Practice a College Board-style free response question on Harmony & Voice Leading I. Write your response, then reveal the model answer to see exactly what earns each point.
Free Response Question · Unit 4 · Function, Cadence & Voice Leading
A phrase in C major uses the progression I – IV – V7 – I (C, F, G7, C). The final two chords are in root position, and the soprano ends on the note C. Use this information to answer the parts below. (No staff paper is needed — describe each answer in words, note names, and standard labels.)
A
State the harmonic function (tonic, predominant, or dominant) of each chord in the progression I, IV, and V7.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
I has tonic function (the stable "home" chord). IV has predominant function (it builds motion toward the dominant). V7 has dominant function (it creates the tension that resolves back to tonic). The progression follows the normal cycle tonic → predominant → dominant → tonic.
Why it scores: Correctly assigns all three functions (tonic, predominant, dominant). Mislabeling IV as dominant, or V as predominant, loses the point.
B
Identify the cadence that ends this phrase (the V7–I motion). Name the cadence type and justify it with two specific features from the stimulus.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
The cadence is a Perfect Authentic Cadence (PAC). It qualifies because (1) it is a V(7)–I progression with both chords in root position, and (2) the soprano ends on the tonic (C, scale degree 1). If either condition were missing, it would be an imperfect authentic cadence (IAC) instead.
Why it scores: Names the cadence (PAC) AND cites two specific qualifying features (root-position V–I and tonic in the soprano). Just writing "authentic cadence" without distinguishing perfect from imperfect earns only partial credit.
C
In the V7–I resolution (G–B–D–F moving to a C-major chord), explain how the leading tone and the chordal seventh each resolve. Name one voice-leading error to avoid.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
In G7, B is the leading tone and resolves up a half step to C (the tonic). F is the chordal seventh and resolves down by step to E (the third of the C chord). A voice-leading error to avoid is writing parallel fifths or octaves between any two voices (for example, between the outer voices); it is also an error to double or fail to resolve the leading tone.
Why it scores: Correctly resolves both tendency tones (leading tone up to tonic, seventh down by step) AND names a legitimate voice-leading error (parallels, or mishandling the leading tone). Vague answers like "the chords just resolve" earn no point.
How to score points on AP Music Theory free response
Answer the exact verb. "Identify" wants a name; "explain" or "justify" wants the name plus the reasoning or rule behind it.
Justify cadences with specifics. Name the qualifying features (root position, soprano on tonic) rather than just labeling "authentic."
Resolve tendency tones every time. Leading tone up to tonic, chordal seventh down by step — say which note goes where.
Watch for parallels. Check outer voices for parallel fifths and octaves before you commit to an answer.
Be concise and specific. A few precise sentences with correct terminology score higher than long, vague descriptions.