Here, you’ll find the answers, and explanations to the questions in Music Theory Sample Papers (2021), 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 4/4 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 crotchet beats to crotchet beats. To do so, we’ll add triplet signs to groups of notes that have time value equal to that of a dotted crotchet, also we’ll remove the duplet signs.

Hence, the answer for question 1.2 is:

Question 1.3

a. In 6/16, there are 2 dotted-quaver beats in a bar.

b. In 3/2, the following (below) is equal to 1 minim beat(s).

Question 1.4

In this question, students are tested on the grouping of notes in 9/8 time. To group notes in 9/8 time, they should be grouped 3 quaver beats by 3 quaver beats.

The correct grouping of 9/8 time is this:

Question 1.5

The first box is incorrect.

Second box is correct.

Third box is incorrect.

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

Question 2.1

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

Question 2.2

This is an enharmonic question. The enharmonic equivalent of G double sharp is B double flat.

Question 2.3

This is a transposition question. In this question, students are asked to transpose a given bar of melody up a minor 3rd.

The key signature for this piece is F Major. When we transpose it up a minor 3rd, it should be A flat Major (with B, E, A and D flat). Since the transposed piece has the key signature of A flat Major, therefore, the key signature is correctly written.

Next, let’s look at how to transpose the other notes up a minor 3rd.

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

Original	Transposed up a minor 3rd	Compared with given melody
Key signature (F Major) — B flat	Key signature (A flat Major) — B, E, A and D flat	✓
A	C	✓
F	A flat	✗
C#	E natural	✗
D	F	✓

Question 2.4

For the pieces of melody given:

A is one octave lower than B.

B is one octave lower than C.

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 Major:

Question 3.2

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

Question 3.3

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

(a) D flat Major

(b) E 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 F# melodic minor, ascending scale. For an ascending melodic minor scale, the 6th and 7th notes should be sharpened. Here’s the answers:

X: D#

Y: E#

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) bass clef

(c) treble clef

Question 3.6

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

(a) True

(b) False

Question 3.7

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

(a) False

(b) True

(c) False

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

Question 4.1

(a) minor 7th

(b) compound diminished 5th

(c) major 3rd

Question 4.2

(a) minor

(b) diminished

(c) minor

Question 4.3

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

Question 5.1

IV, I, II, V, I

Question 5.2

(a) imperfect

(b) perfect

Question 5.3

IVa

Ic

Vb

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 A and C are correctly written 2 octaves higher.

7.2

(a) True

(b) True

(c) True

(d) False

(e) True

7.3 cello

7.4 4

7.5

(a) bar 5

(b) bar 6

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