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Grade Five
Music Theory
Practice Test
(ABRSM Syllabus)

BY VICTORIA WILLIAMS BA MUSIC AMUSTCL

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
Published: 7th February 2017
TIME LIMIT: 2 HOURS
PASS MARK: 66%
MERIT: 80-89%
DISTINCTION: 90-100%

Please see www.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/information-and-regulations/music-theory-marking-

criteria-grades-1-5/ for complete details on marking criteria.

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
GRADE 5 MUSIC THEORY TEST – PAGE 1
QUESTION 1
The following piece of music needs a different time signature in each bar. Write the three time
signatures. [6]

QUESTION 2
Describe the chords (A, B and C) as I, II, IV or V, and say whether the lowest note of the chord is the
root (a), third (b) or fifth (c). The key is Eb major. [6]

QUESTION 3
Rewrite the last note of the right hand piano part (circled) so that it sounds the same, but using the
tenor clef. Include the correct key signature. [3]

QUESTION 4
The following melody was written for cor Anglais. Transpose it down a perfect 5th, as it will sound at
concert pitch. Remember to put in the new key signature. [10]

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
GRADE 5 MUSIC THEORY TEST – PAGE 2
QUESTION 5
This passage is for SATB choir. Rewrite it in open score. [10]

QUESTION 6
Suggest chords for the two cadences in this melody by indicating one chord (I, II, IV or V) at the
places marked A-E. (You do not need to indicate the inversion of the chord.)
Either write I, II, V and V, or write notes on the staves. [10]

CADENCE 1: Chord A: Chord B:

CADENCE 2: Chord C: Chord D: Chord E:

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
GRADE 5 MUSIC THEORY TEST – PAGE 3
QUESTION 7
a. Using semibreves (whole notes) write one octave of the ascending melodic minor scale which uses
this key signature. [5]

b. Put accidentals on to the notes which need them in order to create the scale of B major. Do not
use a key signature. [5]

QUESTION 8
Look at the score, which is adapted from a piece called “Aubade” by d’Ambrosio for violin and piano,
and answer the questions on the next page. [30]

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
GRADE 5 MUSIC THEORY TEST – PAGE 4
(QUESTION 8 CONTINUED)
a. Give the meaning of “Allegretto moderato”. [2]
b. Give the meaning of “arco”. (bar 3) [2]
c. Give the time name (e.g. crotchet/quarter note) of the fastest note value used. [2]
d. How many times does this rhythm occur? [2]

e. Give the meaning of the short line below this note (bars 3, 4 and 7). [2]

f. The key is G major. Give the technical name (e.g. tonic) of the highest note. [2]
g. Give the meaning of the symbol above this note (bar 1, violin part). [2]

h. Describe the intervals marked A and B in the score by number and quality (e.g. perfect 5th)
Interval A (bar 7, violin part): [2]
Interval B (bar 7, left hand piano part): [2]
i. Write as a breve (double whole note) an enharmonic equivalent of the note marked in box C. [2]

j. Describe the time signature as simple or compound [1]:

k. Describe the time signature as duple, triple, quadruple or irregular: [1]
l. Which orchestral family does the violin belong to? [1]
m. Name the lowest sounding standard orchestral instrument from the same family. [1]
n. Name a standard orchestral instrument which normally uses the same clef as the violin and
which could play from a violin part without any change in pitch. [2]
o. Which two bars are exact copies? [2]
p. Give the letter name (e.g. C#) of the lowest sounding note in the piece. [2]

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary
GRADE 5 MUSIC THEORY TEST – PAGE 5

QUESTION 9: CHOOSE EITHER (A) OR (B)

A. Continue this opening to make an eight-bar composition. Add performance directions to the
whole piece. Write your melody for a flute or violin and state which you have chosen. [15]

B: Write a voice melody to suit these words. Include performance directions and write the words
under the notes they are sung to. [15]

They ambled out into to snow,

And there they found the sleeping crow

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Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Test – Complimentary