Which cadence ends on the dominant chord?

Which cadence ends on the dominant chord?

• A. Deceptive Cadence
• B. Half Cadence
• C. Plagal Cadence
• D. Perfect Authentic Cadence

Answer: (B)

A half cadence is being tested here. In tonal harmony, cadences shape the sense of arrival or pause at the end of a phrase. A half cadence ends on the dominant chord (the V chord), which creates tension and a feeling that the musical idea is incomplete and awaiting a resolution to the tonic. For example, in C major, ending on G major (the dominant) gives a sense of suspended closure—like “to be continued.” That’s what defines a half cadence. Other cadences behave differently: a deceptive cadence moves away from the V to another chord such as vi, so it doesn’t end on the dominant; a plagal cadence moves from IV to I, ending on the tonic; a perfect authentic cadence resolves from V to I with strong, conclusive closure, also ending on the tonic.

A half cadence is being tested here. In tonal harmony, cadences shape the sense of arrival or pause at the end of a phrase. A half cadence ends on the dominant chord (the V chord), which creates tension and a feeling that the musical idea is incomplete and awaiting a resolution to the tonic.

For example, in C major, ending on G major (the dominant) gives a sense of suspended closure—like “to be continued.” That’s what defines a half cadence.

Other cadences behave differently: a deceptive cadence moves away from the V to another chord such as vi, so it doesn’t end on the dominant; a plagal cadence moves from IV to I, ending on the tonic; a perfect authentic cadence resolves from V to I with strong, conclusive closure, also ending on the tonic.