AQA_2024: A-level Dance - Component 2
Critical Engagement.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
DANCE
Component 2 Critical engagement
Tuesday 21 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7237/W.
Do all rough work in the answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
In Section A, answer all questions.
In Section B, answer two questions.
Either Questions 0 7 and 0 8 or Questions 0 9 and 1 0
or Questions 1 1 and 1 2 or Questions 1 3 and 1 4 .
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
You should use examples wherever appropriate to support your explanations or argument.
Advice
You are advised to read through the questions carefully.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E5 7237/W
,For A-level Dance Component 2: Critical Engagement, you will need to focus on the following key
areas to ensure a comprehensive understanding and prepare effectively:
1. Analysis of Dance Works:
Choreographic Intent: Understand the creator’s purpose for each dance work, considering
themes, messages, and emotional expressions.
Movement Vocabulary: Be able to describe the specific movements used in the dance works,
including the use of space, time, energy, and relationship.
Performance Style: Analyze how the performers interpret and deliver the choreography,
considering physical technique, expressiveness, and alignment with the choreographer’s vision.
Staging and Production Elements: Evaluate how lighting, set design, costume, and sound
contribute to the overall effect of the work.
2. Dance in Context:
Historical Context: Be aware of the historical period and cultural influences on the work, including
how the style or genre of dance evolved over time.
Cultural and Social Influences: Understand how the work reflects or challenges social issues,
cultural movements, or artistic traditions.
Choreographer’s Background: Familiarize yourself with the choreographer's style, influences,
and career to understand their approach to creating the work.
3. Evaluation of Dance:
Critical Review: Practice writing critical evaluations of dance works, focusing on strengths and
weaknesses in choreography, performance, and production elements.
Personal Interpretation: Develop your ability to interpret a dance work based on your
observations, and support your interpretations with evidence from the dance.
Audience Reception: Understand how different audiences might interpret the dance work based
on their cultural backgrounds, experiences, and expectations.
4. Theories and Concepts:
Dance Theory: Be familiar with key dance theorists and concepts such as Laban Movement
Analysis, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and how these can be applied to analyze and interpret
dance.
Physical and Emotional Expression: Explore how physicality and emotional intent are conveyed
in a performance and how dancers use their bodies to express meaning.
Dance in Society: Understand the role of dance in society, including its function in entertainment,
politics, activism, and education.
5. Written Examinations and Essay Writing:
Structured Essays: Practice writing clear, well-structured essays that address key elements of a
dance work. Use critical terminology and support your points with specific examples.
Comparative Analysis: Be prepared to compare and contrast different dance works, highlighting
similarities and differences in themes, techniques, and stylistic approaches.
6. Key Dance Works:
Set Works: Review the specific dance works listed in your course as “set works.” Understand
each work in-depth in terms of its context, structure, choreography, and themes.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E5 7237/W
, 2
Section A
Answer all questions in this section.
Compulsory: The set work Rooster (Christopher Bruce, 1991) within the context of the
Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) 1966–2002
0 1 . 1 Describe the group position at the end of the second dance Lady Jane.
[2 marks]
0 1 . 2 Describe the transition from the group position at the end of the second dance Lady
Jane into the third dance Not Fade Away.
[2 marks]
0 2 Explain how the choreographic use of the dancers in the first dance Little Red
Rooster communicates the themes of this dance.
[5 marks]
0 3 Explain how the use of costume in the sixth dance Ruby Tuesday enhances the
choreographic presentation.
[5 marks]
0 4 Explain how motif and motif development are used in the final dance Sympathy for
the Devil.
[5 marks]
0 5 Discuss the similarities and/or differences between the aural setting of Rooster and
the aural setting of one other work by Christopher Bruce.
[6 marks]
0 6 Discuss how the use of collaboration has contributed to the development of the
repertoire of the Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) during the
period 1966 to 2002.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun24/7237/W
Critical Engagement.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
DANCE
Component 2 Critical engagement
Tuesday 21 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 12-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7237/W.
