Rhythm

21 Grade 5 Creative Arts & Sports questions on Rhythm, with worked marking schemes. 21 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   3 marks

   During a music lesson, the teacher claps a pattern and the pupils clap it back exactly.

   (a) Give the name of this call-and-response rhythm activity.

   (b) State two body-percussion sounds the pupils could use instead of clapping.

   (3 marks)

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2. Question 2

   3 marks

   Define the term 'tempo' and give one word (fast or slow) you could use to describe the tempo of (a) a lullaby and (b) a lively marching song.

   (3 marks)

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3. Question 3

   3 marks

   State the number of beats each of the following notes lasts in 4/4 time: (a) crotchet (b) minim (c) semibreve.

   (3 marks)

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4. Question 4

   3 marks

   (a) What is a rest in music?

   (b) Explain why rests are important when performing a rhythmic pattern.

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) A rest is a symbol showing a beat or moment of silence where no sound is made, while the beat keeps going (1 mark). (b) Any two: they give the music breathing space/shape, they help performers stay together, they make the rhythm more interesting, they allow time to breathe or prepare (2 marks).

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   The steady, regular pulse that you can clap or march to throughout a song is called the:

   A. lyric

   B. melody

   C. beat

   D. harmony

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   A minim (half note) is held for:

   A. 2 beats

   B. 1 beat

   C. 4 beats

   D. half a beat

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A short rhythmic pattern that is repeated over and over while a song continues is called an:

   A. anthem

   B. octave

   C. interval

   D. ostinato

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   In music, rhythm is best described as the pattern of:

   A. high and low pitches in a tune

   B. long and short sounds and silences in time

   C. different instruments playing together

   D. loud and soft dynamics only

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   How many quavers (eighth notes) are equal in length to one crotchet?

   A. 4

   B. 1

   C. 3

   D. 2

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    Create your own four-beat rhythmic pattern in 4/4 time using words or note names, and explain how the note lengths add up to four beats.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Award 2 marks for any valid four-beat pattern, e.g. 'ta ta ta-te ta' (crotchet, crotchet, two quavers, crotchet) or 'clap clap clap-clap clap'. Award 2 marks for correctly showing the beats total 4 (e.g. 1 + 1 + (half+half) + 1 = 4 beats).

11. Question 11

    4 marks

    (a) Explain the difference between the beat and the rhythm of a song.

    (b) Give one way a Grade 5 learner can keep a steady beat while singing.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The beat is the steady, even pulse that stays the same throughout the song (2 marks); the rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds and silences that fits over the beat (1 mark). (b) Any one: clapping hands, tapping the desk, marching, nodding the head steadily (1 mark).

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    In simple 4/4 time, a crotchet (quarter note) lasts for how many beats?

    A. 3 beats

    B. 2 beats

    C. 4 beats

    D. 1 beat

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A time signature of 4/4 tells the performer that each bar (measure) contains:

    A. 8 beats

    B. 2 beats

    C. 3 beats

    D. 4 beats

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    4 marks

    Explain what an ostinato is and describe how a class could perform one while singing a familiar song.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    An ostinato is a short rhythmic (or melodic) pattern that is repeated continuously throughout a piece (2 marks). Description: one group repeats a short clapping/percussion pattern over and over (e.g. clap-clap-rest) while the rest of the class sings the song over the top (2 marks).

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    Which of these is an example of body percussion used to create rhythm?

    A. whistling

    B. clapping hands

    C. humming a tune

    D. singing loudly

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    1 mark

    During a song, the pupils suddenly stop making sound for one beat while the beat continues. This moment of silence is shown by a:

    A. tie

    B. accent

    C. rest

    D. slur

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    The music teacher tells the class to play the song faster than before. She is changing the:

    A. dynamics

    B. lyrics

    C. tempo

    D. pitch

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    Wanjiru taps her desk once every second at an even, unchanging speed. She is keeping a:

    A. fast tempo change

    B. syncopation

    C. steady beat

    D. rhythmic rest

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    1 mark

    A semibreve (whole note) in 4/4 time is held for:

    A. 4 beats

    B. 2 beats

    C. 1 beat

    D. 3 beats

    (1 mark)

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20. Question 20

    4 marks

    A Grade 5 group is drumming for the class.

    (a) Explain what happens to the music if some drummers do not keep the same beat.

    (b) Suggest one way the group can stay together on the beat.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The drumming becomes untidy/out of time, the pattern is lost and it sounds confused or messy (2 marks). (b) Any one, well explained: follow a leader/conductor, listen carefully to each other, count aloud together, use a steady clap or metronome to guide them (2 marks).

21. Question 21

    1 mark

    When Otieno claps one note louder and stronger than the others in a pattern, he is adding an:

    A. echo

    B. rest

    C. chord

    D. accent

    (1 mark)

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