Visual Literacy: Elements & Principles of Design is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Visual Arts 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. Which element of design describes the relative lightness or darkness of a surface, ranging from white through greys to black?
Tone (value)
Texture
Line
Shape
Answer: Tone (value) — Tone, also called value, is the relative lightness or darkness of a surface, ranging from white through greys to black, essential for suggesting form and depth.
Easy
2. Q1.1 (Unseen image analysis) An unfamiliar drawing shows a figure rendered using dense cross-hatched lines to build up dark tonal areas around the form. Which element of design is primarily being used to suggest form here?
Tone (value), built up through cross-hatching
Colour, since cross-hatching always changes hue
Texture only, with no relationship to form
Space, since cross-hatching only affects negative space
Answer: Tone (value), built up through cross-hatching — Cross-hatching is a technique for building tone (value); the resulting dark tonal areas are what suggest the form of the figure in the unseen drawing.
Easy
3. What distinguishes a geometric shape from an organic shape?
A geometric shape is a regular, mathematical form, while an organic shape is irregular and free-flowing
A geometric shape is always coloured, while an organic shape is always black and white
Organic shapes can only appear in sculpture, never in drawing
There is no real difference between the two
Answer: A geometric shape is a regular, mathematical form, while an organic shape is irregular and free-flowing — Geometric shapes are regular, mathematical forms such as circles and squares, while organic shapes are irregular, free-flowing forms typically found in nature.
