The Orchestra: Instrument Families & Sound Production
The Orchestra: Instrument Families & Sound Production is one of 9 topics in the Grade 9 Creative Arts CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What creates the initial sound in a string instrument?
A vibrating string, set in motion by bowing, plucking, or striking
Air blown across a reed
The vibration of the player's lips
A struck drumhead
Answer: A vibrating string, set in motion by bowing, plucking, or striking — In the string family, sound begins with a vibrating string, set in motion by bowing, plucking, or striking.
Easy
2. How does a flute produce sound?
By a player blowing air directly across a hole
By a reed vibrating
By the player's lips buzzing against a mouthpiece
By a string being plucked
Answer: By a player blowing air directly across a hole — The flute produces sound when a player blows air directly across a hole, similar to blowing across the top of a bottle.
Medium
3. Name the thin strip of cane or synthetic material that vibrates when air is blown across or through it in instruments like the clarinet, oboe, and saxophone.
Answer: reed — A reed is a thin strip of cane or synthetic material that vibrates rapidly when air passes through or across it, producing sound in instruments like the clarinet, oboe, and saxophone.
