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Subjects · Leaving Cert Music

Leaving Cert Music: Setting a given text

How often Setting a given text comes up on the Music papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Setting a given text, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Setting a given text.

(a)What is a melisma?
  1. One note sung to each syllable
  2. Several notes sung to one syllable
  3. A spoken line heard over the music
(b)A line of text begins with an unstressed word such as the. How should the melody begin?
  1. With a long held note on beat 1
  2. On the first beat of a full bar
  3. With an anacrusis (upbeat)
(c)When setting words to music, stressed syllables should fall on which beats?
  1. Strong beats
  2. Only on upbeats
  3. Weak beats
Show the answers

(a) Several notes sung to one syllable

(b) With an anacrusis (upbeat)

(c) Strong beats

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Setting a given text.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2
2024Q2
2023Q2
2022Q2
2021Q2
2019Q2
2018Q2
2017Q2
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Setting a given text questions

Setting a given text, 2 marks

What is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse called?

  1. Rhyme
  2. Cadence
  3. Metre
Show the answer

Metre

The metre of the words suggests the musical metre: a da-DUM pattern suits an upbeat, while DUM-da-da patterns can suit 3/4 or 6/8.

Setting a given text, 3 marks

In 6/8, how does the word beautiful (BEAU-ti-ful) fit most naturally?

  1. One long note for all three syllables
  2. Three quavers with BEAU on the beat
  3. Three quavers with FUL on the beat
Show the answer

Three quavers with BEAU on the beat

The stressed syllable BEAU takes the start of the dotted-crotchet beat and the weak syllables -ti-ful follow, matching the spoken rhythm.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2
2024Q2
2023Q2
2022Q2
2021Q2
2019Q2
2018Q2
2017Q2
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Setting a given text questions

Setting a given text, 2 marks

When setting words to music, where should stressed syllables go?

  1. On weak beats
  2. Only on the anacrusis
  3. On strong beats
Show the answer

On strong beats

Stressed syllables on strong beats, such as beat 1, make the words sound natural when sung. Stress on a weak beat sounds awkward.

Setting a given text, 2 marks

What is a syllabic setting of words?

  1. Spoken words with no pitch
  2. One note for each syllable
  3. Many notes on one syllable
Show the answer

One note for each syllable

Syllabic means one note per syllable, which keeps the words clear. Many notes on one syllable is called a melisma.

Setting a given text, 3 marks

The word morning is stressed MOR-ning. How should it fit in 3/4?

  1. MOR on beat 1, ning on beat 2
  2. MOR on beat 3, ning on beat 1
  3. Both syllables on beat 3
Show the answer

MOR on beat 1, ning on beat 2

The stressed syllable MOR goes on the strong first beat and the weak -ning follows on beat 2. Putting -ning on beat 1 would stress the wrong syllable.

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