EXEMPLAR EXAMINATION
GRADE 11
DRAMATIC ARTS
NOVEMBER 2011
MEMORANDUM
MARKS: 150
TIME: 3 hours
This memorandum consists of 10 pages.
This Question Paper is the intellectual property of Karen Nelsen and St. Cyprians Girls High. You may
use this paper or individual questions from it, to examine your grade 11 learners for the end -of-Year
examination (November) - written section -task 7. But you must acknowledge ownership of the
content. Thank you Karen for sharing your excellent work with the educators.
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION TO CANDIDATES
1.
You have been allocated TEN minutes reading time before the
start of the examination.
2.
Read through the paper carefully before answering questions.
3.
This question paper consists of TWO sections.
4.
SECTION A consists of THREE questions:



QUESTION 1: Essay Question: A Doll’s House
QUESTION 2: Realism and Modified Realism
QUESTION 3: Elizabethan Theatre
Answer ALL the questions from SECTION A.
5.
SECTION B consists of THREE questions. QUESTIONS 4, 5 and 6 are
COMPULSORY.
6.
Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system
used in this question paper.
7.
Pay attention to the number of marks allocated to each question.
8.
Present your answers clearly and neatly and leave a marking column on the
right hand side of your answer sheets.
9.
While classroom knowledge can be used to answer the questions,
independent and creative thinking will be to your advantage.
10.
Write neatly and legibly.
2
SECTION A: UNDERSTAND AND ANALYSE
QUESTION 1: A DOLL’S HOUSE BY HENRIK IBSEN
1.1
A Doll’s House is a scathing criticism of the traditional roles of men and
women in Victorian marriage.
In an essay of 300 – 350 words, discuss the validity (truth/accuracy) of this
statement. In your discussion refer to:


The characters in the play
The subject matter of/themes in the play
(20)
1.2
Provide ONE word answers to the following questions.
Write only the word next to the question number (1.2.1 – 1.2.7) on your
answer sheet.
1.2.1 In which country is the play set?
1.2.2 At what time of year is the play set?
1.2.3 What profession did Torvald Helmer practise before becoming manager
of the bank?
1.2.4 How many children do the Helmer’s have?
1.2.5 Which character is the first to ‘complicate’ the lives of the Helmers?
1.2.6 Which character dies toward the end of the play?
1.2.7 Which set item is vital to bring the play to a dramatic ending?
1.3
Why do you think Ibsen called his play A Doll’s House?
(7)
(3)
[30]
3
QUESTION 2: REALISM AND MODIFIED REALISM
2.1
Realist playwrights modelled their play on the WELL-MADE PLAY.
2.1.1 Who perfected this set of specific conventions (guidelines/rules)
for creating a play?
(1)
2.1.2 Describe the plot structure of a WELL-MADE PLAY.
(6)
2.1.3 In which ways could the WELL-MADE PLAY be considered restrictive?
(3)
2.2
After a period of theatrical experimentation, Realism re-emerged as a
popular theatrical style in the mid twentieth century – but with some
changes, thus referred to MODIFIED REALISM.
2.2.1 What was this modified Realism called in Britain and America?
(2)
2.2.2 Identify ONE theatrical movement of the twentieth century that influenced
this new form of Realism.
(1)
2.2.3 Why were the characters in this new form of realism sometimes described
as anti-heroes?
(2)
2.3 Realist plays of the 20th century were often set on proscenium arch stages
such as the one below, using a BOX SET.
Discuss the suitability of using this kind of stage and set for staging
Realist plays.
(5)
2.4
Stanislavsky designed a System for actors to use as a guide when
preparing to perform in Realist plays. List the TEN points highlighted
by this system.
(10)
[30]
4
QUESTION 3: ELIZABETHAN THEATRE
3.1
Did Elizabethans call their theatres Playhouses or Theatrehouses ?
3.2
Provide labels for the numbered features on the illustration below.
(1)
(6)
5
3.3
Explain how the structure and configurations of private and public theatres
differed.
(3)
3.4
Match the people in column A with the appropriate job description in
column B. Write the appropriate letter from column B next to the number
from column A.
Column A
3.4.1 Stagekeepers
3.4.2 Housekeepers
3.4.3 Bookkeepers
3.4.4 Tiremen
3.4.5 Gatherers
Column B
A
Looked after the
companies costumes.
B
Collected the audience’s
payments in a box.
C
Stage hands.
D
Theatre owners.
E
In charge of the production
‘book’.
(5)
3.5
Discuss a typical production of ONE of Shakespeare’s plays in a
public theatre. In your discussion refer to the following:
 The actors and their acting style
 Costumes
 Staging (sets and props)
 Special effects (music; scenic)
 Actor/audience relationship
(5 x 3) (15)
[30]
TOTAL SECTION A: [90]
6
SECTION B: APPLY PERSONAL RESOURCES AND REFLECT AND
EVALUATE
QUESTION 4:
Read the extract from the denoument (resolution) of A Doll’s House.
Imagine that you have been cast as Nora in a production of the play and answer
the questions that follow.
TORVALD: Oh, you’re talking and thinking like a stupid child.
NORA: Perhaps…But you don’t talk or think like the man I could bind myself
to. When your first panic was over – not about what threatened me,
but about what might happen to you – and when there was no more
danger, then, as far as you were concerned, it was just as if nothing
had happened at all. I was simply your little songbird, your doll, and
from now on you would handle it more gently than ever because it
was so delicate and fragile. [Rising] At that moment, Torvald, I
realized that for eight years I’d been living here with a strange man,
and that I’d borne him three children. Oh, I can’t bear to think of it –
I could tear myself to little pieces!
4.1
1
5
10
List the first FIVE steps of a thorough vocal warm-up used to prepare for
rehearsals and performances?
(5)
4.2
Identify ONE effect that tension would have on your voice.
(1)
4.3
Explain why you would use intercostal diaphragmatic breathing when
speaking this text.
(3)
You have lines of varied length to speak. Name one exercise that you
could use to develop breath support and control.
(1)
4.5
What do the three dots (…) in line 2 indicate?
(1)
4.6
‘you’ in line 4 is written in italics. What clue for vocal interpretation
does that give you?
(1)
4.4
7
4.7
Nora rises in line 8 of the text, indicating a change of mood
and intention.
Discuss how you would speak/deliver the lines that Nora speaks once
she has risen (from “At that moment…”)? In your discussion consider:






