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NCEA L1 Music study materials
NCEA L1 Music study resources

NCEA L1 Music practice questions

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Question 1Music achievement standards (Level 1)

In standard notation, a piece marked 3/4 has how many crotchet (quarter-note) beats in each bar?

  1. Six
  2. Four
  3. Two
  4. Three Correct answer.

Explanation

A time signature shows beats per bar over the note value receiving the beat, so 3/4 means three crotchet beats in each bar. This gives the characteristic strong-weak-weak feel of a waltz.

Question 2Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A key signature with two sharps (F sharp and C sharp) belongs to which major key?

  1. F major
  2. A major
  3. G major
  4. D major Correct answer.

Explanation

Sharps are added in the order F, C, G, D, A, E, B, and the major key lies a semitone above the final sharp. With F sharp and C sharp, the key is D major.

Question 3Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which interval is produced when two notes are played together that are the same pitch class but in different octaves?

  1. A major third
  2. A perfect fifth
  3. A minor second
  4. An octave Correct answer.

Explanation

Notes an octave apart share the same letter name and pitch class, with the upper note at double the frequency. The interval is therefore called a perfect octave.

Question 4Music achievement standards (Level 1)

What does a dot placed immediately after a notehead do to that note's duration?

  1. Doubles the note's original value
  2. Adds half of the note's original value Correct answer.
  3. Adds one full beat to the note
  4. Shortens the note by half

Explanation

A dot lengthens a note by half of its written value, so a dotted minim lasts three crotchet beats rather than two. The dot never changes the pitch or the beat unit.

Question 5Music achievement standards (Level 1)

In a major scale, which scale degree is described as the leading note?

  1. The fourth degree
  2. The second degree
  3. The fifth degree
  4. The seventh degree Correct answer.

Explanation

The leading note is the seventh degree of the scale and lies a semitone below the tonic in a major key. It is called leading because it tends strongly upward to the tonic.

Question 6Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which dynamic marking tells a performer to play very softly?

  1. cresc.
  2. f
  3. mf
  4. pp Correct answer.

Explanation

Dynamic markings run from pp (pianissimo, very soft) through p, mp, mf, f to ff. The abbreviation pp therefore indicates the softest level among these choices.

Question 7Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A group of performers playing together, such as a string quartet, is best described by which term?

  1. Ensemble Correct answer.
  2. Solo
  3. Cadenza
  4. Ostinato

Explanation

An ensemble is any group of musicians performing together, from a duo to a full orchestra. The term describes the collective group rather than an individual performer.

Question 8Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which family of orchestral instruments produces sound by buzzing lips into a cup or funnel-shaped mouthpiece?

  1. Percussion
  2. Brass Correct answer.
  3. Strings
  4. Woodwind

Explanation

Brass instruments such as the trumpet and trombone are sounded by the player's vibrating lips against a mouthpiece, with pitch changed by valves or slides. The lip buzz is the defining feature of the brass family.

Question 9Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece of music in 6/8 time is best described as having which metre?

  1. Compound duple Correct answer.
  2. Compound triple
  3. Simple quadruple
  4. Simple triple

Explanation

In 6/8 the six quavers group into two main beats of three quavers each, which makes it compound duple. The grouping of three is what defines compound metre.

Question 10Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody moves from C up to G and then back down to C an octave below the starting note. Which description of its contour is most accurate?

  1. It stays within a single tone throughout
  2. It rises a fourth then falls a sixth
  3. It rises a third then falls a fifth
  4. It rises a fifth then falls an octave to the lower tonic Correct answer.

Explanation

C up to G is a perfect fifth, and G down to the C below the starting note is a full octave descent. The contour therefore rises by a fifth and then falls by an octave.

Question 11Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A chord built on the tonic in a major key contains which interval pattern above its root?

  1. Minor third then minor third
  2. Major third then major third
  3. Major third then minor third Correct answer.
  4. Minor third then major third

Explanation

A major triad stacks a major third and then a minor third above the root, giving a major third and perfect fifth overall. This structure defines the major quality of the chord.

