Singapore O-Level Drama (SEAB 2299) acting and performance skills quiz: voice, body, focus, presence, status and characterisation quiz

Pitch, pace, pause, volume, tone, clarity, emphasis

Posture, gait, gesture, eye contact

Levels, proxemics, blocking

Lighting, sound, set, costume

Because loud acting is always best

Because the same words mean different things depending on delivery, so choices must be controlled, not accidental

Because clarity is unimportant on stage

Because the voice cannot show character

Loud, fast, surprising

Symmetrical, slow, repeated

Consistent, readable from the seats, and truthful

Comic, large, frequent

Because the audience cannot hear the dialogue

Because only the face can show emotion

Because movement replaces the need for character

Because a shift in posture, tension and energy lets the audience see an inner change happen in real time

The energy and commitment that make a performer compelling and watchable

Simply being the loudest actor

Standing in the centre of the stage

Having the most lines

Speaking as quickly as possible

Sustaining attention and staying in character from entrance to exit, including when silent or in the background

Looking directly at the audience throughout

Memorising the whole script

A character's fixed social rank

The order in which actors bow

Playable, relative power in the moment, shown through physical and vocal choices

The number of costumes a character wears

Avoided eye contact, closed posture, fidgety movement, quiet voice

Facing away from the other characters

Constant rapid pacing and shouting

Steady eye contact, upright open posture, stillness, controlled movement, calm unhurried voice

Because status shifts are believable only when performers watch and respond to each other, not when switched on mechanically

Because status only matters for the lead role

Because actors should ignore each other

Because relationships have no effect on status

A long list of unusual habits

A person grounded in specific given circumstances and driven by wants, with a truthful inner life and consistent choices

Frequent costume changes

Speaking in an exaggerated accent

It is unnecessary if the actor is talented

It is only for learning lines

It secures and enlivens the choices so they feel lived rather than imposed

It removes spontaneity from the performance

Because actors should stay silent

Because the audience cannot tell whether an actor is listening

Because hearing cues is the only reason to listen

Because acting is reacting: genuinely receiving and being affected by others makes performance truthful and alive

By playing wants as if for the first time, responding to small variations each run, and staying fully present

By changing the lines every performance

By performing as fast as possible

By ignoring the other performers to stay focused

Stop and start the scene again

Stay in character, improvise a cover within the world of the play, and support the other performer

Point out the mistake to the audience

Leave the stage until it is fixed

Because it lets the actor stop concentrating

Because it makes the performance identical every time

Because once the structure and choices are secure, attention is freed to listen and respond truthfully

Because it removes the need for a director

Because subtlety has no place in drama

Because the back row is the only audience that matters

Because larger choices are always more truthful

Because a choice only earns its effect if the whole audience can perceive it