Final answer:
In the exposition of the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, a three-note motif, built on a half step, is the basis of the main theme, which is called a sequence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the exposition of the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, a three-note motif, built on a half step, is the basis of the main theme. This type of motif is commonly referred to as a sequence in music theory.
A sequence is a repeating pattern of musical notes that can be transposed to different pitches or keys. In this case, Mozart uses a sequence built on a half step to create a sense of tension and anticipation in the theme of the symphony.