History of Design: The Modernist Age & Popular Culture
History of Design: The Modernist Age & Popular Culture is one of 9 topics in the Grade 11 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. During which approximate period does the Modernist Age fall, in the Grade 11 CAPS date range?
1935-1955
1880-1905
1925-1939
1955-1975
Answer: 1935-1955 — The Modernist Age spans roughly 1935 to 1955 in the Grade 11 CAPS date range, consolidating ideas pioneered by earlier movements.
Easy
2. What core belief does modernism, as a broad design philosophy, hold about a design's form?
A design's form should serve its practical purpose (functionalism)
A design's form should always imitate historical, traditional styles
A design's form should have no relationship to its practical purpose
A design's form should always be as decorative and ornamental as possible
Answer: A design's form should serve its practical purpose (functionalism) — Modernism is characterised by a continued commitment to functionalism, the belief that a design's form should serve its practical purpose, rejecting applied historical or decorative ornament.
Medium
3. Name one new industrial material embraced during the Modernist Age, alongside steel, glass and concrete.
Answer: plastic — Modernism embraced new industrial materials and technologies, such as steel, glass, concrete and plastic, enabling new structural and manufacturing possibilities.
