TV drama exam style questions Cuffs

1. Use the link below to access the video clip for Cuffs. Season 1. Episode 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lvryLidm60
Task:
1. Watch the full episode.
2. Answer the following
questions, using as examples
for your answers any scenes or
sequences (extracts) from this
episode.
TV drama exam style questions
Cuffs. ‘Luck of the Draw’. Series 1, Episode 1. BBC October 2015

2. Question 1 (5 marks)
• Analyse how sound is used in the extract to create
meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the
extract in your answer.
• Analyse how camerawork is used to create
meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the
extract in your answer.
Exam style questions: Media language

3. Question 1 (5 marks)
• Analyse how editing is used in the extract to create
meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the
extract in your answer.
• Analyse how mise-en-scène is used to create
meaning. Refer to at least two examples in your
answer.
Exam style questions: Media language

4. Question 2 (10 marks)
Analyse how far the extract from Cuffs depicts the
police’s point of view rather than the criminals’
point of view. In your answer you must:
• analyse aspects of the extract using examples to
support your analysis
• judge how far these aspects depict the police’s
point of view.
Exam style questions: Narrative

5. Question 2 (10 marks)
Analyse how far the extract creates suspense. In your
answer you must:
• analyse aspects of the extract using examples to
support your analysis
• make judgements and draw conclusions about
how far these aspects create suspense.
Exam style questions: Narrative

6. Question 2 (10 marks)
Analyse how far the extract creates tension. In your
answer you must:
• analyse aspects of the extract using examples to
support your analysis
• judge how far these aspects create tension.
Exam style questions: Narrative

7. Question 2 (10 marks)
Analyse how far the extract creates a humorous view
of policing. In your answer you must:
• analyse aspects of the extract using examples to
support your analysis
• make judgements and draw conclusions about
how far these aspects create a humorous view of
policing.
Exam style questions: Narrative

8. Question 3 (15 marks)
In this question you will be rewarded for drawing together
elements from your full course of study, including different areas of
the theoretical framework and media contexts.
How far does the extract try to create a sense that it is portraying
'real life'? In your answer you must:
• analyse aspects of the extract giving detailed examples
• judge how far these aspects create a sense of watching 'real
life’.
Exam style questions: Representation

9. Question 3 (15 marks)
In this question you will be rewarded for drawing together
elements from your full course of study, including different areas of
the theoretical framework and media contexts.
How far does the extract try to create a sympathetic view of the
police? In your answer you must:
• analyse aspects of media language and representation in the
extract, giving detailed examples
• refer to Propp
• make judgements and draw conclusions.
Exam style questions: Representation

10. Question 3 (15 marks)
In this question you will be rewarded for drawing together
elements from your full course of study, including different areas of
the theoretical framework and media contexts.
How far does Cuffs adapt police drama genre conventions to fit its
family audience at 8pm on BBC1? In your answer you must:
• analyse the extract’s use of genre conventions
• make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the
extract adapts the conventions of police drama to fit its
scheduling and audience.
Exam style questions: Representation

11. Question 3 (15 marks)
In this question you will be rewarded for drawing together
elements from your full course of study, including different areas of
the theoretical framework and media contexts.
How far does the extract challenge traditional representations of
gender in order to reach a 2010s television audience? In your
answer you must:
• analyse the extract’s use of gender representations
• make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the extract
challenges or conforms to
• traditional representations of gender including stereotypes.
Exam style questions: Representation

12. Exam style questions: Ownership
Question 4 (5 marks)
Describe what is meant by 'Public Service Broadcasting'
(PSB). Use the BBC as an example in your answer.

13. Exam style questions: Ownership
Question 4 (5 marks)
Describe ways that television programmes are funded.

14. Exam style questions: Ownership
Question 4 (5 marks)
State two ways audiences can watch dramas like Cuffs after
they have first been shown on television. Explain why
audiences might prefer these ways.

15. Exam style questions: Ownership
Question 4 (5 marks)
Explain how one television channel targets a mass or
specialised audience.

16. Question 5 (10 marks)
Cuffs
• Explain how social and/or cultural contexts influence
messages and values in television programmes. Refer to
Cuffs to support your answer.
Exam style questions: Contexts