm water

dropping egg whites into warm water

dropping egg whites into vinegar

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. How many of the accused were hanged? Hint

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Modern day scientists believe there is a possibility of a physical reason for the hysteria leading to the witch-hunt. It was: Hint

foot and mouth disease

ergot fungus

dysplasia

phenycopia

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following was NOT a way of 'catching a witch'? Hint

swimming the witch

asking the witch to repeat the Lord's Prayer

pricking the witch

starving the witch

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Question 10 of 10

10. The prominent minister and scientist, Cotton Mather, supported the necessity of the 'witch trials' even long after they were over. True or False?

Answer: (One Word - True or False, t or f)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the first accused witch to be hanged?

Answer: Bridget (Sarah) Bishop

Bridget Bishop was accused of witchcraft earlier in her life by her third husband. It is believed that Bridget was, in all probability, a practicing witch.

2. In 1692 how many were accused of practicing witchcraft?

Answer: 200

America's only massive witch-hunt was unusual in the fact that it was much shorter and more localized than its European counterpart.

3. Which judge of the trials was eventually accused of witchcraft himself?

Answer: Nathaniel Saltonstall

Nathaniel Saltonstall removed himself from the bench after Bridget Bishop's execution. Months later he was accused along with several other prominent citizens. This was one of the factors that led to the decline of the witch-hunt.

4. When accused of being a witch by the Reverand Noyes, who replied, 'I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life God will give you blood to drink.'?

Answer: Sarah Good

When the Reverend lay dying years later, he choked on his own blood.

5. Which of the accused was originally found not guilty, retried and found guilty and hanged?

Answer: Rebecca Nurse

During her first trial, thirty-nine of her neighbors signed petitions stating they did not believe she was a witch. This included Jonathan and Edward Putman. They were the two who had originally sworn the complaint against her.

6. What fortune telling trick had Tittuba taught the Parris girls which ultimately led to the beginning of all the hysteria regarding witchcraft?

Answer: dropping egg whites into warm water

The theory was that you would see your true love's face after dropping the egg white into warm water. Betty Parris thought she saw her coffin. She became hysterical upon seeing this causing the community great concern that the devil was afoot.

7. How many of the accused were hanged?

Answer: 19

Giles Coery was crushed to death for refusing to plead guilty or not guilty. In September of 1692 eight more were hanged. All others convicted were released from jail over a period of time.

8. Modern day scientists believe there is a possibility of a physical reason for the hysteria leading to the witch-hunt. It was:

Answer: ergot fungus

Ergot fungus grows on rye wheat. It is unaffected by freezing temperatures and is passed into the body through bread made from the wheat or milk from cows that eat the wheat. It causes damage to the central nervous system. It is more or less severe depending on the consumption.

9. Which of the following was NOT a way of 'catching a witch'?

Answer: starving the witch

To drag a person through water while tied up is considered 'swimming the witch'. If the person floats they are considered to be a witch. If they do not, they aren't a witch but they are usually drowned. A witch would be unable to repeat the Lord's Prayer correctly since it was thought that she regularly said it backwards.

It was thought that the devil sucked the witches blood through it. 'Pricking the witch' is when someone rubs the skin on the face of the accused and then pricks it. If no feeling is displayed the accused is considered a witch.

10. The prominent minister and scientist, Cotton Mather, supported the necessity of the 'witch trials' even long after they were over. True or False?

Answer: False

Mather heartily approved of the trials initially. Later, he reversed his opinion.

Source: Author Susieq65610

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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