Is there a set technique that the examiners are looking for in the Grade 5 theory cadence question? Or can it be any technique that will work? I am doing this exam without a teacher so I dont have anyone to check with.Hope you all can help. Cheers,Mike.

Do you mean regarding which chords you can use underneath the melody? I don't think it matters too much as long as they fit, but there are some standard progressions you could try to use such as II7b, V7, I or Ic V7 I or IVb V (imperfect) etc. Don't know if this helps, it's ages since I did my grade 5 theory!

i'm stuck on that bit too but mainly ornaments and writing them using symbols and stuff.

You don't need inversions at grade 5.
You may write in the chords in either of 4 ways (whichever you are most comfortable with.
Using roman numerals.
With chord names.. (e.g. Dm)
Add figured bass.
Write the notes on the staves.

So long as it is clear which chords you have used really.

With ornaments you need to recognise what they look like when written out in full so that you can name them and put in the correct symbol.

It only asks For roman numerals in grade 5 I will just stick to the standard cadences I think dont want to be getting too clever on them. I am actually looking forward to this exam now.

I was always told only to use I IV or V at grade 5 which made it incredibly easy, 15 marks every time:
Just write out the notes in these chords eg in C major
C F G
E A B
G C D
And then see which one fits best with what you're given on the paper- simple

Ha !- cadences were my downfall in music-i passed grade 5 music when i was 14 ( 22 yrs ago) and still have bad memories.It was all a foreign language to me and still is. After this i became dissolushioned with music and not played piano in 15 yrs.Im now starting to get back into it now and at 36,im hoping im wiser ??!