Here, you’ll find the answers, and explanations to the questions in Music Theory Sample Papers (2020), ABRSM Grade 5 Paper B.

Table of contents for Music Theory Grade 5 Sample Paper B

Click on the question below to go directly to it explanation.

Section 1: Rhythm
Question 1.1
Question 1.2
Question 1.3
Question 1.4
Question 1.5

Section 2: Pitch
Question 2.1
Question 2.2
Question 2.3

Question 2.4

Section 3: Keys and Scales
Question 3.1
Question 3.2
Question 3.3
Question 3.4
Question 3.5
Question 3.6
Question 3.7

Section 4: Intervals
Question 4.1
Question 4.2

Question 4.3

Section 5: Chords
Question 5.1
Question 5.2
Question 5.3

Section 6: Terms, Signs and Instruments

Question 6.1

Question 6.2

Question 6.3

Section 7: Music in Context

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Section 1: Rhythm ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Question 1.1: Time Signature

In this section, students are expected to determine the time signature for a given bar of music.

Question 1.1 (a)

The time signature is 7/8 time:

Question 1.1 (b)

The time signature is 9/8 time:

Question 1.1 (c)

The time signature is 6/4 time:

Question 1.2

This question is on compound vs simple time.

In this question we are given 6/8 time (compound time), and asked to convert it to simple time. To convert it to compound time, it’ll be 2/4 time.

Next, we’ll need to convert all compound time to simple time. This means that we’ll need to convert all dotted crotchets beats to crotchet beats. To do so, we’ll remove all the duplet signs, and for group of notes equal to a dotted crotchet beat, we add a triplet sign above them.

Hence, the correct answer for this question is:

Question 1.3

a. In 9/8, there are 3 dotted crotchet beats in a bar.

b. A dotted- minim is equal to 12 semiquavers.

Question 1.4

In this question, students are tested on the grouping of notes in 4/4 time. To group notes in 4/4 time, they should be grouped crotchet beat by crotchet beats, or minim beats by minim beats.

The correct answer for this question:

Question 1.5

In the first box, is incorrect.

Second box is incorrect.

Third box is correct.

Section 2: Pitch ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Question 2.1

In this question, you are given a note in alto clef, and asked to give the name of the note. This note is C.

Question 2.2

This is an enharmonic question. The enharmonic equivalent of F is E#.

Question 2.3

This is a transposition question. In this question, students are asked to transpose a given bar of melody down a major 2nd.

The key signature for this piece is E flat Major. When we transpose it down a major 2nd, it should be D flat Major (with B, E, A, D, G flat). Since the transposed piece has the key signature of D flat Major, therefore, the key signature is correctly written.

Next, let’s look at how to transpose the other notes down a major 2nd.

Here’s the answer to the transposition question (question 2.3) of the ABRSM Grade 5 Sample paper B:

Original	Transposed down a major 2nd	Compared with given melody
Key signature (E flat Major) —- B, E, A flat	Key signature (D flat Major) — ( B, E, A, D, G flat)	✓
F	E flat	✓
A flat	G flat	✗
C#	B natural	✗
D	C	✓

Question 2.4

For the pieces of melody given:

C is one octave higher than A.

B is one octave higher than C, and 2 octaves higher than A.

Hence, these are the answers:

(a) False

(b) False

(c) True

Section 3: Keys and Scales ABRSM – Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Question 3.1

Here’s the correctly written key signature of B flat minor:

Question 3.2

Here’s the correctly written key signature of B Major:

Question 3.3

In this section, we are asked to determine the key of a piece of melody. Here’s the answers:

(a) E minor

(b) G# minor

(c) F# minor

Question 3.4

In this question, students are asked what are the missing notes at X, and Y.

This is a question on scale of D harmonic minor, ascending scale. In an harmonic minor scale, we’ll sharpen both the 7th note. Here’s the answers:

X: B flat

Y: C#

Question 3.5

In this question, students are asked to give a clef (treble, bass, alto or tenor clef), so that the resulting scale is in a minor key.

Here’s the answer:

(a) alto clef

(b) treble clef

(c) bass clef

Question 3.6

In this question, we are asked whether the chromatic scale is correctly written. Here’s the answers:

(a) True

(b) True

Question 3.7

This questions tests students on the technical names of notes. Here’s the answers:

(a) True

(b) False

(c) True

Section 4: Intervals – ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Question 4.1

(a) major 3rd

(b) minor 9th

(c) compound augmented 5th

Question 4.2

(a) perfect

(b) minor

(c) major

Question 4.3

Section 5: Chords – ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Question 5.1

I, V, II, V, I

Question 5.2

(a) imperfect

(b) perfect

Question 5.3

Ib

IVa

IIa

Section 6: Terms and Signs – ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

Section 6.1

This question is on terms and signs.

Here’s the answers:

Section 7: Music in Context – ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam Sample B

7.1 Only C is correctly rewritten 2 octaves lower

7.2

(a) True

(b) True

(c) True

(d) True

(e) False

7.3 Oboe

7.4

7.5 7

(a) 7

(b) bar 8

More on Grade 5 ABRSM Online Music Theory Exam

• About the exam
• ABRSM Grade 5 Online Practice Paper – Video explanation
• ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Sample Papers Worked Solutions (2020)
  • Paper A
  • Paper B
  • Paper C
  • Paper D
• ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Sample Papers Worked Solutions (2021)
  • Paper A
  • Paper B
  • Paper C