Which melodic figure is approached by step and left by leap in the opposite direction?

• A. Escape tone
• B. Anticipation
• C. Appoggiatura
• D. Suspension

Answer: (A)

This pattern is an escape tone: a note that’s entered by stepping from the previous pitch and then left by a leap in the opposite direction. It creates a brief moment of dissonance by stepping into a note that doesn’t belong to the current harmony, and then quickly “escapes” by leaping away to a note that resolves more firmly to the underlying chord. The key is the direction: step into the non-chord tone, then leap away in the opposite direction, often on an unaccented beat to keep the line flowing smoothly.

This differs from the other figures: an appoggiatura is approached by a leap and left by a step (usually on the beat and with a stronger emphasis), a suspension holds a note from the previous harmony into the next and resolves by step, and an anticipation arrives early as a note from the next harmony.