Here, you’ll find the answers, and explanations to the questions in Music Theory Sample Papers (2021), ABRSM Grade 5 Paper C.

Table of contents for Music Theory Grade 5 Sample Paper C

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

---

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

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 9/16 time:

Question 1.1 (c)

The time signature is 5/4 time:

Question 1.2

This question is on compound vs simple time.

In this question we are given 4/4 time (simple time), and asked to convert it to compound time. To convert it to compound time, it’ll be 12/8 time.

Next, we’ll need to convert all simple time to compound time. This means that we’ll need to convert all crotchet beats to dotted crotchet beats. To do so, we’ll remove triplet signs, and add duplet signs to group of notes with note value equal to a crotchet.

Hence, the answer for question 1.2 is:

Question 1.3

a. In 6/8, the following (below) is equal to 1 dotted-crotchet beats.

b. A breve is equal to 32 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 beat.

The correct grouping of 4/4 time is this:

Question 1.5

The first box is correct.

Second box is incorrect.

Third box is correct.

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

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 F is G 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 major 2nd.

The key signature for this piece is A Major. When we transpose it up a major 2nd, it should be B Major (with F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). Since the transposed piece has the key signature of D Major, therefore, the key signature is incorrectly written.

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

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

Original	Transposed up a major 2nd	Compared with given melody
Key signature (A Major) — F#, C#, G#	Key signature (B Major) — F#, C#, G#, D#, A#	✗
B	C# (no need to write the #, as this is covered by the key signature)	✓
G	A	✓
F#	G#	✗
C#	D#	✓

Question 2.4

For the pieces of melody given:

B is one octave higher than A and C.

A and C are at the same pitch.

Hence, these are the answers:

(a) True

(b) False

(c) False

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

Question 3.1

Here’s the correctly written key signature of D flat Major:

Question 3.2

Here’s the correctly written key signature of F# Major:

Question 3.3

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

(a) B flat Major

(b) B Major

(c) G 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# harmonic minor, descending scale. For an harmonic minor scale, the 7th notes should be sharpened. Here’s the answers:

X: E#

Y: G#

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) bass clef

(b) alto 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) False

(b) True

Question 3.7

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

(a) True

(b) False

(c) False

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

Question 4.1

(a) compound augmented 5th

(b) diminished 3rd

(c) major 6th

Question 4.2

(a) minor

(b) augmented

(c) perfect

Question 4.3

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

Question 5.1

II, V, IV, V, I

Question 5.2

(a) plagal

(b) imperfect

Question 5.3

IIa

IVa

Ic

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

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 C

7.1 A, B and C are correctly written 1 octave lower.

7.2

(a) False

(b) False

(c) True

(d) False

(e) False

7.3 oboe

7.4 9

7.5

(a) bar 5

(b) bar 7

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