Question 12Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a short recurring rhythmic or melodic pattern repeated underneath changing music?

  1. Cadence
  2. Modulation
  3. Ostinato Correct answer.
  4. Sequence

Explanation

An ostinato is a figure repeated persistently, usually in the bass, while other parts change above it. It is a common device in Baroque and popular music alike.

Question 13Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A passage marked crescendo from p to f indicates which change?

  1. A sudden drop to silence
  2. A change from arco to pizzicato
  3. A gradual increase in loudness Correct answer.
  4. A gradual slowing of the tempo

Explanation

Crescendo means growing louder, so the performer moves gradually from soft (p) to loud (f). It concerns dynamics, not tempo or articulation.

Question 14Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which cadence moves from the dominant chord (V) to the tonic chord (I) at the end of a phrase?

  1. Interrupted cadence
  2. Half cadence
  3. Perfect cadence Correct answer.
  4. Plagal cadence

Explanation

A perfect (authentic) cadence is the progression V to I and gives a strong sense of final closure. It is the most conclusive cadence in tonal music.

Question 15Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A performer plays a melody and a second performer plays the same melody starting two bars later. What is this texture called?

  1. Homophony
  2. Imitation Correct answer.
  3. Heterophony
  4. Unison

Explanation

When one part echoes or repeats another part's material slightly later, the texture is imitative. A canon is a strict form of imitation, and the device is common in fugues.

Question 16Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece begins in G major and, without changing the key signature, uses F naturals so that it feels centred on G minor. Which term best describes this?

  1. Change of tempo
  2. Change of instrumentation
  3. Change of mode Correct answer.
  4. Change of metre

Explanation

G major and G minor share the same tonic but differ in mode, so using F naturals shifts the music to the minor mode. This is a modal shift rather than a change of key centre.

Question 17Music achievement standards (Level 1)

In 4/4 time, a syncopated rhythm most typically places an accent where?

  1. On the final beat of every second bar
  2. On a weak beat or between beats Correct answer.
  3. On every strong beat
  4. Only on the first beat of the bar

Explanation

Syncopation accents a weak beat or the off-beat, deliberately contradicting the normal metric stress. This creates the characteristic 'off-kilter' feel of jazz and popular styles.

Question 18Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which marking would a composer use to tell a string player to pluck the strings instead of bowing them?

  1. Tremolo
  2. Legato
  3. Pizzicato Correct answer.
  4. Arco

Explanation

Pizzicato instructs the player to pluck the string with the finger, producing a short, detached sound. Arco is the opposite instruction, returning to bowing.

Question 19Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody in C major uses the notes C, E and G as its main harmonic support throughout. Which chord is functioning as the tonic?

  1. E minor
  2. F major
  3. G major
  4. C major Correct answer.

Explanation

The tonic is the chord built on the key's home note, which in C major is the C major chord (C-E-G). It provides the point of rest to which the music returns.

Question 20Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A composer writes a phrase that ends on the dominant chord and then immediately repeats the same melodic idea a tone higher. Which two devices are combined here?

  1. Perfect cadence and ostinato
  2. Half cadence and sequence Correct answer.
  3. Plagal cadence and inversion
  4. Interrupted cadence and pedal

Explanation

Ending on the dominant leaves the phrase open, which is a half cadence, and restating the idea a step higher is a sequence. Both devices are common in Baroque phrasing.

Question 21Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A four-bar melody is built so that bars one and two form a musical question and bars three and four answer it. Which term describes this structure?

  1. Period Correct answer.
  2. Through-composed
  3. Ostinato
  4. Rondo

Explanation

A period pairs an antecedent phrase (the question) with a consequent phrase (the answer), often ending with a stronger cadence. The balanced pairing of two phrases is its defining feature.

Question 22Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A chord progression uses the notes D, F sharp and A over a bass note of D, and the key is D major. Which Roman numeral labels this chord?

  1. IV
  2. I Correct answer.
  3. vi
  4. V

Explanation

In D major the tonic chord is built on D and contains D, F sharp and A, so it is labelled I. Roman numeral I in any major key denotes the major tonic triad.

