A dramatic performance with scenes played by body movements or gestures without words known as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term for a dramatic performance in which scenes are acted out through body movements or gestures, without spoken words.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Comedy: A play with a light-hearted tone and a happy ending, usually meant to amuse. It relies on dialogue.
• Pantomime: A performance that tells a story through gesture, facial expression, and body movement, without speech. (Note: in British theatre, "pantomime" can also mean a musical Christmas show, but the classic literary definition is dramatic action without words, which is what WASSCE tests.)
• Panegyric: A formal speech or piece of writing praising a person or achievement. It is not a drama form.
• Melodrama: A play with exaggerated emotion, sensational plots, and clear heroes and villains. It uses speech and music.

Step 3: Solve The key phrase is "without words," meaning the story is conveyed purely through gestures and body movement. Only pantomime fits this.

• A: Comedy relies on words, so it is out.
• C: Panegyric is praise literature, not a dramatic performance.
• D: Melodrama uses dialogue and exaggerated emotion.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. pantomime.

Exam tip: Think of "mime" inside "pantomime". Mime artists perform silently, so if you see "without words" in a drama question, look for the option containing "mime".