In February the AQA uploaded a document releasing advanced information relating to the upcoming written exam. This article will discuss provide some possible exam questions and link you to further articles to help students to revise. The image below provides a snapshot of the information that the AQA provided. You can find the original document here.
*Please note that I am in no way affiliated with AQA and any information I provide in this article is purely speculation. Revision questions have been sourced from past paper questions, re-wording of past paper questions or other teachers who have designed these questions for revision purposes and in no way limits the type(s) of question there may be on the exam this year. These questions should be used as a starting point for revision, and not as an exhaustive list.*
Lady Jane
Lady Jane is a unique episode from Rooster, with a very distinct mood and theme which stands out from other sections, and I think this is why it was chosen as one of only four sections to be discussed on this years exam. It offers great examples of motif development in relation to the treatment of women in the 1960’s. There will be a revision page just on Lady Jane linked here very shortly.
- Describe two examples of the choreographic use of the dancers in Lady Jane. (PPQ 2018) [4 marks]
- Explain how the movement material in the second dance ‘Lady Jane’ relates to the specific themes of this dance. [5 marks]
- Explain how the aural accompaniment supports the intention of the second dance, Lady Jane. [5 marks]
- Describe two motifs which reflect social dance in Lady Jane. [4 marks]
- Identify two choreographic devices in Lady Jane. [2 marks]
- Explain how the choreographic devices used in Lady Jane support the choreographic intention of the section. [5 marks]
- Explain how the choice of costume in Lady Jane supports the themes of the work. [5 marks]
- Discuss the choreographic use of spacing in Lady Jane. [5 marks]
As Tears Go By
As Tears Go By is another distinct section which specifically provides evidence for groupings and relationships. It has been a popular choice for questioning in previous years. There will be a revision page just on As Tears Go By linked here very shortly.
- Explain how the choreography of As Tears Go By shows the themes of rejection and isolation. (PPQ 2018) [5 marks]
- Explain how the movement content in the fourth dance As Tears Go By communicates features of children’s behaviour. (PPQ 2020) [5 marks]
- State two choreographic devices that are used within ‘As Tears Go By’ [2 marks]
- Analyse the roles of the female dancers in As Tears Go By [6 marks]
- Describe the transition from the dance ‘As Tears Go By’ into the next dance ‘Paint It Black’. [2 marks]
- Explain the relationship between the music and the movement in As Tears Go By. Consider the choreographic intention of the section. [5 marks]
- Discuss how Christopher Bruce’s choice of dancers support the idea of adolescent anxieties. [6 marks]
- Discuss the relationship between the lone female and lone male dancers in As Tears Go By. [6 marks]
- Explain how the lyrics of As Tears Go By supports the themes of the section. [5 marks]
Paint It Black
Paint It Black provides great energy and a range of interpretative themes through the contrast of the male soloist with the female trio. It offers specific evidence for Bruce’s dance style, context of the 60’s and direct correlation. There will be a revision page just on Paint It Black linked here very shortly.
- Explain how the choreographic use of space in Paint It Black communicates the mood. (PPQ 2019) [5 marks]
- Explain how the movement material in the dance ‘Paint It Black’ references the 60s [5 marks]
- Describe the spatial features in Paint It Black. Discuss how this links to the 1960’s. [4 marks]
- Explain how the role of the male is portrayed in the dance ‘Paint It Black’. [5 marks]
- Explain the choreographic use of the female dancers and their purpose to the subject matter of Paint It Black. [5 marks]
- Describe two examples of contact work in Paint It Black. [4 marks]
- Identify two choreographic devices used in Paint It Black. [2 marks]
- Explain how Bruce’s use of choreographic devices in Paint It Black supports the intention of the work. [5 marks]
- Explain how the costume in Paint It Black supports the intention of the work. [5 marks]
Play With Fire
Play With Fire offers a duet with the addition of a prop and fantastic evidence for music visualisation. There will be a revision page just on Play With Fire linked here very shortly.
- Explain how the lyrics of the song Play With Fire are reflected in the movement content. (PPQ 2019) [5 marks]
- Describe two movement phrases performed by the male dancer in the dance ‘Play With Fire’ [2 marks]
- Explain how one of the above movement phrases relates to the specific themes of the dance ‘Play With Fire’ [4 marks]
- Explain how the movement material and use of relationships in the dance ‘Play with Fire’ relates to the specific themes of the piece. [4 marks]
- Discuss how Bruce references the context of the 60’s through the features of Play With Fire. [6 marks]
- Explain how the design of the dancers’ costumes in Play With Fire reference fashion of the 1960s. [5 marks]
- Explain how Bruce uses spatial elements to portray the relationships between the two characters in Play With Fire. [5 marks]
- Provide one example of direct correlation in Play With Fire. [4 marks]
- Explain how the use of costume plays a part in the social class divide between the two characters in Play With Fire. [4 marks]
The set work ‘Rooster’ and one other work by Christopher Bruce
It makes sense to me that this would be in the form of a 6 mark question, based on previous years exam structure.
- Discuss the starting points which Christopher Bruce uses for the choreography of his dance works. (PPQ 2020) [6 marks]
- Christopher Bruce is known for his use of minimal set design. Discuss this in Rooster and one other work. [6 marks]
- Discuss Christopher Bruce’s use of aural accompaniment in Rooster and one other work. [6 marks]
- Discuss Christopher Bruce’s choice of choreographic devices within Rooster and one other work. [6 marks]
- Discuss Christopher Bruce’s tendency to focus on socio-political and historical subject matter in Rooster and one other work. [6 marks]
- Discuss the similarities and differences between the subject matter of Rooster and one other work by Christopher Bruce. [6 marks]
- Using Rooster and one other work by Christopher Bruce, discuss Bruce’s choreographic style. [6 marks]
- Compare the dance styles between Rooster and another work by Christopher Bruce. [6 marks]
- Identify one of Bruce’s influences. [1 mark]
- Discuss how this influence can be seen in Rooster and one other work by Christopher Bruce. [6 marks]
Extended Answer Questions
The dance works you have studied from the repertoire of Rambert Dance Company [25 marks]
- Discuss the variety of the dance works within the repertoire of Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) 1966-2002. An example answer to this question can be found by clicking this link.
- Discuss how the works you have studied from 1966 to 2002 reflect the features of Rambert Dance Company.
- Discuss the subject matter used in the choreography of one named practitioner of Rambert Dance Company (1966-2002) You should refer to examples from the works of the named practitioner to show how the subject matter is communicated.
- Compare the works created by two named practitioners of Rambert Dance Company (1966-2002). You should refer to a variety of works.
- Examine the stylistic features of one practitioner from the Rambert Dance Company (1966-2002) You should refer to examples from the works of the practitioner in your answer.
- Discuss the influences which affected the contribution of one practitioner you have studied from Rambert Dance Company (1966-2002). You should refer to appropriate examples from the works of the practitioner to support your answer.
- Discuss how your named practitioners of Rambert Dance Company have used aural accompaniment to experiment in their works.
- Consider how the dance works in the repertoire of Rambert Dance Company have allowed the company to continue to modernise between 1966-2002.
- Consider how the dance works you have studied in the repertoire of Rambert Dance Company 1966-2002 have stayed true to the aims and vision of Marie Rambert.
A-Level Dance Guides 