Study Guide

Field 011: Dance
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions

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Competency 0001
Understand concepts fundamental to dancing and creating dances and their relationship to learning and performance.

Which of the following elements related to time is used to create a sense of momentum during a dance?

  1. an uneven meter
  2. an increasing tempo
  3. a regular beat
  4. a long duration
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to understand concepts fundamental to dancing and creating dances and their relationship to learning and performing dance. While fast movement tends to be active and exciting, slower movement tends to be less stimulating. Therefore, as the tempo of movements increases in a dance, the viewer perceives a building of momentum as the visual and energetic stimulation provided by the movements increases.
Competency 0002
Understand and apply basic elements, principles, processes, and structures of choreography.

In dance, which of the following compositional forms consists of a basic theme that returns between sections of contrasting material?

  1. rondo
  2. canon
  3. collage
  4. AB
Answer
Correct Response: A.
This question requires the examinee to understand and apply basic elements, principles, processes, and structures of choreography. The rondo is an expansion of the ABA form in which an opening theme is followed by a contrasting theme and then a return to the original theme. The rondo uses a recurring theme interspersed with a succession of varied contrasting themes, all building to a conclusion.
Competency 0003
Understand and apply principles of interpretation and analysis important for responding to and reflecting on choreography and dance performance.

Three dancers are performing the same steps simultaneously. One dancer is positioned center stage right, one dancer is positioned center stage, and the other dancer is positioned center stage left. This use of balance is most likely to serve which of the following functions?

  1. creating a focus on individual movement interpretations
  2. producing an impression of stability
  3. establishing one dancer as the leading role in the piece
  4. creating strong visual tension
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to understand and apply principles of interpretation and analysis important for responding to and reflecting on choreography and dance performance. The unison movement of the dancers in an even line across center stage uses symmetry and synchronized movement to unite the dancers. The unity among the dancers contributes to the creation of a sense of stability.
Competency 0004
Understand principles and practices of dance performance and production.

A lighting designer is preparing a lighting plot for a realistic dance. One scene includes a romantic interlude between two characters on a moonlit terrace. To establish a realistic setting, which of the following effects would be most appropriate for the designer to include?

  1. warm-colored lights
  2. a back wash
  3. cool-colored lights
  4. a blackout
Answer
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to understand principles and practices of dance performance and production. Lighting can help provide the mood and define the setting of a dance. An impression of nighttime moonlight can be created by the use of cool-color filters in blues and purples.
Competency 0005
Understand human anatomy and kinesiology, the development of kinesthetic awareness, principles of physical conditioning and training, and safe and healthful practices as related to dance learning and performance.

Which of the following muscles is a primary mover in creating knee flexion?

  1. quadriceps femoris
  2. iliopsoas
  3. gluteus maximus
  4. hamstrings
Answer
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to understand human anatomy. Knee flexion involves bending the knee to bring the posterior surface of the lower leg closer to the posterior surface of the thigh. The hamstring muscles along the back of the thigh contract to bend the knee; the quadriceps along the front of the thigh contract to straighten the knee.
Competency 0006
Understand the history and fundamental characteristics of major forms of concert and performance dance globally, including skills and concepts important to learning and performing diverse genres of concert and theatrical dances.

In modern dance, the feet are in second position parallel when the toes of both feet are pointing forward and:

  1. the inner edges of both feet touch along their entire length.
  2. one foot is placed approximately one foot length directly in front of the other foot.
  3. the feet are placed approximately shoulder width apart.
  4. the big toe of one foot aligns with both the back of the heel and the inner edge of the other foot.
Answer
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to understand fundamental characteristics of major forms of concert and performance dance. Second position parallel in modern dance is achieved when a dancer stands with the feet approximately shoulder width apart and has the toes of both feet pointing forward so the inner edges of the feet are parallel to one another.
Competency 0007
Understand the history and fundamental characteristics of major forms of traditional and cultural participatory dances and the skills and concepts important to learning and performing diverse genres of participatory dance.

The creation of Caribbean dance forms such as rumba, mambo, merengue, and salsa was most influenced by which of the following cultural developments?

