2025 AQA GCSE DRAMA Component 1 Understanding Drama
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) May 2025 [VERIFIED]
GCSE
DRAMA
Component 1 Understanding Drama
Thursday 8 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
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.
IB/M/Jun25/G4003/E13 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.
Figure 1
0 1 What type of staging is shown in Figure 1?
A Promenade stage
B Thrust stage
C Traverse stage
[1 mark]
0 2 What is the stage positioning of the actor in Figure 1?
A Downstage centre
B Upstage centre
C Upstage left
[1 mark]
, 3
0 3 Who has responsibility for health and safety on stage during a performance?
A The Director
B The Stage Manager
C The Theatre Manager
[1 mark]
0 4 Which of the following is correct when you are using a Proscenium Arch Stage?
A The audience face each other during the performance.
B The actors can only enter through the auditorium during the performance.
C The curtains can open and close during the performance.
[1 mark]
Turn over for Section B
, 4
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
Question Paper & Mark Scheme (Merged) May 2025 [VERIFIED]
GCSE
DRAMA
Component 1 Understanding Drama
Thursday 8 May 2025 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book
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.
IB/M/Jun25/G4003/E13 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.
Figure 1
0 1 What type of staging is shown in Figure 1?
A Promenade stage
B Thrust stage
C Traverse stage
[1 mark]
0 2 What is the stage positioning of the actor in Figure 1?
A Downstage centre
B Upstage centre
C Upstage left
[1 mark]
, 3
0 3 Who has responsibility for health and safety on stage during a performance?
A The Director
B The Stage Manager
C The Theatre Manager
[1 mark]
0 4 Which of the following is correct when you are using a Proscenium Arch Stage?
A The audience face each other during the performance.
B The actors can only enter through the auditorium during the performance.
C The curtains can open and close during the performance.
[1 mark]
Turn over for Section B
, 4
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