Question 23Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A passage alternates between a solo flute line and the full orchestra answering it. Which two terms best describe this arrangement?

  1. Heterophony in a drone
  2. Polyphony in a fugue
  3. Homophony within a canon
  4. Antiphony between solo and tutti Correct answer.

Explanation

Alternation between a soloist and the full ensemble is antiphonal, and tutti refers to the whole orchestra playing. The alternation creates a dialogue between the two forces.

Question 24Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece notated in 3/4 modulates from its tonic of F major to the dominant. Which key has it moved to?

  1. B flat major
  2. D minor
  3. C major Correct answer.
  4. G major

Explanation

The dominant lies a perfect fifth above the tonic, so the dominant of F major is C major. Modulation to the dominant is the most common key change in tonal music.

Question 25Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A composer wants a gradual increase in both loudness and rhythmic activity leading into a climax. Which pair of techniques best achieves this?

  1. Decrescendo combined with augmentation
  2. Crescendo combined with rhythmic diminution Correct answer.
  3. Pedal point combined with a plagal cadence
  4. Staccato combined with ritardando

Explanation

A crescendo raises the dynamic level while rhythmic diminution shortens note values so the music seems to speed up and intensify. Together they build momentum towards a climax.

Question 26Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece of music is marked at a tempo of 60 beats per minute. Which Italian term best describes this tempo?

  1. Allegro
  2. Presto
  3. Largo Correct answer.
  4. Adagio

Explanation

Largo indicates a very slow tempo, typically around 40–60 beats per minute. Adagio is slow but slightly faster, Allegro is fast, and Presto is very fast. Therefore, 60 bpm is best described as Largo.

Question 27Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a single melodic line performed by one singer without accompaniment?

  1. Monophony Correct answer.
  2. Polyphony
  3. Heterophony
  4. Homophony

Explanation

Monophony is a texture consisting of a single melodic line, whether performed by one or many in unison. Homophony involves a melody with chordal accompaniment, polyphony combines independent melodic lines, and heterophony features simultaneous variations of the same melody. Thus, a solo unaccompanied melody is monophonic.

Question 28Music achievement standards (Level 1)

In a major key, which chord is built on the fifth degree of the scale?

  1. Subdominant
  2. Mediant
  3. Tonic
  4. Dominant Correct answer.

Explanation

The dominant chord is built on the fifth degree of the scale. The tonic is on the first degree, the subdominant on the fourth, and the mediant on the third. Therefore, the chord on the fifth degree is the dominant.

Question 29Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which articulation marking indicates that a note should be played short and detached?

  1. Tenuto
  2. Slur
  3. Staccato Correct answer.
  4. Tie

Explanation

Staccato is indicated by a dot above or below the note and means the note is played short and detached. A slur indicates legato phrasing, a tie connects notes of the same pitch, and tenuto means hold the note for its full value. Thus, staccato is the correct term.

Question 30Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece is in the key of D major. Which note is the leading tone?

  1. C
  2. B
  3. C sharp Correct answer.
  4. E

Explanation

The leading tone is the seventh degree of the scale, one semitone below the tonic. In D major, the seventh degree is C sharp. Therefore, C sharp is the leading tone.

Question 31Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a chord progression that moves from the tonic (I) to the subdominant (IV) and back to the tonic (I)?

  1. Plagal cadence Correct answer.
  2. Perfect cadence
  3. Interrupted cadence
  4. Imperfect cadence

Explanation

A plagal cadence moves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I). A perfect cadence is V–I, an interrupted cadence is V–vi, and an imperfect cadence ends on V. Therefore, the I–IV–I progression includes a plagal cadence.

Question 32Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which dynamic marking indicates that a passage should be played moderately soft?

  1. mp Correct answer.
  2. pp
  3. mf
  4. p

Explanation

The marking mp stands for mezzo-piano, meaning moderately soft. pp is pianissimo (very soft), p is piano (soft), and mf is mezzo-forte (moderately loud). Therefore, mp is the correct marking for moderately soft.

Question 33Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a form in which a main theme returns repeatedly between contrasting sections?