  1. the revitalization of traditional regional cultural forms during the early era of independence
  2. the global spread of cultural ideas from the United States through television and movies
  3. the fusion of cultural activities by immigrants moving between Latin America and the United States
  4. the introduction of cultural practices from Africa and Europe during the colonial period
Answer
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to understand the history and fundamental characteristics of major forms of traditional and cultural participatory dances. Many Caribbean cultures are a blend of indigenous, African, and European influences that began to develop during the colonial era. The blending of Spanish and African movement traditions influenced the development of salsa, mambo, and rumba in Cuba and merengue in the Dominican Republic.
Competency 0008
Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics, functions, and practice of dance within various global cultures.

Use the paragraph below describing the use of a traditional dance in Ghana to answer the question that follows.

In Ghana, the dance known as Adzohu originally functioned as a spiritual preparation for war. Though war is no longer a part of Ghanaian society the way it was when the dance tradition developed, the Adzohu is still performed as a social event. Dancers dress in colorful waist cloths, ankle raffia, bells, and hats and perform the traditional repertoire of movements that portray battlefield actions and bravery.

Based on the information in the paragraph above, it is most likely that Ghanaians continue to dance Adzohu today, despite the social changes that have occurred, because the dance provides a means of:

  1. conveying personal and community needs to deities.
  2. expressing perspectives on social and political issues.
  3. defining and preserving a sense of group cultural identity.
  4. celebrating the coming of age of young men in the community.
Answer
Correct Response: C.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics, functions, and practice of dance within various global cultures. As societies change over time, traditional activities can take on new meanings that reflect social changes. As war became less important in Ghana, the performance of war dances continued as important elements of cultural expression, embodying the historical and cultural identity of the communities that danced them. Today, performing these dances contributes to defining and preserving communities’ unique sense of cultural identity.
Competency 0009
Understand the connections between dance and the other arts, other content areas, and lifelong interests and activities.

Which of the following would be the best approach for a dance teacher to use in developing a lesson plan that integrates dance learning with mathematics?

  1. collaborating with a mathematics teacher to have students create a dance that explores the characteristics of patterns
  2. asking students to identify and write a report on a similarity between mathematics and dance
  3. having students list in their journals concepts used in dance that they encounter while studying mathematics
  4. borrowing a mathematics textbook to identify words and concepts that could be used to stimulate dance movement ideas for improvisation
Answer
Correct Response: A.
This question requires the examinee to understand the connections between dance and disciplines outside the arts. In both mathematics and dance, the concept of patterns is important. Through collaboration, a dance teacher and mathematics teacher can develop lessons that encourage students to explore the characteristics of patterns through creative movement, using both their mathematical and dance knowledge and skills to develop understanding of the concept of patterns.
Competency 0010
Understand the role of dance education in the United States and the characteristics of constructive learning environments.

A dance teacher is given the choice of using the large space of the school gymnasium which has a wood floor and no windows or a smaller activity room that has a linoleum floor and several windows in one wall for a class of 20 third graders. Which of the following statements provides one important reason why the activity room would provide a more effective space for her class?

  1. The wood floor in the gymnasium is likely to be much more slippery than the linoleum in the activity room.
  2. The large open space of the gymnasium may make it more difficult for students to remain focused and hear the teacher's directions.
  3. The linoleum floor in the activity room is likely to provide more spring and cushioning than the wooden floor for active movement.
  4. The windows in the activity room will provide soft lighting that contributes to creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Answer
Correct Response: B.
This question requires the examinee to understand the characteristics of constructive learning environments. The nature and size of the space used for dance classes can affect student behavior and class management. With young children, especially, a wide-open space invites running and sliding and can allow attention to turn away from class activities. A smaller, more intimate space will encourage students to stay focused on the teacher and the activities of the class.
Competency 0011
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for effective dance instruction and assessment of student learning.

Which of the following dance activities is most appropriately introduced at the high school level, given the typical sequence of students' development of abstract reasoning skills?

  1. learning and performing a complete dance to a song
  2. working with partners doing movement-mirroring exercises
  3. improvising freely to an unfamiliar piece of music
  4. solving a movement problem with multiple possible outcomes
Answer
Correct Response: D.
This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for effective dance instruction. Until they reach high school age, students typically have not developed the abstract reasoning skills needed to independently solve a problem with multiple possible outcomes. Younger students can be encouraged to explore the idea of multiple outcomes by viewing multiple outcomes to given problems, but students at the high school level are most likely to be developmentally ready to solve such problems themselves.