Which musical term indicates a note is to be held and sustained?

The correct choice is the term that indicates a note should be held and sustained, which in this case is tenuto. Tenuto instructs the performer to play or sing a note for its full value, emphasizing that the note should not be rushed or shortened. This term conveys a sense of steadiness and sustenance in the sound, encouraging a smooth connection between notes, aligning with the expressive quality of the music.

While fermata also relates to sustaining a note, it specifically indicates that the note should be held longer than its usual duration, as determined by the performer, typically until they decide to move on. Tenuto, however, refers to a consistent art of sustaining a note at its written length without the flexibility provided by a fermata.

Staccato signifies a sharp, detached style of playing, where notes are performed distinctly and separated from each other, and legato refers to a smooth and connected manner of playing with no gaps between notes. Both staccato and legato emphasize different articulations, thereby focusing on the contrast to holding notes as with tenuto.