Do all rough work in the answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
In Section A, answer all questions.
In Section B, answer two questions.
Either Questions 0 7 and 0 8 or Questions 0 9 and 1 0
or Questions 1 1 and 1 2 or Questions 1 3 and 1 4 .
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 100.
You should use examples wherever appropriate to support your explanations or argument.
Advice
You are advised to read through the questions carefully.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E5 7237/W
,For A-level Dance Component 2: Critical Engagement, you will need to focus on the following key
areas to ensure a comprehensive understanding and prepare effectively:
1. Analysis of Dance Works:
Choreographic Intent: Understand the creator’s purpose for each dance work, considering
themes, messages, and emotional expressions.
Movement Vocabulary: Be able to describe the specific movements used in the dance works,
including the use of space, time, energy, and relationship.
Performance Style: Analyze how the performers interpret and deliver the choreography,
considering physical technique, expressiveness, and alignment with the choreographer’s vision.
Staging and Production Elements: Evaluate how lighting, set design, costume, and sound
contribute to the overall effect of the work.
2. Dance in Context:
Historical Context: Be aware of the historical period and cultural influences on the work, including
how the style or genre of dance evolved over time.
Cultural and Social Influences: Understand how the work reflects or challenges social issues,
cultural movements, or artistic traditions.
Choreographer’s Background: Familiarize yourself with the choreographer's style, influences,
and career to understand their approach to creating the work.
3. Evaluation of Dance:
Critical Review: Practice writing critical evaluations of dance works, focusing on strengths and
weaknesses in choreography, performance, and production elements.
Personal Interpretation: Develop your ability to interpret a dance work based on your
observations, and support your interpretations with evidence from the dance.
Audience Reception: Understand how different audiences might interpret the dance work based
on their cultural backgrounds, experiences, and expectations.
4. Theories and Concepts:
Dance Theory: Be familiar with key dance theorists and concepts such as Laban Movement
Analysis, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and how these can be applied to analyze and interpret
dance.
Physical and Emotional Expression: Explore how physicality and emotional intent are conveyed
in a performance and how dancers use their bodies to express meaning.
Dance in Society: Understand the role of dance in society, including its function in entertainment,
politics, activism, and education.
5. Written Examinations and Essay Writing:
Structured Essays: Practice writing clear, well-structured essays that address key elements of a
dance work. Use critical terminology and support your points with specific examples.
Comparative Analysis: Be prepared to compare and contrast different dance works, highlighting
similarities and differences in themes, techniques, and stylistic approaches.
6. Key Dance Works:
Set Works: Review the specific dance works listed in your course as “set works.” Understand
each work in-depth in terms of its context, structure, choreography, and themes.
IB/G/Jun24/G4004/E5 7237/W
, 2
Section A
Answer all questions in this section.
Compulsory: The set work Rooster (Christopher Bruce, 1991) within the context of the
Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) 1966–2002
0 1 . 1 Describe the group position at the end of the second dance Lady Jane.
[2 marks]
0 1 . 2 Describe the transition from the group position at the end of the second dance Lady
Jane into the third dance Not Fade Away.
[2 marks]
0 2 Explain how the choreographic use of the dancers in the first dance Little Red
Rooster communicates the themes of this dance.
[5 marks]
0 3 Explain how the use of costume in the sixth dance Ruby Tuesday enhances the
choreographic presentation.
[5 marks]
0 4 Explain how motif and motif development are used in the final dance Sympathy for
the Devil.
[5 marks]
0 5 Discuss the similarities and/or differences between the aural setting of Rooster and
the aural setting of one other work by Christopher Bruce.
[6 marks]
0 6 Discuss how the use of collaboration has contributed to the development of the
repertoire of the Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) during the
period 1966 to 2002.
[25 marks]
IB/G/Jun24/7237/W
