Study Guide

Field 078: Dance
Sample Selected-Response Questions

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General Test Directions

This test consists of two sections: 1) a section with selected-response questions and 2) a constructed-response section.

Each question in the first section is a selected-response question with four answer choices. Read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the ONE best answer.

Try to answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all. You will NOT be penalized for guessing.

The second section of this test consists of one constructed-response assignment. You will be asked to provide a written response to the assignment. Directions for completing your written response to the constructed-response assignment appear immediately before the assignment.

You may NOT use any type of calculator or reference materials during the test session.

Sample Selected-Response Questions

Competency 0001
Understand basic movement elements, concepts, and skills.

1. 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.

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.

Correct Response: B.
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.

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Competency 0003
Understand the fundamental technical skills and concepts of modern dance.

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

1. the entire length of the inner edges of both feet touch one another.
2. one foot is placed approximately eight inches directly in front of the other foot.
3. the feet are placed approximately shoulder width apart.
4. the big toe of one foot is in line with both the back of the heel and the inner edge of the other foot.

Answer

Correct Response: C.

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.

Correct Response: C.
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.

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Competency 0004
Understand the fundamental technical skills and concepts of jazz dance.

3. A jazz dancer performs the following sequence of steps.

1. Begin standing with feet together.
2. Step the right foot left, crossing the left leg.
3. Step directly backward on the left foot.
4. Step the right foot right.
5. Step directly forward on the left foot.

This combination is known as a:

1. spider walk.
2. four corners walk.
3. jazz star.
4. jazz square.

Answer

Correct Response: D.

When a jazz dancer performs the sequence described above, he or she travels in a square-shaped pathway that ends where it began. This combination of steps is known as a jazz square. A jazz square can also be performed in the opposite direction, beginning with the left foot crossing the right leg.

Correct Response: D.
When a jazz dancer performs the sequence described above, he or she travels in a square-shaped pathway that ends where it began. This combination of steps is known as a jazz square. A jazz square can also be performed in the opposite direction, beginning with the left foot crossing the right leg.

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Competency 0007
Understand components of healthful living and fitness that promote lifelong well-being for dancers.

4. Which of the following is the primary benefit of participating in daily dance activities whether or not one is preparing for a performance?

1. maintaining the body's strength, flexibility, and endurance
2. working muscles that may be neglected during performance
3. creating a movement style that can be easily recognized
4. using repetition to improve the body's muscle memory

Answer

Correct Response: A.

For a dancer, participation in daily dance activities is essential for keeping the body in good condition. By maintaining the body's strength, flexibility, and endurance through daily activity, the dancer keeps the body in shape for performance and protects the body from potential injury.

Correct Response: A.
For a dancer, participation in daily dance activities is essential for keeping the body in good condition. By maintaining the body's strength, flexibility, and endurance through daily activity, the dancer keeps the body in shape for performance and protects the body from potential injury.

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Competency 0008
Understand choreographic principles and processes.

5. Which of the following steps is most important for a choreographer to take before beginning choreography for a dance production?

1. researching the past experience and proven abilities of the dancers involved in the performance
2. exploring the movement qualities and dynamics he or she wishes to use in the dance work
3. becoming familiar with the physical features of the space in which the performance will take place
4. determining the size, interests, and expectations of the potential audience for the performance

Answer

Correct Response: C.

Before beginning to choreograph a dance work, the choreographer needs to have an understanding of the shape and size of the performance space and the angles from which the audience will view the work. This familiarity will help the choreographer make decisions regarding how large movements should be, how many dancers can be moving at once, and what kinds of sets and lighting to use, among other things.

Correct Response: C.
Before beginning to choreograph a dance work, the choreographer needs to have an understanding of the shape and size of the performance space and the angles from which the audience will view the work. This familiarity will help the choreographer make decisions regarding how large movements should be, how many dancers can be moving at once, and what kinds of sets and lighting to use, among other things.

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Competency 0011
Understand the application of creative and critical thinking skills in dance.

6. When revising a dance work over time, which of the following is the most important consideration in determining what changes should be made?

1. whether the changes will enhance the expression of the choreographer's vision for the work
2. whether the changes address issues raised by others who have seen the work performed
3. whether the changes will improve the suitability of the choreography for the dancers' skills
4. whether the changes would result in a shift from the choreographer's original purpose for the work

Answer

Correct Response: A.

A dance work is a product of the choreographer's imagination and creativity. As such, any potential revisions to a dance work must be examined carefully to ensure that they will enhance the choreographer's vision for the work. Any change that does not support the choreographer's vision should be avoided.

Correct Response: A.
A dance work is a product of the choreographer's imagination and creativity. As such, any potential revisions to a dance work must be examined carefully to ensure that they will enhance the choreographer's vision for the work. Any change that does not support the choreographer's vision should be avoided.

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Competency 0013
Understand the relationship between dance and culture.

7. Each June, Osage communities gather in three locations in Oklahoma to participate in I'n-Lon-Schka dances. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of these dance events?

1. to celebrate the seasonal cycle with traditional dance and song
2. to select Osage dancers to represent the tribe in regional powwow competitions
3. to socialize with neighboring tribes and strengthen unity among Native American tribes
4. to reaffirm traditional values and beliefs connected with Osage identity

Answer

Correct Response: D.

I'n-Lon-Schka dances are a form of powwow in which song and dance are used to express Osage community, kinship, beliefs, and values. Since World War II, powwows have become important expressions of Native American ethnic awareness and identity, both embodying and communicating historical and contemporary cultural attitudes.

Correct Response: D.
I'n-Lon-Schka dances are a form of powwow in which song and dance are used to express Osage community, kinship, beliefs, and values. Since World War II, powwows have become important expressions of Native American ethnic awareness and identity, both embodying and communicating historical and contemporary cultural attitudes.

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Competency 0014
Understand the relationship of dance to other art forms.

8. Which of the following expressive techniques is frequently used by both choreographers and painters to focus viewers' attention on the importance of an element of meaning?

1. sequence
2. variety
3. contrast
4. climax

Answer

Correct Response: C.

In the visual arts, artists use contrasting colors, textures, or line qualities to draw attention to a particular focal point of a work. In dance, contrasting dynamics, rhythmic schemes, levels, and tempos are often used by choreographers to focus the audience's attention in a particular way. The tension created by the existence of the contrast creates a dynamic opposition that can be used to emphasize an important element of meaning in a work.

Correct Response: C.
In the visual arts, artists use contrasting colors, textures, or line qualities to draw attention to a particular focal point of a work. In dance, contrasting dynamics, rhythmic schemes, levels, and tempos are often used by choreographers to focus the audience's attention in a particular way. The tension created by the existence of the contrast creates a dynamic opposition that can be used to emphasize an important element of meaning in a work.

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Competency 0016
Understand instructional planning, implementation, and management associated with the teaching of dance in a school setting.

9. 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. solving a movement problem with multiple possible outcomes
3. improvising freely to a piece of music
4. working with partners doing movement-mirroring exercises

Answer

Correct Response: B.

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.

Correct Response: B.
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.

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Competency 0018
Understand ways to integrate dance into other areas of the educational curriculum.

10. 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.

In both mathematics and dance, the concept of patterns is important. By having students explore the characteristics of patterns through creative movement, students will use both their mathematical and dance skills to explore the concept of patterns, resulting in a truly cross-disciplinary learning experience.

Correct Response: A.
In both mathematics and dance, the concept of patterns is important. By having students explore the characteristics of patterns through creative movement, students will use both their mathematical and dance skills to explore the concept of patterns, resulting in a truly cross-disciplinary learning experience.

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