Chapter 1-Theatre, Art, and Entertainment
01. What subjects are included in the study of the humanities?
a. Literature, philosophy, religion, history, language, culture, and the various art forms.
b. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science applications.
c. Business management, economics, marketing, and financial planning strategies.
d. Engineering, technology, medicine, and scientific research methodologies.
ANS: D
02. How do algorithms affect our daily experience?
a. They provide unlimited access to diverse perspectives and encourage exploration.
b. They feed our “self” back to our “self,” trapping us in algorithmically defined tastes.
c. They randomly select content to ensure maximum variety in our information diet.
d. They eliminate all forms of entertainment and focus solely on educational content.
ANS: D
03. What are the three concepts most commonly used to define and discuss art?
a. Art as skill, art as beauty, and art as meaning.
b. Art as entertainment, art as profit, and art as decoration.
c. Art as tradition, art as rebellion, and art as communication.
d. Art as therapy, art as education, and art as social change.
ANS: D
04. Why is art inherently political, according to the chapter?
a. Artists belong to political parties and promote specific candidates during elections.
b. The creative process requires value judgments about society, existence, and the state of the world.
c. Artwork must be approved by government officials before it is publicly displayed or performed.
d. Artists receive funding from political organizations and advocacy groups.
ANS: D
05. What are the five essential qualities that all works of art share to some extent?
a. Human creation, subject, medium, structure, and reaction.
, b. Beauty, skill, meaning, purpose, and commercial value.
c. Color, texture, sound, movement, and emotional impact.
d. Creativity, originality, technique, inspiration, and audience appeal.
ANS: D
06. What makes theatre unique among all art forms?
a. Theatre is the least expensive art form to produce.
b. Theatre is the only art form which requires the medium and subject to directly mirror its audience.
c. Theatre is the only art form which directly interacts with a live audience.
d. Theatre performances can only take place in specially designed buildings with stages.
ANS: D
07. A television producer tests a new show with focus groups and rewrites scenes based on audience feedback to
increase ratings. This example best reflects which goal?
a. Artistic expression that challenges viewers to examine their beliefs and values.
b. Entertainment that adjusts content to maximize appeal.
c. Educational programming designed to inform viewers about important social issues.
d. Documentary filmmaking that presents information without bias or interpretation.
ANS: D
08. How did Plato and Aristotle differ in their views on theatre’s effect on audiences?
a. Plato believed theatre awakened the soul, while Aristotle thought it promoted vice and wickedness.
b. Plato worried theatre made people irrational and manipulated, while Aristotle believed it fortified people
therapeutically.
c. Aristotle believed that theatre should be banned from the ideal state completely, while Plato felt that it
should only be banned in times of war.
d. Plato supported unrestricted theatre, while Aristotle demanded government censorship of all plays.
ANS: D
09. What types of productions characterize the commercial theatre?
a. Plays that challenge social norms and promote radical political change.
b. Musicals, comedies, and dramas intended to be both entertaining and profitable.
c. Experimental performances that blur the lines between actors and audience members.
, d. Historical dramas that recreate the styles and themes of past theatrical periods.
ANS: D
10. A college student majoring in engineering questions why they must take humanities courses. Based on the
chapter’s arguments, what would be the best response?
a. Humanities courses are mandated by law to be included in any accredited degree programs.
b. Humanities help you grow as a complete human being and explore essential life questions.
c. Humanities courses are easier than STEM subjects and will improve your overall grade average.
d. Humanities training is necessary for all high-paying careers in the modern economy.
ANS: D
11. A student notices that their social media feed only shows posts that align with their existing political views.
This situation demonstrates which effect of algorithms described in the chapter?
a. Algorithms are designed to “beg the question” of a user, who will wonder why no alternative viewpoints
are presented.
b. Algorithms create echo chambers that limit exposure to unfamiliar ideas and perspectives.
c. Algorithms can make insecure users feel more self-confident by affirming their perspectives.
d. Algorithms are designed to deescalate any conflict which might lead to political violence.
ANS: D
12. When a sportscaster describes a basketball player as an “artist with a bounce pass,” which definition of art is
being used?
a. Art as meaning, where the player expresses their personal interpretation of existence.
b. Art as beauty, where the player creates aesthetically pleasing movements and performances.
c. Art as skill, where the player demonstrates exceptional talent and technique in their sport.
d. Art as entertainment, where the team provides enjoyable experiences for their audience.
