Which excerpt from the text signals the sequence of events?
A”At the start of the reign the majority of productions are miracle plays . . .”
B”. . . a prompter goes to each actor in turn and whispers his speech to him, line by line.”
C”. . . people increasingly choose to see secular plays on historical and moral themes.”
D”If there are any female parts, these are played by boys dressed as women.”
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A: “At the start of the reign the majority of productions are miracle plays . . .”
Explanation:
This excerpt clearly indicates the beginning of a timeline in the context of theatrical history. It establishes a chronological point of reference by specifying that at the start of a particular reign, the predominant form of theatrical production was miracle plays. This use of “at the start” signals the initiation of events within a temporal framework, allowing readers to understand that what follows will describe how these plays were prevalent at the onset of that period.
The other options do not serve as effective markers of sequence in the same way.
- B discusses a specific aspect of theater production (the role of the prompter), but it does not provide a chronological marker or indicate a sequence of events; instead, it focuses on an operational detail during performances.
- C notes a change in audience preferences towards secular plays on historical and moral themes but does not specify when this shift began or how it relates to the timeline of events. It implies progression but lacks the explicit indication of a starting point.
- D describes a practice regarding the casting of female roles in plays but does not provide any chronological context. It details a particular aspect of theatrical practice rather than indicating when or how this practice fits into a sequence of events.
In summary, excerpt A is the only one that establishes a clear starting point for the discussion of theatrical productions and sets up an understanding of how these productions may evolve over time, making it the best signal of sequence among the provided options.