Question 20
NECO_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2020
•
LITERATURE_IN_ENGLISH
•
objective
Read the excerpt from a stage play.
[Stage Direction: A single spotlight illuminates a cracked wooden chair at centre stage. A low hum of distant thunder is heard.]
PROTAGONIST (soliloquy): "What cruel fate binds my hands to this cursed throne? I hear the kingdom's cries, yet I am shackled by my own doubts."
[Stage Direction: The KING enters, unseen by the audience, but his silhouette is projected on the backdrop, whispering the truth that only the audience knows.]
KING (off‑stage, voice‑over): "He believes he is alone, but the crown bears the weight of every soul in the realm."
(i) Identify three dramatic techniques employed in this excerpt.
(ii) Explain how each technique shapes the audience's perception of the protagonist's dilemma.
Answer Options
Correct Answer
A.
The three techniques are: (a) stage direction with spotlight and thunder, which isolates the character and creates a tense atmosphere; (b) soliloquy, which reveals the protagonist's inner turmoil directly to the audience; (c) dramatic irony via the off‑stage king's voice‑over, which lets the audience know the protagonist is not alone, deepening empathy and building suspense about how the dilemma will be resolved.
B.
The three techniques are: (a) background music accompaniment, which adds mood but does not isolate the character; (b) dialogue between characters, which shares information openly rather than revealing inner conflict; (c) symbolism of the cracked chair, which represents decay but does not involve dramatic irony.
C.
The three techniques are: (a) stage direction with thunder and lighting changes, which merely sets the scene without affecting character isolation; (b) monologue, which presents the protagonist's thoughts to other characters rather than directly to the audience; (c) foreshadowing through the king's off‑stage whisper, which hints at future events but does not create dramatic irony.
D.
The three techniques are: (a) costume change, which signals a shift in status but does not create tension; (b) aside, which addresses another character onstage rather than the audience; (c) flashback narration, which provides back‑story but does not establish dramatic irony.
Correct Answer
A
Correct Option:
The three techniques are: (a) stage direction with spotlight and thunder, which isolates the character and creates a tense atmosphere; (b) soliloquy, which reveals the protagonist's inner turmoil directly to the audience; (c) dramatic irony via the off‑stage king's voice‑over, which lets the audience know the protagonist is not alone, deepening empathy and building suspense about how the dilemma will be resolved.
About This Question
This is
Neco Model Questions Vol1
2020
Literature In English
Question 20.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2020
Neco Model Questions Vol1
Literature In English
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.