ANS: D
13. A playwright writes a drama that questions traditional family structures and challenges audience assumptions
about marriage. This example illustrates which aspect of art’s political nature?
a. An artist will affiliate with a political party to protect them when they create a controversial work.
b. Art can reflect conflicting ideas about how society should be organized and can challenge even the most
basic societal values.
c. Family politics, rather than electoral politics, are at the heart of political theater.
, d. Artists receive funding mainly from political organizations that support their viewpoints.
ANS: D
14. Why are the snow-capped Rocky Mountains not considered art according to the chapter?
a. They lack sufficient beauty and aesthetic appeal to qualify as artistic works.
b. They are not created by humans but exist naturally without human interpretation.
c. They cannot be viewed by large enough audiences to be considered significant art.
d. They do not generate emotional reactions or responses from people who observe them.
ANS: D
15. A theatre director explains to actors that their Saturday night performance will differ from Sunday’s matinee,
even with the same script and staging. This statement reflects which unique aspect of theatre?
a. Theatre requires more rehearsal time than other performing arts to achieve consistency.
b. Theatre is live, so no two performances are ever exactly the same experience.
c. Theatre usually rotates casts, so some of the actors will be different.
d. Theatre audiences have different expectations if a performance is in the afternoon or at night.
ANS: D
16. According to the chapter, what is the fundamental difference between art and entertainment?
a. Art costs more money to produce than entertainment.
b. Artists create primarily to express themselves, while entertainers create primarily to please audiences.
c. Art requires formal training while entertainment can be created by anyone.
d. Art is serious in tone while entertainment is usually lighthearted and humorous.
ANS: D
17. A government official argues that violent plays should be banned because they might inspire audience
members to commit violent acts. This argument most closely reflects which philosopher’s view?
a. Aristotle’s belief that theatre provides therapeutic release of repressed emotions.
b. Plato’s concern that humans are imitative animals who tend to become what they imitate.
c. Socrates’ view that artistic expression should inspire benevolence, not violence.
d. Eratosthenes’ position that theatre should only charm spirits without instructing audiences.
ANS: D
18. What distinguishes cultural theatre from other types of theatre?
01. What subjects are included in the study of the humanities?
a. Literature, philosophy, religion, history, language, culture, and the various art forms.
b. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science applications.
c. Business management, economics, marketing, and financial planning strategies.
d. Engineering, technology, medicine, and scientific research methodologies.
ANS: D
02. How do algorithms affect our daily experience?
a. They provide unlimited access to diverse perspectives and encourage exploration.
b. They feed our “self” back to our “self,” trapping us in algorithmically defined tastes.
c. They randomly select content to ensure maximum variety in our information diet.
d. They eliminate all forms of entertainment and focus solely on educational content.
ANS: D
03. What are the three concepts most commonly used to define and discuss art?
a. Art as skill, art as beauty, and art as meaning.
b. Art as entertainment, art as profit, and art as decoration.
c. Art as tradition, art as rebellion, and art as communication.
d. Art as therapy, art as education, and art as social change.
ANS: D
04. Why is art inherently political, according to the chapter?
a. Artists belong to political parties and promote specific candidates during elections.
b. The creative process requires value judgments about society, existence, and the state of the world.
c. Artwork must be approved by government officials before it is publicly displayed or performed.
d. Artists receive funding from political organizations and advocacy groups.
ANS: D
05. What are the five essential qualities that all works of art share to some extent?
a. Human creation, subject, medium, structure, and reaction.
, b. Beauty, skill, meaning, purpose, and commercial value.
c. Color, texture, sound, movement, and emotional impact.
d. Creativity, originality, technique, inspiration, and audience appeal.
ANS: D
06. What makes theatre unique among all art forms?
a. Theatre is the least expensive art form to produce.
b. Theatre is the only art form which requires the medium and subject to directly mirror its audience.
c. Theatre is the only art form which directly interacts with a live audience.
d. Theatre performances can only take place in specially designed buildings with stages.
ANS: D
07. A television producer tests a new show with focus groups and rewrites scenes based on audience feedback to
increase ratings. This example best reflects which goal?
a. Artistic expression that challenges viewers to examine their beliefs and values.
b. Entertainment that adjusts content to maximize appeal.
c. Educational programming designed to inform viewers about important social issues.
d. Documentary filmmaking that presents information without bias or interpretation.
