One of the most common ways to structure phrases in popular music is in pairs of "questions" and "answers." Question phrases often rise in pitch, while answer phrases fall. However, the most important difference between the two is the final note. Question phrases almost always end with a pitch other than the tonic note, often the fifth note of the scale, while answer phrases end with the tonic.

Question and answer phrases often begin the same way and diverge in the second half. Because we listen for a balance of repetition (the familiar) with new material (novelty) within music, this structure feels very satisfying.