1|Page
OCR A LEVEL DRAMA AND THEATRE PAPER 4
H459/41: DECONSTRUCTING TEXTS FOR
PERFORMANCE – ANTIGONE 2026 EDITION | 110
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES |
HIGH-YIELD CONTENT
## Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Question Numbers | Count |
|---------|-------|----------------|-------|
| 1 | Exam Format & Assessment Objectives | 1 – 15 | 15 |
| 2 | Historical & Cultural Context | 16 – 30 | 15 |
| 3 | Plot Summary & Structure | 31 – 45 | 15 |
| 4 | Character Analysis | 46 – 60 | 15 |
| 5 | Themes & Dramatic Functions | 61 – 75 | 15 |
| 6 | Staging & Performance (Question 1) | 76 – 90 | 15 |
| 7 | Directorial Vision (Question 2) | 91 – 105 | 15 |
| 8 | Key Quotations & Terminology | 106 – 110 | 5 |
| **Total** | | **1 – 110** | **110** |
---
,2|Page
## SECTION 1: EXAM FORMAT & ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
(Q1–15)
**1. What is the total duration of the OCR A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/41 examination paper?**
A) 1 hour
B) 1 hour 30 minutes
C) 1 hour 45 minutes
D) 2 hours 30 minutes
**Correct Answer:** C
**Rationale:** The OCR A Level Drama and Theatre H459/41 paper
(Deconstructing Texts for Performance) allows 1 hour 45 minutes for
completion. This timing is designed to allow students sufficient time to
answer both questions in depth, including annotation of the provided
extract.
**High-Yield Tip:** Practice timing yourself – allocate 50 minutes for
Question 1 (including annotation) and 55 minutes for Question 2.
**2. What is the total mark available for the H459/41 examination
paper?**
A) 30 marks
B) 45 marks
,3|Page
C) 60 marks
D) 100 marks
**Correct Answer:** C
**Rationale:** The paper is worth a total of 60 marks, with each of the
two questions carrying 30 marks. This represents a significant portion of
the overall A Level qualification.
**High-Yield Tip:** Question 1 (extract analysis) and Question 2
(whole-text directorial vision) are equally weighted – allocate your
revision time accordingly.
**3. The H459/41 examination paper contains which of the following
components?**
A) Multiple choice questions only
B) Two essay questions and an extract annotation task
C) A practical performance assessment
D) A design portfolio only
**Correct Answer:** B
**Rationale:** The paper consists of two questions: Question 1 requires
annotation of an extract with directorial notes (atmosphere/mood), and
Question 2 is an extended response on staging key dramatic moments of
the play. There are no multiple choice questions in the actual exam.
, 4|Page
**High-Yield Tip:** For Question 1, you are expected to annotate the
script directly – practice on blank copies of key extracts.
**4. Which Assessment Objective focuses on "realising artistic intention
in performance"?**
A) AO1
B) AO2
C) AO3
D) AO4
**Correct Answer:** B
**Rationale:** AO2 requires students to "realise artistic intention in
performance" – this is assessed through directorial decisions, staging
choices, and justification of creative ideas.
**High-Yield Tip:** For top marks in Question 1, every annotation must
be linked to a clear directorial intention.
**5. Which Assessment Objective involves "demonstrating knowledge
and understanding of drama and theatre"?**
A) AO1
B) AO2
C) AO3
D) AO4
OCR A LEVEL DRAMA AND THEATRE PAPER 4
H459/41: DECONSTRUCTING TEXTS FOR
PERFORMANCE – ANTIGONE 2026 EDITION | 110
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES |
HIGH-YIELD CONTENT
## Table of Contents
| Section | Topic | Question Numbers | Count |
|---------|-------|----------------|-------|
| 1 | Exam Format & Assessment Objectives | 1 – 15 | 15 |
| 2 | Historical & Cultural Context | 16 – 30 | 15 |
| 3 | Plot Summary & Structure | 31 – 45 | 15 |
| 4 | Character Analysis | 46 – 60 | 15 |
| 5 | Themes & Dramatic Functions | 61 – 75 | 15 |
| 6 | Staging & Performance (Question 1) | 76 – 90 | 15 |
| 7 | Directorial Vision (Question 2) | 91 – 105 | 15 |
| 8 | Key Quotations & Terminology | 106 – 110 | 5 |
| **Total** | | **1 – 110** | **110** |
---
,2|Page
## SECTION 1: EXAM FORMAT & ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
(Q1–15)
**1. What is the total duration of the OCR A Level Drama and Theatre
H459/41 examination paper?**
A) 1 hour
B) 1 hour 30 minutes
C) 1 hour 45 minutes
D) 2 hours 30 minutes
**Correct Answer:** C
**Rationale:** The OCR A Level Drama and Theatre H459/41 paper
(Deconstructing Texts for Performance) allows 1 hour 45 minutes for
completion. This timing is designed to allow students sufficient time to
answer both questions in depth, including annotation of the provided
extract.
**High-Yield Tip:** Practice timing yourself – allocate 50 minutes for
Question 1 (including annotation) and 55 minutes for Question 2.
**2. What is the total mark available for the H459/41 examination
paper?**
A) 30 marks
B) 45 marks
,3|Page
C) 60 marks
D) 100 marks
**Correct Answer:** C
**Rationale:** The paper is worth a total of 60 marks, with each of the
two questions carrying 30 marks. This represents a significant portion of
the overall A Level qualification.
**High-Yield Tip:** Question 1 (extract analysis) and Question 2
(whole-text directorial vision) are equally weighted – allocate your
revision time accordingly.
**3. The H459/41 examination paper contains which of the following
components?**
A) Multiple choice questions only
B) Two essay questions and an extract annotation task
C) A practical performance assessment
D) A design portfolio only
**Correct Answer:** B
**Rationale:** The paper consists of two questions: Question 1 requires
annotation of an extract with directorial notes (atmosphere/mood), and
Question 2 is an extended response on staging key dramatic moments of
the play. There are no multiple choice questions in the actual exam.
, 4|Page
**High-Yield Tip:** For Question 1, you are expected to annotate the
script directly – practice on blank copies of key extracts.
**4. Which Assessment Objective focuses on "realising artistic intention
in performance"?**
A) AO1
B) AO2
C) AO3
D) AO4
**Correct Answer:** B
**Rationale:** AO2 requires students to "realise artistic intention in
performance" – this is assessed through directorial decisions, staging
choices, and justification of creative ideas.
**High-Yield Tip:** For top marks in Question 1, every annotation must
be linked to a clear directorial intention.
**5. Which Assessment Objective involves "demonstrating knowledge
and understanding of drama and theatre"?**
A) AO1
B) AO2
C) AO3
D) AO4