ANS: D
08. How did Plato and Aristotle differ in their views on theatre’s effect on audiences?
a. Plato believed theatre awakened the soul, while Aristotle thought it promoted vice and wickedness.
b. Plato worried theatre made people irrational and manipulated, while Aristotle believed it fortified people
therapeutically.
c. Aristotle believed that theatre should be banned from the ideal state completely, while Plato felt that it
should only be banned in times of war.
d. Plato supported unrestricted theatre, while Aristotle demanded government censorship of all plays.
ANS: D
09. What types of productions characterize the commercial theatre?
a. Plays that challenge social norms and promote radical political change.
b. Musicals, comedies, and dramas intended to be both entertaining and profitable.
c. Experimental performances that blur the lines between actors and audience members.
, d. Historical dramas that recreate the styles and themes of past theatrical periods.
ANS: D
10. A college student majoring in engineering questions why they must take humanities courses. Based on the
chapter’s arguments, what would be the best response?
a. Humanities courses are mandated by law to be included in any accredited degree programs.
b. Humanities help you grow as a complete human being and explore essential life questions.
c. Humanities courses are easier than STEM subjects and will improve your overall grade average.
d. Humanities training is necessary for all high-paying careers in the modern economy.
ANS: D
11. A student notices that their social media feed only shows posts that align with their existing political views.
This situation demonstrates which effect of algorithms described in the chapter?
a. Algorithms are designed to “beg the question” of a user, who will wonder why no alternative viewpoints
are presented.
b. Algorithms create echo chambers that limit exposure to unfamiliar ideas and perspectives.
c. Algorithms can make insecure users feel more self-confident by affirming their perspectives.
d. Algorithms are designed to deescalate any conflict which might lead to political violence.
ANS: D
12. When a sportscaster describes a basketball player as an “artist with a bounce pass,” which definition of art is
being used?
a. Art as meaning, where the player expresses their personal interpretation of existence.
b. Art as beauty, where the player creates aesthetically pleasing movements and performances.
c. Art as skill, where the player demonstrates exceptional talent and technique in their sport.
d. Art as entertainment, where the team provides enjoyable experiences for their audience.
ANS: D
13. A playwright writes a drama that questions traditional family structures and challenges audience assumptions
about marriage. This example illustrates which aspect of art’s political nature?
a. An artist will affiliate with a political party to protect them when they create a controversial work.
b. Art can reflect conflicting ideas about how society should be organized and can challenge even the most
basic societal values.
c. Family politics, rather than electoral politics, are at the heart of political theater.
, d. Artists receive funding mainly from political organizations that support their viewpoints.
ANS: D
14. Why are the snow-capped Rocky Mountains not considered art according to the chapter?
a. They lack sufficient beauty and aesthetic appeal to qualify as artistic works.
b. They are not created by humans but exist naturally without human interpretation.
c. They cannot be viewed by large enough audiences to be considered significant art.
d. They do not generate emotional reactions or responses from people who observe them.
ANS: D
15. A theatre director explains to actors that their Saturday night performance will differ from Sunday’s matinee,
even with the same script and staging. This statement reflects which unique aspect of theatre?
a. Theatre requires more rehearsal time than other performing arts to achieve consistency.
b. Theatre is live, so no two performances are ever exactly the same experience.
c. Theatre usually rotates casts, so some of the actors will be different.
d. Theatre audiences have different expectations if a performance is in the afternoon or at night.
ANS: D
16. According to the chapter, what is the fundamental difference between art and entertainment?
a. Art costs more money to produce than entertainment.
b. Artists create primarily to express themselves, while entertainers create primarily to please audiences.
c. Art requires formal training while entertainment can be created by anyone.
d. Art is serious in tone while entertainment is usually lighthearted and humorous.
ANS: D
17. A government official argues that violent plays should be banned because they might inspire audience
members to commit violent acts. This argument most closely reflects which philosopher’s view?
a. Aristotle’s belief that theatre provides therapeutic release of repressed emotions.
b. Plato’s concern that humans are imitative animals who tend to become what they imitate.
c. Socrates’ view that artistic expression should inspire benevolence, not violence.
d. Eratosthenes’ position that theatre should only charm spirits without instructing audiences.
ANS: D
18. What distinguishes cultural theatre from other types of theatre?
