A play in which characters act through gestures and facial expressions is a _______

Analyzing the question: The question asks for the type of play where characters communicate through gestures and facial expressions, with no speech.

Explaining the concepts:

• Pantomime (A): A performance in which actors express the story through gestures, body movement, and facial expressions, usually without words. The word comes from the Greek pantomimos, meaning "imitator of all."
• Burlesque (B): A form of comic imitation that mocks a serious work or subject by exaggeration or ridicule. It depends on spoken or written satire, not silent acting.
• Melodrama (C): A play with exaggerated emotions, sensational plots, stock characters (a clear hero and villain), and a happy ending. It uses dialogue.
• Farce (D): A comedy with absurd situations, slapstick, and improbable events, meant to provoke laughter. It also uses dialogue.

Solving step by step:

1. The key clue is "act through gestures and facial expressions", which means silent acting with no reliance on spoken words.
2. Burlesque, melodrama, and farce all depend on dialogue and are defined by tone or plot, not by silent expression.
3. Only pantomime is defined by communicating through body language and facial expression.

Answer: A. pantomime

Exam tip: Link "pan-" with "mime." A mime is a silent performer, so if a question mentions acting without words, think pantomime. For the other terms: burlesque = mockery, melodrama = over-the-top emotion, farce = ridiculous situations.