Which cadence ends on the dominant chord of a scale?

The cadence that ends on the dominant chord of a scale is the half cadence. A half cadence typically concludes with a V (dominant) chord, creating a sense of tension or the need for resolution, which often leads naturally into the next phrase or passage of music. This unresolved feeling is a defining characteristic of a half cadence, distinguishing it from other types of cadences, which either resolve or lead to a finality.

In contrast, other cadences provide different types of resolutions or tonal conclusions. For instance, a plagal cadence resolves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I), which gives a feeling of completeness. The deceptive cadence usually involves a movement from the dominant (V) to the submediant (vi), creating an unexpected resolution instead of returning to the tonic. An authentic cadence leads to a clear resolution on the tonic chord (I), providing a strong sense of closure. Thus, the half cadence's characteristic ending on the dominant chord is what makes it the correct answer in this context.