  1. Binary form
  2. Ternary form
  3. Rondo form Correct answer.
  4. Through-composed

Explanation

Rondo form is characterised by a recurring main theme (the refrain) that alternates with contrasting episodes, often as ABACA. Binary form has two sections, ternary has three, and through-composed has no repeated sections. Thus, rondo form fits the description.

Question 34Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody in C major uses the notes C, D, E, G, and A as its main melodic material. Which pentatonic scale is this?

  1. Minor pentatonic
  2. Whole-tone scale
  3. Blues scale
  4. Major pentatonic Correct answer.

Explanation

The major pentatonic scale consists of the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth degrees of the major scale. In C major, these are C, D, E, G, and A. Therefore, this is the C major pentatonic scale.

Question 35Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece is in 3/4 time. Which description best characterises its metre?

  1. Compound duple
  2. Compound triple
  3. Simple duple
  4. Simple triple Correct answer.

Explanation

3/4 time has three beats per bar, each divisible by two, so it is simple triple metre. Simple duple has two beats per bar, compound duple has two dotted beats per bar, and compound triple has three dotted beats per bar. Thus, 3/4 is simple triple.

Question 36Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A chord consists of the notes E, G, and B. In the key of C major, which Roman numeral represents this chord?

  1. ii
  2. I
  3. V
  4. iii Correct answer.

Explanation

In C major, the mediant chord (iii) is built on E and contains the notes E, G, and B. The tonic (I) is C major, the supertonic (ii) is D minor, and the dominant (V) is G major. Therefore, the chord is iii.

Question 37Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody moves by step up from C to D, then leaps down to G, and then steps up to A. Which term best describes this melodic movement?

  1. Disjunct Correct answer.
  2. Conjunct
  3. Chromatic
  4. Scalic

Explanation

Disjunct motion involves melodic leaps, such as the leap from D down to G. Conjunct motion moves only by step, scalic motion follows a scale, and chromatic motion uses semitones outside the key. Because the melody includes a leap, it is disjunct.

Question 38Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A phrase ends with the chords G major followed by C major in the key of C major. Which cadence is this?

  1. Imperfect cadence
  2. Plagal cadence
  3. Perfect cadence Correct answer.
  4. Interrupted cadence

Explanation

A perfect cadence moves from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I). In C major, G major is the dominant and C major is the tonic, so G–C is a perfect cadence. A plagal cadence is IV–I, an imperfect cadence ends on V, and an interrupted cadence is V–vi.

Question 39Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece in 4/4 time features a rhythm where the second beat is consistently accented instead of the first and third. Which term best describes this effect?

  1. Hemiola
  2. Rubato
  3. Syncopation Correct answer.
  4. Polyrhythm

Explanation

Syncopation occurs when accents are placed on normally unaccented beats, such as the second beat in 4/4. Polyrhythm involves simultaneous conflicting rhythms, hemiola is a 3:2 rhythmic relationship, and rubato is flexible tempo. Thus, the accent on the second beat is syncopation.

Question 40Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a texture where all voices move together in the same rhythm, forming chords?

  1. Homophonic Correct answer.
  2. Monophonic
  3. Polyphonic
  4. Heterophonic

Explanation

Homophonic texture features a primary melody with chordal accompaniment, and in chordal homophony, all voices move in the same rhythm. Polyphony combines independent melodic lines, monophony is a single line, and heterophony is simultaneous variation. Therefore, homophonic is correct.

Question 41Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A composer writes a melody that begins on the third degree of the scale and ends on the tonic. Which term best describes this melodic shape?

  1. Ascending contour
  2. Arch contour
  3. Descending contour Correct answer.
  4. Undulating contour

Explanation

If the melody begins on the third degree and ends on the tonic, which is lower, the overall contour is descending. An arch contour rises then falls, an ascending contour rises overall, and an undulating contour moves up and down repeatedly. Thus, the shape is descending.

Question 42Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which instrument is a member of the woodwind family and uses a single reed?

