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ABRSM Music Theory Grade 7 Mock: Sevenths, Neapolitan, Suspensions, Reading
TUTORZONE ORIGINAL MOCK PAPER · ABRSM MUSIC THEORY GRADE 7
Written to the ABRSM theory syllabus (from 2020): Grade 7 is a 3-hour, 100-mark written exam (Pass 66-79, Merit 80-89, Distinction 90-100). Grade 7 adds all diatonic secondary sevenths, the Neapolitan sixth and the diminished seventh, plus suspensions and decoration. Four questions for 100 marks with model answers.
What is in ABRSM Music Theory Grade 7?
Direct answer: Grade 7 is a 3-hour, 100-mark written exam (Pass 66-79, Merit 80-89, Distinction 90-100), adding secondary sevenths, the Neapolitan sixth, the diminished seventh, suspensions and decoration to G6.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Harmony (figured bass) | Figure a given melody and bass with inner-part movement | ~25 | about 45 min |
| Q2 Rewriting (suspension & decoration) | Add 4-3/7-6 suspensions, passing notes, appoggiaturas | ~15 | about 25 min |
| Q3 Melody writing | Continue a solo opening or compose to a chord progression | ~25 | about 45 min |
| Q4 Score reading | Key, ornaments, chords (incl. sevenths), form and forces | ~35 | about 55 min |
Four questions in 3 hours: about 45 min on harmony, 25 on rewriting, 45 on melody and 55 on score reading, leaving 10 to check.
How this paper was built
This is a TutorZone original mock paper: the questions follow the ABRSM Grade 7 structure and the model answers are our own, not ABRSM papers or marking references.
Notation is letter note-names plus Roman/figured-bass symbols (text); in the real exam write on staves.
Pacing
| Section | Marks | Suggested time | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Harmony (figured bass) | ~25 | fix cadences first, then inner chords | the Neapolitan sixth is bII in first inversion |
| Q2 Rewriting (suspension & decoration) | ~15 | label each decoration | suspension: preparation, suspension, resolution |
| Q3 Melody writing | ~25 | plan phrases and the modulation point | stay within the instrument’s range |
| Q4 Score reading | ~35 | answer each item with a reason | judgement, reason and example |
What is the Neapolitan sixth?
Direct answer: the bII in first inversion (its third in the bass), e.g. in G minor, Ab major in first inversion C-Eb-Ab.
Grade 7 mock: 4 questions (100 marks)
Four questions for 100 marks; notation is letter note-names plus Roman/figured-bass symbols – in the real exam write on staves.
Question 1 (25 marks)
Question 1: harmony (figured bass). In G minor, with the given melody and bass G-Eb-C-D-G (one note per bar, five bars), indicate the chords and inner-part movement (figured bass), using a secondary seventh and the Neapolitan sixth (bII6).
Question 2 (15 marks)
Question 2: rewriting (suspension and decoration). Rewrite the V-I passage adding a 4-3 suspension, a passing note and an appoggiatura, labelling each decoration.
Question 3 (25 marks)
Question 3: melody writing. In Bb major, continue an 8-bar violin melody (from the given opening), or compose to the given progression I-V-vi-IV-ii-V-I; modulate to the dominant F major and end with a perfect cadence.
Question 4 (35 marks)
Question 4: score reading. For a vocal extract (with piano accompaniment): (1) name the key and justify it; (2) identify one ornament and its realisation; (3) describe the chord structure, noting any sevenths; (4) describe the phrase structure and forces.
How is a suspension written correctly?
Direct answer: three steps – preparation, suspension, resolution: prepare on the same note, hold it across the chord, then resolve down by step (4-3, 7-6).
Model answers and marks per question
Question 1
Model answer: i (5/3) -> bVI (5/3) -> bII6 (6/3) -> V (5/3) -> i (5/3): G minor tonic (root) -> Eb major (root) -> Neapolitan sixth (Ab major, 1st inversion, C in the bass) -> D major (root) -> G minor tonic. The Neapolitan sixth is the bII in first inversion, its third in the bass.
Question 2
Model-answer points: (1) 4-3 suspension: hold the 4th (C) over the V chord, resolving down to the 3rd (B) (4). (2) Passing note: a weak-beat note moving by step between chord notes (5). (3) Appoggiatura: an accented non-chord note resolving down by step (6). A suspension has preparation, suspension and resolution.
Question 3
Model-answer points: (1) bars 1-4 stay in Bb major, developing the given figure; (2) introduce E natural as the pivot into F major, with ii-V-I (G minor -> C major -> F major); (3) the last two bars make a perfect cadence (C-F) in F major. Keep the violin line within range and bowable.
Question 4
Model-answer points: (1) Key: from the key signature and cadence (e.g. two flats, ending on Bb) (8). (2) Ornament: an anticipation – the next chord note sounded early on the previous chord’s weak beat (9). (3) Chords: tonic and dominant-seventh alternating, V7 resolving to the tonic (8). (4) Phrase and forces: an antecedent-consequent 4 + 4 pair, soprano solo with piano (10).
How should a seventh resolve?
Direct answer: V7’s leading note resolves up to the tonic and its seventh down to the third – no free leaps.
Where these marks are usually lost
| Mistake | What it looks like | What it costs | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misreading the Neapolitan | Treating bII6 as root position | The Neapolitan sixth is bII in first inversion | Check the bass: bII’s third is in the bass |
| Suspension missing preparation | Writing a 4-3 with no preparation | A suspension has preparation, suspension, resolution | Prepare (same note), suspend, then resolve |
| Seventh resolving wrongly | V7 not resolving to I | The leading note and seventh resolve by tendency | Leading note up to tonic, seventh down to the third |
How to use this paper
First sit: the full 3 hours with no references.
Mark it: check the Neapolitan sixth, suspensions and seventh resolutions.
Second sit: redo three to seven days later, aiming to finish inside 2 h 40 min.
What should I do after finishing this paper?
Direct answer: log errors on the Neapolitan sixth, suspensions and seventh resolutions; redo in three to seven days; and consolidate Grade 6 foundations.
FAQ
Is this an ABRSM paper?
No. The questions and model answers are TutorZone originals, not ABRSM papers or marking references.
What does G7 theory test?
A 3-hour, 100-mark written exam; adds secondary sevenths, Neapolitan sixth, diminished seventh, suspensions and decoration.
How does G7 differ from G6?
G7 adds secondary sevenths, Neapolitan and diminished chords, and tests rewriting (suspensions) and composing to a chord progression.
Official references
| Resource | What to check |
|---|---|
| ABRSM Music Theory syllabus (from 2020, Grades 6-8) | Confirm the G7 harmonic vocabulary and question types |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-abrsm-grade-6-music-theory-mock-paper/ | ABRSM Grade 6 theory mock (the prerequisite for G7) |
Related: practice area · ABRSM Grade 6 theory mock · ABRSM Grade 7 drill guide
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