ISC 2025 Western Music Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is ISC Class 12 Western Music Paper 1 (Theory), code 874A, from the 2025 CISCE board examination. It carries 70 marks and runs for three hours, with fifteen minutes extra for reading only. All 12 questions are compulsory. Section A has fourteen one-mark items, including multiple choice and true-or-false statements on Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D major. Section B has seven four-mark questions, with a choice in two of them, on modulation, figured bass, sonata form and set works. Section C has four seven-mark questions, one with an alternative: a melody in C major, four-part harmony, figured bass, and an analysis of that symphony. Set works include Schubert's Earl King and Bach's Prelude and Fugue No. 16 in G minor. This copy has the questions only.

Exam

ISC Class 12

Subject

Western Music

Year

2025

Paper code

874A

Maximum marks

70

Time allowed

3 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

12

Pages

8

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Section A

  14 marks

  Question 1: fourteen one-mark items, including multiple choice, a three-part true-or-false question and short written answers

• Section B

  28 marks

  Questions 2–8, four marks each; an internal choice in Question 2 and a choice of one out of three in Question 6

• Section C

  28 marks

  Questions 9–12, seven marks each, on melody writing, harmony, figured bass and Beethoven; an internal choice in Question 11

Topics covered

• Dominant seventh chords and inversions
• Figured bass
• Scale degrees and diatonic chords
• Modulation and pivot chords
• Unessential notes
• Sonata form
• Beethoven Symphony No. 2
• Schubert's Earl King
• Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 16
• César Franck Violin Sonata
• Melody writing and four-part harmony

Questions from this paper

1. Write a short note on pivot modulation and, with an example, show how a pivot modulation takes place.
2. Mention any two types of unessential notes and explain their importance in music.
3. Explain the structure of sonata form in the classical era.
4. How does Schubert express the boy's fear of the Earl King?
5. Write a melody in C major for the words: One road leads to London, one road leads to Wales, my road leads me seawards to the white dipping sails.
6. Analyse all four movements of Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D major.