ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Paper: Keys, Intervals, Rhythm, Chords, Transposition And Terms (100 Marks)

ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Paper: Keys, Intervals, Rhythm, Chords, Transposition and Terms (100 marks)

2026-11-12

Music Theory – Grade 5 Practice

ABRSM Grade 5 theory paper: 6 questions, 25 parts, 100 marks, 60 minutes; key signatures, intervals, rhythm, triads, cadences and transposition, with full answers.

Download　Question paper PDF　|　Answer key PDF

Paper details　

Part 1: Key Signatures and Scales (16 marks)

Answer the following questions about key signatures. When you name a key signature, state the number of sharps or flats and the notes involved.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
1	(a) Write down the key signature of A major.	Answer: A major has 3 sharps, on F, C and G (F sharp, C sharp, G sharp). The fixed order of sharps is F, C, G, D, A, E, B.
2	(b) Write down the key signature of E flat major.	Answer: E flat major has 3 flats, on B, E and A (B flat, E flat, A flat). The fixed order of flats is B, E, A, D, G, C, F.
3	(c) Write down the key signature of F sharp minor and name its relative major.	Answer: F sharp minor has 3 sharps (F sharp, C sharp, G sharp), the same key signature as A major, so its relative major is A major, a minor third above the tonic.
4	(d) Write down the key signature of C sharp minor.	Answer: C sharp minor has 4 sharps, on F, C, G and D. Its relative major is E major.

Part 2: Intervals (16 marks)

All intervals below are ascending. Name each interval by number and quality, and check it with the number of semitones.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
5	(a) From C up to A.	Answer: A major sixth, 9 semitones. A sixth from C to A, and a major sixth contains 9 semitones.
6	(b) From D up to F.	Answer: A minor third, 3 semitones. D to F is a third containing only 3 semitones, so it is minor, not major.
7	(c) From B up to F.	Answer: A diminished fifth, 6 semitones. B to F is a fifth; a perfect fifth has 7 semitones, one fewer makes it diminished.
8	(d) From E flat up to B flat.	Answer: A perfect fifth, 7 semitones. Both notes are lowered, so the quality is unchanged and the interval stays perfect.

Part 3: Time and Rhythm (18 marks)

Answer the following questions about time signatures, note values and rhythmic features.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
9	(a) How many quavers are there in one bar of 6/8?	Answer: 6 quavers. 6/8 is compound duple time: two main beats per bar, each of 3 quavers.
10	(b) How many quavers equal one dotted crotchet?	Answer: 3 quavers. A dot adds half the value; a crotchet is 2 quavers, plus half gives 3.
11	(c) In 4/4, how many beats do a minim, a crotchet and two quavers add up to?	Answer: 4 beats. The minim is 2 beats, the crotchet 1 beat and the two quavers 1 beat, giving 2 + 1 + 1 = 4 beats, a full bar.
12	(d) State briefly the difference between 3/4 and 6/8.	Answer: 3/4 is simple triple time with 3 crotchet beats per bar; 6/8 is compound duple time with 2 dotted-crotchet beats, each of 3 quavers, so the accents fall differently.
13	(e) Explain the meaning of syncopation.	Answer: Syncopation places the accent on a weak beat or between beats, shifting the metric weight and creating an unstable rhythmic effect.

Part 4: Chords and Cadences (18 marks)

The questions below concern primary triads and cadences in major keys. Give all triads in root position.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
14	(a) Name the primary triads I, IV and V in G major.	Answer: I is G major, IV is C major and V is D major. All three are major triads.
15	(b) Write down the three notes of the dominant triad in C major.	Answer: G, B and D. The dominant of C major is built on G, with B a third above and D a third above that, giving a G major triad.
16	(c) What is a cadence moving from chord V to chord I called?	Answer: A perfect cadence. It is the strongest close, typically used at the end of a phrase or section.
17	(d) What is a cadence moving from chord IV to chord I called?	Answer: A plagal cadence, sometimes called the amen cadence, which closes more gently than a perfect cadence.

Part 5: Transposition (16 marks)

Answer the following questions on transposing instruments and transposition of keys, naming the new key.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
18	(a) When a B flat clarinet plays a written C, what note sounds?	Answer: B flat sounds, a major second lower. A B flat instrument sounds a major second below the written note.
19	(b) When an F horn plays a written G, what note sounds?	Answer: C sounds, a perfect fifth lower. An F instrument sounds a perfect fifth below the written note.
20	(c) A piece in D major is transposed up a minor second. What is the new key?	Answer: E flat major. D raised by one semitone is E flat, and the mode stays major.
21	(d) A piece in A minor is transposed down a minor third. What is the new key?	Answer: F sharp minor. A lowered by 3 semitones is F sharp, and the minor mode is kept.

Part 6: Terms and Signs (16 marks)

Explain the meaning of the following musical terms and signs.

#	Question	Answer and marking notes
22	(a) Explain the terms allegro and adagio.	Answer: Allegro means fast and lively; adagio means slow and at ease. Both are tempo terms.
23	(b) Explain the terms crescendo and diminuendo.	Answer: Crescendo means gradually getting louder; diminuendo means gradually getting softer. Both are changes of dynamics.
24	(c) Explain the sign 8va.	Answer: 8va means play the passage an octave higher than written; written below the staff it means an octave lower.
25	(d) State briefly the difference between an acciaccatura and a trill.	Answer: An acciaccatura is a very short grace note played quickly before the main note; a trill alternates rapidly between the main note and the note above for a longer span.

Find a tutor — free Tutor Registration →

A TutorZone practice paper; original questions and passages, not publisher material.