In the exposition of a sonata-form movement, where is the first subject stated and where is the second subject typically presented?

• A. First subject in the dominant; second subject in the tonic
• B. First subject in the tonic; second subject in the dominant or relative minor
• C. Both subjects in the tonic
• D. Second subject in the relative major

Answer: (C)

In the exposition of a sonata-form movement, the drama is set by presenting two subjects in differing keys. The first subject stays in the home key, establishing the tonic. The second subject then reveals itself in a new key, providing tonal contrast and forward motion—typically the dominant in major-key pieces, or the relative major in minor-key pieces. This shift to a closely related key creates the recognizable bipartite structure that distinguishes the exposition. So, the best description is that the first subject is in the tonic, and the second subject is in the dominant (or in the relative major for minor keys). A statement that both subjects stay in the tonic would miss this essential tonal contrast that characterizes the exposition.