Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Music

Leaving Cert Music: Terms, signs & directions

How often Terms, signs & directions 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

Terms, signs & directions, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Terms, signs & directions.

(a)What does rallentando (rall.) mean?
  1. Gradually getting louder
  2. Gradually slowing down
  3. Return to the original speed
(b)What does a tempo mean?
  1. Gradually getting faster
  2. In strict time, like a march
  3. Return to the original speed
(c)What does a pause (fermata) over a note tell the performer?
  1. Hold the note longer than its written value
  2. Leave the note out and rest in its place
  3. Play the note very short and detached
Show the answers

(a) Gradually slowing down

(b) Return to the original speed

(c) Hold the note longer than its written value

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Terms, signs & directions.

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
2025Q1, Q2, Q3
2024Q1, Q2, Q3
2023Q1, Q2, Q3
2022Q1, Q2, Q3
2021Q1, Q2, Q3
2019Q1, Q2, Q3
2018Q1, Q2, Q3
2017Q1, Q2, Q3
2016Q1, Q2, Q3

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

More Terms, signs & directions questions

Terms, signs & directions, 3 marks

You want the last phrase of your melody to fade away. Which direction fits?

  1. Crescendo
  2. Sforzando
  3. Diminuendo
Show the answer

Diminuendo

Diminuendo (or decrescendo) means gradually softer. Examiners reward dynamics that suit the shape of each phrase, e.g. building to the climax, then fading.

Terms, signs & directions, 2 marks

What does Andante mean?

  1. Very slowly and broadly
  2. At a walking pace
  3. Very fast
Show the answer

At a walking pace

Andante comes from the Italian for walking: a moderate, flowing speed, slower than Allegretto and faster than Adagio.

Terms, signs & directions, 2 marks

What does mezzo piano (mp) mean?

  1. Moderately soft
  2. Very soft
  3. Moderately loud
Show the answer

Moderately soft

Mezzo means half or moderately. The scale runs pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, so mp sits just above piano and below mezzo forte.

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
2025Q1, Q2, Q3
2024Q1, Q2, Q3
2023Q1, Q2, Q3
2022Q1, Q2, Q3
2021Q1, Q2, Q3
2019Q1, Q2, Q3
2018Q1, Q2, Q3
2017Q1, Q2, Q3
2016Q1, Q2, Q3

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

More Terms, signs & directions questions

Terms, signs & directions, 2 marks

What does allegro mean?

  1. Slow
  2. At a walking pace
  3. Fast and lively
Show the answer

Fast and lively

Allegro is Italian for cheerful. It is a common fast tempo, for example in the first movement of a concerto.

Terms, signs & directions, 2 marks

What does andante mean?

  1. Gradually getting slower
  2. At a walking pace
  3. Very fast
Show the answer

At a walking pace

Andante comes from the Italian word for walking. It is a moderate, flowing tempo.

Terms, signs & directions, 2 marks

What does adagio mean?

  1. Slow
  2. Fast
  3. Very loud
Show the answer

Slow

Adagio means slow, at ease. The second movement of Mozart's K.488 is marked Adagio.

Other Music topics

All of Leaving Cert Music