SWARSHALA — ORIGINAL THEORY PAPER, ERROR REVIEW AND RETEST
3 October 2026
Guide: https://swarshala.com/blog/review-music-theory-practice-paper-answers

Original questions and fictional learner records, not copied exam questions or
an official mock. Middle C = C4; crotchet=1, minim=2, quaver=0.5 crotchet beats.

MINIATURE PAPER
Q1. Write C major descending from C5 to C4, including both endpoints. Octave
labels are needed only at the endpoints.
Q2. Name pitch and octave: treble clef, second line from bottom, no accidentals.
Q3. A complete 4/4 bar contains a minim and two beamed quavers. Add exactly one
note to complete it. Name its value and show the sum.
Q4. Fill 3/4 with exactly three notes, each a crotchet or minim; no rests/ties.
Explain the values. Pitches are not specified.

PAPER KEY
1. C5 B A G F E D C4.
2. G4.
3. Crotchet: 2+0.5+0.5+1=4. Existing total is 3; missing amount is 1.
4. Crotchet+crotchet+crotchet: 1+1+1=3. A minim would make three notes total at
least 4. Many pitch sequences are possible because this question fixes no pitch.

THREE FICTIONAL RESPONSES
Amir/Q1: C4 D E F G A B C5; explains descending as “starting on the lower note”.
Bina/Q2: correctly says G4 and second line; submits a note in adjacent space above;
correctly locates G4 on a fresh staff when asked.
Charu/Q3: correctly states minim=2 and quaver=0.5 but totals 2+0.5+0.5 as 4.

REVIEW
Amir: instruction-word misunderstanding supported by his explanation; the row
ascends. Explain descending, then retest direction with another scale.
Bina: evidence supports a notation/entry slip; space 2 is A4, line 2 G4. Check
final placement. A wrong fresh placement would require concept review too.
Charu: arithmetic error despite correct individual values. Total explicitly and
compare to bar length. Missing crotchet. Check values again on fresh material.
Concept counterexample: believing each quaver lasts one crotchet beat on a new
example requires correcting the duration relationship before repeating addition.

ERROR LOG
Original question and response:
What constraint was missed or what differs:
Explanation in my own words:
Evidence for cause: instruction / notation-entry / concept / arithmetic-check
More than one can apply. Do not infer cause from a mark alone.
Correction and reason:
New comparable task:
Independent attempt and observed result:
Next unresolved question:

RETEST — COVER KEY BELOW
R1. G major descending G5 to G4, including the required accidental.
R2. Name bass-clef line 4 with no accidentals, then one neighbouring space.
R3. A 3/4 bar contains two beamed quavers and one crotchet. Add exactly one note
and show the total.
R4. Fill 3/4 with exactly TWO notes, each crotchet or minim, no rests/ties.
Give every ordered value pattern allowed.

RETEST KEY
R1. G5 F# E D C B A G4.
R2. F3. Space 3 below is E3; space 4 above is G3. Either example is valid.
R3. Crotchet: 0.5+0.5+1+1=3. Existing total 2, missing 1.
R4. Minim–crotchet OR crotchet–minim; 2+1=3 or 1+2=3. Both meet the constraints.

An official open-ended answer may differ from a model yet satisfy its task.
Consult full official instructions/marking guidance; this sheet awards no exam marks.
Official Grade 1 scope checked (syllabus printed pages 13–14):
https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=2886
Practice-test/model-answer information:
https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music/theory/digital-music-theory/practice-tests