Kenyan Folk Song
18 Grade 7 Creative Arts & Sports questions on Kenyan Folk Song, with worked marking schemes. 18 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markFarmers sing together while digging to make work lighter and keep a steady rhythm. This type of Kenyan folk song is a:
A. Dirge
B. Work song
C. Lullaby
D. Praise song for a football team
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring a folk song performance, dancers may add movement and colour through:
A. Costumes and props
B. Switching off the music
C. Reading textbooks
D. Silence and stillness only
(1 mark)
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6 marksA cultural day is being organised at Mwangaza Junior School and the Grade 7 learners decide to perform a Kenyan folk song from one of the communities in Kenya.
(a) State TWO occasions during which Kenyan folk songs are traditionally performed. (2 marks)
(b) Describe FOUR features (characteristics) of a Kenyan folk song. (4 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any TWO occasions: - During weddings/marriage ceremonies. - During initiation/circumcision ceremonies. - During the birth/naming of a child. - During funerals or mourning. - During harvesting or planting (work songs). - During war or victory celebrations. - During religious/worship ceremonies. (b) Any FOUR features of a Kenyan folk song: - It is sung in a local/vernacular language of a community. - It uses the call-and-response (soloist and chorus) style. - It is functional/has a purpose tied to an occasion (e.g. work, worship, ceremony). - It is passed on orally from one generation to the next (no written notation). - It is accompanied by traditional instruments such as drums, rattles and horns. - It is often accompanied by dance, clapping and body movement. - It uses repetition of words and phrases. - It has no known/single composer (it belongs to the community).
Question 4
1 markA Kenyan folk song is BEST described as a song that is:
A. Played only on electric guitars
B. Written only in English by one author
C. Composed recently by a pop star
D. Traditional to a community and passed down orally through generations
(1 mark)
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1 markFolk songs are described as being transmitted 'orally'. This means they are:
A. Downloaded from the internet
B. Printed in newspapers
C. Passed on by word of mouth from one generation to another
D. Kept secret and never sung
(1 mark)
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4 marksKenyan folk songs are classified according to their function in society.
(a) Name THREE types (categories) of Kenyan folk songs.
(b) State the occasion on which ONE of them is performed.
(4 marks)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
1 markA song performed during a burial ceremony to mourn the dead is known as a:
A. Wedding song
B. Dirge
C. Lullaby
D. Circumcision song
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
4 marksA Grade 7 class is preparing a Kenyan folk song to perform during a cultural day at their school.
(a) State TWO features that are characteristic of Kenyan folk songs. (2 marks)
(b) Give TWO functions (purposes) of folk songs in a Kenyan community. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two of: they are sung in a local/vernacular language; they use call-and-response (soloist and chorus); they are accompanied by indigenous instruments such as drums; they are usually accompanied by dance and body movement; they are passed on orally from generation to generation; they often have repeated phrases. (b) Any two of: to educate/teach values and morals; to entertain; to accompany work (work songs); to mark ceremonies such as initiation, weddings or harvest; to praise or worship; to communicate news or pass on history and culture.
Question 9
1 markA folk song sung by mothers to calm babies to sleep is classified as a:
A. Work song
B. War song
C. Lullaby
D. Wedding song
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 10
6 marksYour class is preparing to perform a Kenyan folk song at a school function. Describe THREE features you should include to make the performance authentic and lively.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
2 marks per feature, max 6. Accept: use of traditional instruments (e.g. drums, rattles); call-and-response between soloist and group; appropriate traditional costumes/regalia; matching dance movements and formations; use of props/ornaments; singing in the community language; ululation/vocal ornaments. Feature must be explained.
Question 11
1 markA music teacher asks learners to describe the features of Kenyan folk songs. Which of the following is a typical feature of a Kenyan folk song?
A. It is passed on orally from generation to generation and is communal
B. It is composed and copyrighted by one named author
C. It is always sung in English with a piano
D. It has no purpose in the community
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 12
1 markYour class is studying Kenyan folk songs. Which of the following is a typical feature of a traditional Kenyan folk song?
A. It is always sung in English by one person
B. It is passed down orally and often uses call-and-response
C. It must be accompanied by a piano only
D. It has no connection to community activities
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 13
1 markAt a community wedding, elders perform a song that praises the bride and gives advice to the couple. Based on its function, this Kenyan folk song would best be classified as a:
A. Work song
B. Wedding (ceremonial) song
C. War song
D. Lullaby
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 14
6 marksA learner claims folk songs are only for entertainment. Using examples, explain how Kenyan folk songs also serve educational and social functions.
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Up to 6 marks; 2 marks per well-explained function with example. Educational: teach morals, skills and history (e.g. initiation songs teach expected adult behaviour). Social: unite people and mark occasions (e.g. wedding songs celebrate marriage; work songs coordinate communal labour). Cultural: preserve identity and language. Any two functions with examples, well explained.
Question 15
1 markWhich of the following is a common purpose of Kenyan folk songs?
A. To advertise mobile phones
B. To accompany occasions such as weddings, work and initiation
C. To teach computer coding
D. To report football scores
(1 mark)
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4 marksExplain TWO reasons why it is important to preserve Kenyan folk songs.
(4 marks)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 17
1 markWhich instrument is MOST commonly used to accompany traditional Kenyan folk songs?
A. Descant recorder
B. Violin
C. Drum
D. Electric keyboard
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 18
1 markIn many Kenyan folk songs, one singer sings a line and the group answers back. This performance style is called:
A. Call and response
B. A duet only
C. Solo recital
D. Silent reading
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
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