ALEXANDER ROAD HIGH SCHOOL
GRADE 8 CREATIVE ARTS: DRAMA
NAME: __________________________________________
JUNE 2021
CLASS: _________
TOTAL: 50 MARKS
UN/GE
TIME: ½ HR
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Read the instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. Answer ALL questions.
2. All answers should be written on this ANSWER SHEET.
3. Write NEATLY and LEGIBLY.
4. Break a leg!
SECTION A – MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
Choose the best or correct answer from the possible answers given in each question.
CIRCLE the letter (A-D) of the correct answer.
1.1
An example of a social issue is …
A
B
C
D
1.2
work as an ensemble.
act as yourself.
come up with an improvisation.
act as someone other than yourself.
(1)
A dialogue is …
A
B
C
D
1.4
(1)
When in character you …
A
B
C
D
1.3
Recycling
Poverty
Pollution
All of the above
a solo performance for an audience.
a spoken conversation between two or more characters.
an expression of the character’s feelings.
a form of physical communication.
(1)
The most exciting, highest point or most dramatic moment in a play is
the …
A
B
C
D
point of the play
inflection
climax
dramatic pause
(1)
CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA – GRADE 8
(JUNE 2021-UN/GE)
1.5
Elements of good ensemble work are…
A
B
C
D
1.6
one actor stands in front of another on stage.
you stop someone from texting you.
talking over someone else in an improvisation.
the director plans where each character moves in a performance.
(1)
gives meaning to a line.
is a short break in your speech for your character to think.
needs to be taken in the correct place to take a deep breath.
All of the above.
(1)
The act of inventing, making up and performing with little or no preparation
is known as …
A
B
C
D
1.9
(1)
A pause …
A
B
C
D
1.8
knowing the point of focus
brainstorming ideas together
being on time for rehearsals
all of the above
The theatre term blocking is when …
A
B
C
D
1.7
2 of 6
performance
acting
characterisation
improvisation
(1)
A tableau is a …
A
B
C
D
a type of stage prop.
a good way to begin and end an improvisation or choral verse.
freeze frame image on stage of live actors.
B and C
(1)
1.10 Warm-up routines should …
A
B
C
D
be fun and keep the performer focused.
not be done if dancing is not going to be strenuous.
should relax the body and remove all unnecessary tension.
A and C
(1)
(10)
(JUNE 2021-UN/GE)
3 of 6
CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA– GRADE 8
QUESTION 2 – Choral Verse performances
Study the source material below and answer the questions that follow:
The Chorus of Ancient Greek
Although in the early days the chorus was much
larger, the number of members settled down to 12
or 15 in tragedies and 24 in comedies. They
usually play a group character, such as 'the old
men' or citizens of a town. The chorus would sing,
dance, play musical instruments as well as acted
as narrators of the play. These narrators offered
background information on the story, summaries
of scenes and advice to the protagonist (leading
character). In many of these plays, the chorus
expresses to the audience what the main
characters cannot say, such as their hidden fears
or secrets.
The chorus is an ensemble which sings, or might speaks verse in unison (say the same
thing together). The chorus made up for the fact that there were only one, two or three
actors, who played several parts each. These actors played several roles by changing
masks.
Before the introduction of several actors by Aeschylus, the father of tragedy, the Greek
chorus was the main performer opposite a solo actor. The importance of the chorus declined
after the 5th century BCE. Later playwrights depended less on the chorus. Today choral
verse performance style of Ancient Greece has made a comeback giving young people an
opportunity to perform in an ensemble and have the experience without feeling the anxiety
of a solo performance. Working in an ensemble has many benefits for young people when
learning life lessons.
(source: kids.kiddle.co/Theatre_of_ancient_Greece)
2.1
Name the father of Greek tragedy.
(1)
2.2
Explain what is meant by choral verse.
(2)
2.3
List the main functions of the chorus in a performance.
(4)
(JUNE 2021-UN/GE)
2.4
CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA – GRADE 8
4 of 6
Explain the role the narrators played in the performance of the Greek
tragedy.
(3)
2.5
Give a definition for the term ensemble.
(1)
2.6
The writer of the article in the source claims that working in an ensemble has
benefits to young people.
Write a paragraph either supporting the writer’s view or arguing against it.
Use your experiences of working in an ensemble during your Term 1 and 2
practical performances to justify your answer.
(4)
QUESTION 3 – Improvisation as a means of storytelling
3.1
List TWO elements which you believe make for a good story or performance.
(2)
3.2
List THREE guidelines or rules for creating a successful improvisation.
(3)
3.3
Provide TWO reasons why grade 8 learners should learn to improvise.
(2)
3.4
Explain how you could use a soundscape to improve your group
performance. Give an example.
(2)
(JUNE 2021-UN/GE)
3.5
5 of 6
CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA– GRADE 8
Peer assessment is important in all work completed. State what you should
always keep in mind before assessing the work of a peer.
(1)
3.6
Write a short paragraph reflecting on your group improvisation performance
this term. Reflect on any ONE of the following:
 the success of the process you followed
 the ensemble etiquette and how well they worked together
 the successes/pitfalls of your improvisation on performance day
(5)
TOTAL SECTION A:
[40]
SECTION B – PRACTICAL WORK AND REFLECTIONS
QUESTION 4
Study the following statement and image depicting good posture.
4.1
The above posture is considered to be an example of neutral posture.
Explain how you achieve a neutral posture.
(3)
(JUNE 2021-UN/GE)
4.2
CREATIVE ARTS DRAMA – GRADE 8
6 of 6
List TWO benefits of good posture for an actor.
(2)
4.4
You have been placed in a group of learners whom you do not know.
Describe TWO exercise or game that would help your new ensemble with
any of the following:




Breaking the ice
Warming up the body
Warming up focus and concentration
Warming up the voice and breath control
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
(5)
TOTAL SECTION B:
[10]
GRAND TOTAL:
[50]