  1. Flute
  2. Clarinet Correct answer.
  3. Bassoon
  4. Oboe

Explanation

The clarinet is a woodwind instrument that uses a single reed attached to a mouthpiece. The flute produces sound without a reed, the oboe uses a double reed, and the bassoon also uses a double reed. Therefore, the clarinet is the correct answer.

Question 43Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A piece in 6/8 time has a recurring rhythm of three eighth notes per beat. Which term best describes this rhythm?

  1. Simple
  2. Free
  3. Irregular
  4. Compound Correct answer.

Explanation

6/8 time is compound duple metre, where each beat divides into three eighth notes. Simple metre divides each beat into two, irregular metre has inconsistent beat groupings, and free metre lacks a regular pulse. Thus, the rhythm is compound.

Question 44Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a short melodic or rhythmic idea that is repeated throughout a piece, often associated with a character or idea?

  1. Ostinato
  2. Motif
  3. Riff
  4. Leitmotif Correct answer.

Explanation

A leitmotif is a recurring musical idea associated with a particular character, place, or concept, commonly used in opera and film. An ostinato is a repeated rhythmic or melodic pattern, a riff is a short repeated phrase in popular music, and a motif is a short melodic idea. The association with a character makes leitmotif the best answer.

Question 45Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A chord progression in a minor key uses the chords i, iv, and V. Which scale is the harmonic foundation for this progression?

  1. Melodic minor
  2. Dorian mode
  3. Natural minor
  4. Harmonic minor Correct answer.

Explanation

The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree of the natural minor scale, creating a major V chord. In a progression with i, iv, and V, the V chord is major, which requires the raised seventh of the harmonic minor. The natural minor would produce a minor v chord, melodic minor varies ascending and descending, and Dorian has a raised sixth. Therefore, harmonic minor is the foundation.

Question 46Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody in G major uses the notes G, A, B, D, E, and F sharp as its main material. Which scale is this?

  1. G major pentatonic
  2. G Lydian
  3. G major Correct answer.
  4. G Mixolydian

Explanation

The notes G, A, B, D, E, and F sharp are the first six notes of the G major scale. The G major pentatonic would omit C and F sharp, G Lydian would have C sharp, and G Mixolydian would have F natural. Therefore, this is the G major scale.

Question 47Music achievement standards (Level 1)

Which term describes a form in which a piece is built from a single short melodic idea that is continually transformed?

  1. Sonata form
  2. Fugue
  3. Theme and variations Correct answer.
  4. Strophic form

Explanation

Theme and variations form presents a theme and then repeats it with modifications in each variation. Strophic form repeats the same music for each verse, sonata form has exposition, development, and recapitulation, and a fugue is a contrapuntal form based on a subject. Thus, theme and variations best fits the description.

Question 48Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A passage in 5/4 time alternates between groups of 3 beats and 2 beats. Which term best describes this metre?

  1. Simple
  2. Compound
  3. Duple
  4. Irregular Correct answer.

Explanation

Irregular metre occurs when beats are grouped in uneven patterns, such as 3+2 in 5/4. Compound metre divides each beat into three, simple metre divides each beat into two, and duple metre has two beats per bar. Therefore, the alternating grouping makes the metre irregular.

Question 49Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A chord consists of the notes B, D, F, and A. In the key of C major, which Roman numeral represents this chord?

  1. ii7
  2. IV7
  3. V7
  4. vii°7 Correct answer.

Explanation

In C major, the chord built on B is the leading-tone chord, which is diminished. With the added seventh (A), it becomes a half-diminished seventh chord, denoted viiø7, but often simplified as vii°7. The notes B, D, F, and A form the vii°7 chord in C major. Therefore, the correct Roman numeral is vii°7.

Question 50Music achievement standards (Level 1)

A melody in A minor uses the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G sharp. Which scale is this?

  1. A melodic minor ascending
  2. A natural minor
  3. A harmonic minor Correct answer.
  4. A Dorian

Explanation

The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree of the natural minor scale. In A minor, the seventh degree is G, so the harmonic minor has G sharp. The natural minor would have G natural, the melodic minor ascending has F sharp and G sharp, and Dorian has F sharp and G natural. Thus, this is A harmonic minor.