Context
Content
Sentence structure
The thoughts of the speaker
The emotional state of the speaker
The speaker’s intention
Please ensure that you provide justified reasons for your choices.
(8)
[20]
QUESTION 5:
5.1 .
Identify the choreographic tools associated with the following terminology:
5.1.1
Jump; twist; gesture; travel
5.1.2
Time (fast or slow); Space (curved and straight); Weight (heavy and light) (1)
5.2
Examine the source material on the following page.
With reference to the source material, discuss the power of GESTURE
and FACIAL EXPRESSION in Physical Theatre performances.
(1)
8
.
SOURCE A
Lionel Newton and Andrew Buckland
in FEEDBACK
SOURCE B
Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane
(2x3)
5.3
5.4
Describe ONE exercise that will prepare the body for performance
in a movement or physical theatre piece.
(6)
(4)
In Term 1 you created physical theatre pieces inspired by Dr Seuss
stories. Explain, in some detail, the process that your group used to create
your movement piece and evaluate the success of your chosen process.
You may use any of the following forms to explain your process:
A written explanation OR
A mind map OR
A flow chart OR
A storyboard
(8)
[20]
9
QUESTION 6:
You performed either a scene (with a partner) or a monologue for your
mid-year practical examination.
6.1
6.2
6.3
EXPLAIN how you selected the piece that you chose to perform and
EVALUATE whether or not you thought it was an appropriate choice.
(5)
Which character did you play in your scene/monologue and what did
you do to ensure a realistic portrayal of your character?
(4)
Explain how you used any TWO of the following staging elements
to capture the style of Realism in your performance?



6.4
Set
Props
Costume
(2 x 3)
What do you feel are the most important elements to consider when
Preparing for a practical examination.
(6)
(5)
[20]
TOTAL SECTION B: 60
GRAND TOTAL: 150
10