2024_AQA-GCSE Drama – Component 1: Understanding Drama (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 9 May 2024

2024_AQA-GCSE Drama – Component 1: Understanding Drama (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 9 May 2024 Thursday 9 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have: • an AQA 12-page answer book Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes • a copy of the set play you have studied. This play must not be annotated and must not contain additional notes. Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen. • Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The reference for this paper is 8261/W. • Answer all questions in Section A. • Answer one question in Section B. Answer all parts to this question as instructed. • Answer one question in Section C. • You must answer on different plays for Section B and Section C. • Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. Information • The total number of marks available for this paper is 80. • The marks for each question are shown in brackets. • Section A carries 4 marks. Section B carries 44 marks. Section C carries 32 marks. • All questions require answers in continuous prose. However, where appropriate, you could support your answers with sketches and/or diagrams. • You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. GCSE Drama: Component 1 - Understanding Drama The GCSE Drama Component 1: Understanding Drama exam is scheduled for May 2025.This component tests students' understanding of drama texts and their ability to analyze and evaluate dramatic performances. It focuses on appreciating and analyzing plays, theatrical techniques, and the role of various aspects of production, such as acting, design, and direction. Key Areas Covered: 1. Knowledge of a Set Text  Students will need to study one set play in depth. Common plays used in GCSE Drama include works such as: o "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestley o "Blood Brothers" by Willy Russell o "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare o "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller o "The History Boys" by Alan Bennett  Key Aspects to Focus On: o Plot: The storyline, key events, and turning points. o Characters: The main characters, their development, motivations, and relationships. o Themes: The key themes explored in the play (e.g., social class, justice, power, love, etc.). o Context: The historical, social, and cultural context of the play and how it influences the characters and events. o Language: The playwright's use of language, including symbolism, metaphors, and stage directions. 2. Theatrical Terminology and Techniques  Dramatic Techniques: Students should be familiar with various techniques used in drama, such as: o Stage directions (e.g., blocking, pacing, use of space). o Lighting, sound, and set design: How these elements enhance the mood, themes, and atmosphere. o Costume and props: Their role in character development and setting the scene. o Acting techniques: How actors use voice, body language, facial expressions, and movement to bring characters to life.  Performing Arts Terms: Understanding key drama terms such as monologue, soliloquy, aside, chorus, and prologue. 3. Analysis of a Live Theatre Production  Students will be required to analyze a live theatre performance they have seen. They should be able to evaluate how the production used dramatic techniques to create impact, including: o Acting: The performances of the actors, including characterization, expression, and delivery of lines. o Design Elements: The use of set, costumes, lighting, and sound in enhancing the performance. o Directorial Choices: How the director interpreted the script and how the production choices (e.g., staging, blocking) impacted the overall performance. o Audience Response: The effect of the performance on the audience and how the director and actors achieved this. 4. Evaluation of Drama  Evaluating Performance: Students should demonstrate the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of performances. This involves looking at: o Impact: How the performance made them feel, and the themes or messages conveyed. o Strengths and Weaknesses: Analyzing what worked well in the production and what could have been improved. o Interpretation: How the director’s and actors’ interpretations of the text influenced the performance.  Critical Responses: Students should be able to support their evaluations with specific examples from the production, using drama terminology accurately. 5. Understanding the Role of the Practitioner  Playwright’s Intentions: Understanding the role of the playwright in crafting a play, creating characters, and exploring themes.  The Role of the Director: How the director shapes the vision of the play, from casting to staging.  The Role of Designers and Technicians: How designers contribute to the atmosphere through set design, lighting, sound, and costume.  The Role of Actors: How actors bring characters to life and convey meaning through performance. IB/G/Jun24/G4001/E9 8261/W 2 Section A: Theatre roles and terminology Answer all questions in this section. For each question, you should write the question number and the letter that is next to the correct answer in your answer book. Only one answer per question is allowed. 0 1 In the professional theatre, which team is responsible for keeping the prompt copy? A Front of House B Actors C Stage Management [1 mark] Figure 1 0 2 What type of staging is shown in Figure 1? A Thrust B Theatre in the Round C Proscenium Arch [1 mark] IB/G/Jun24/8261/W 3 0 3 What is the stage position of the actor in Figure 1? A Centre stage B Downstage right C Upstage left [1 mark] 0 4 What is an advantage of using a traverse stage? A All of the audience have a similar view of the action. B The audience feels more involved as they are closer to the action. C Backdrops can be used, as there is no audience on one side of the stage. [1 mark] Turn over for Section B Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/8261/W 4 There are no questions printed on this page IB/G/Jun24/8261/W 5 Section B: Study of set play You should answer the one question that relates to the set play you have studied. Only answer on one set play. If you have studied: Answer: Go to: The Crucible Question 5 Page 6 Blood Brothers Question 6 Page 8 Around the World in 80 Days Question 7 Page 10 Things I Know To Be True Question 8 Page 12 Noughts & Crosses Question 9 Page 14 Romeo and Juliet Question 10 Page 16 A Taste of Honey Question 11 Page 18 The Empress Question 12 Page 20 The Great Wave Question 13 Page 22 Turn over for the next question Turn over ► IB/G/Jun24/8261/W 6 The Crucible Read the following extract and answer Question 5 on page 7. From Act One Hale Abigail, what sort of dancing were you doing with her in the forest? Abigail Why – common dancing is all. Parris I think I ought to say that I – I saw a kettle in the grass where they were dancing. Abigail That were only soup. Hale What sort of soup were in this kettle, Abigail? Abigail Why, it were beans – and lentils, I think, and – Hale Mr Parris, you did not notice, did you, any living thing in the kettle? A mouse, perhaps, Parris a spider, a frog –? (fearfully) I – do believe there were some movement – in the soup. Abigail That jumped in, we never put it in! Hale (quickly) What jumped in? Abigail Why, a very little frog jumped – Parris A frog, Abby! Hale (grasping ABIGAIL) Abigail, it may be your cousin is dying. Did you call the Devil last Abigail night? I never called him! Tituba, Tituba … Parris (blanched) She called the Devil? Hale I should like to speak with Tituba. Parris Goody Ann, will you bring her up? (MRS PUTNAM exits) Hale How did she call him? Abigail I know not – she spoke Barbados. Hale Did you feel any strangeness when she called him? A sudden cold wind, perhaps? A Abigail trembling below the ground? I didn’t see no Devil! (Shaking BETTY) Betty, wake up. Betty! Betty! Hale You cannot evade me, Abigail. Did your cousin drink any of the brew in that kettle? Abigail She never drank it. Hale Did you drink it? Abigail No, sir. Hale Did Tituba ask you to drink it? Abigail She tried, but I refused. Hale Why are you concealing? Have you sold yourself to Lucifer? Abigail I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl! Abigail MRS PUTNAM enters with TITUBA, and instantly ABIGAIL points at TITUBA. She made me do it! She made Betty do it! Tituba (shocked and angry) Abby! Abigail She makes me drink blood! Parris Blood!! IB/G/Jun24/8261/W 7 Question 5: The Cru