Colour Theory: Primary, Secondary & Complementary Colours is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Design CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What are the three primary colours?
Red, yellow and blue
Orange, green and purple
Black, white and grey
Pink, brown and beige
Answer: Red, yellow and blue — The three primary colours are red, yellow and blue; every other colour on the traditional colour wheel is ultimately built up from some combination of these three.
Easy
2. Why are red, yellow and blue called "primary" colours?
They cannot be created by mixing any other colours together
They are the darkest colours on the colour wheel
They can only be used in children's design
They are created by mixing two secondary colours together
Answer: They cannot be created by mixing any other colours together — Primary colours are called "primary" because they cannot be created by mixing any other colours together.
Medium
3. Name one visual quality that makes primary colours frequently chosen for safety signage or sports branding.
Answer: bold — Because primary colours are bold, saturated and highly recognisable, they are frequently chosen for designs that need to communicate energy, simplicity or strong visual impact.
