Which of the following behaviors preceded the Salem Witch Trials?
Select one:
A. Girls spoke gibberish.
B. Boys played tricks on one another.
C. Parents started yelling at their children.
D. Children started yelling at their parents.
Answer (3)
B. If you tricked anyone, it would have been considered the work of witchcraft.
The behaviors that preceded the Salem Witch Trials included girls having fits, in which they exhibited behaviors such as screaming, throwing things, making strange sounds, crawling under furniture, and contorting themselves into peculiar positions. These actions began with Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail Williams in Salem Village, now known as Danvers, Massachusetts. There was no physical evidence of any ailment found, and the strange behaviors were believed to be beyond the power of natural disease to effect, leading to suspicions of witchcraft. The intense questioning of the girls led to the first accusations, including against Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne, who were seen as outcasts and fit the profile of typical suspects for witchcraft accusations.
The behavior that preceded the Salem Witch Trials involved girls in Salem Village, particularly Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, exhibiting strange fits and claiming to be tormented by witches. This behavior triggered widespread accusations of witchcraft in the community. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Girls spoke gibberish.
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