Trivia Questions: How Much Do You Know About Lines And Shapes? Quiz

1. Which type of shape is reflected here?

Organic

Geometric

Amorphous

Organic shapes undulate like an amoeba. Amorphous shapes are indescribable and haphazard, like poured paint on a canvas.

Explanation

Organic shapes undulate like an amoeba. Amorphous shapes are indescribable and haphazard, like poured paint on a canvas.

2. Which is best exhibited in this illustration?

Volume

Mass

Volume is a 3-D area, effectively illustrated by architecture. Mass, however, describes solidity and bulk. The glass and metal Louvre Pyramid allows the viewer to see the actual volume encased. The pyramids of Giza, however, are largely solid, with the exception of a small air shaft and burial chamber. The pyramids of Giza better reflect mass.

Explanation

Volume is a 3-D area, effectively illustrated by architecture. Mass, however, describes solidity and bulk. The glass and metal Louvre Pyramid allows the viewer to see the actual volume encased. The pyramids of Giza, however, are largely solid, with the exception of a small air shaft and burial chamber. The pyramids of Giza better reflect mass.

3. What type of line is reflected here?

Organic

Analytic

Organic line undulates and curves. The analytic line is more mathematical as if drawn by a ruler.

Explanation

Organic line undulates and curves. The analytic line is more mathematical as if drawn by a ruler.

4. There is no depth reflected in this shape?

True

False

Here, actual line defines a shape. This image is two-dimensional (2-D)--it reads as a flat circle, with height and width. There is no actual or implied depth.

Explanation

Here, actual line defines a shape. This image is two-dimensional (2-D)--it reads as a flat circle, with height and width. There is no actual or implied depth.

5. What types of line are reflected in this painting?

Implied

Line formed by an edge

Actual

All of the above

The implied line is completed by the viewer; ie. following a sightline-- the Virgin looking at Christ, Christ & infant St. John looking at each other, or by following a directional indicator such as an object pointing in a direction, such as the finger of the angel. A line formed by an edge is a type of contour line, where objects are not delineated with the actual line but are delineated by contrast, as if cut out and pasted on a background-- ie. figures & rock forms. _____ is an actual line. The grass and the folds of the garments are read as lines.

Explanation

The implied line is completed by the viewer; ie. following a sightline-- the Virgin looking at Christ, Christ & infant St. John looking at each other, or by following a directional indicator such as an object pointing in a direction, such as the finger of the angel. A line formed by an edge is a type of contour line, where objects are not delineated with the actual line but are delineated by contrast, as if cut out and pasted on a background-- ie. figures & rock forms. _____ is an actual line. The grass and the folds of the garments are read as lines.

6. Depth is reflected in this image.

True

False

This circular shape is defined by color of a single value. It is 2-D and reads as flat-- there is no actual or implied depth.

Explanation

This circular shape is defined by color of a single value. It is 2-D and reads as flat-- there is no actual or implied depth.

7. Because Pollock does not vary his line quality in the painting shown here, the term entasis does not apply.

True

False

Line quality in Pollock's painting does change. The artist varies the width of line from thin to thick to thin again. Because entasis is a term that describes line that swells, this term is applicable to Pollock's painting.

Explanation

Line quality in Pollock's painting does change. The artist varies the width of line from thin to thick to thin again. Because entasis is a term that describes line that swells, this term is applicable to Pollock's painting.

8. Which principle direction of the line and its associated quality is largely reflected in this painting?

Vertical- assertiveness, defies gravity

Diagonal- implies movement

Horizontal- placid, like a body at rest

While this is largely horizontal and restful, motion is implied

Horizontal compositions mimic a body at rest and are considered to be restful. Vertical lines are assertive since they defy gravity. ( Note: a human body which is upright and static is read as a vertical line.) Diagonal lines imply movement. This composition is largely horizontal, implying restfulness; yet, the diagonal lines of the rowers' arms and their oars imply movement. While there are vertical lines on the shoreline, they are not dominant.

Explanation

Horizontal compositions mimic a body at rest and are considered to be restful. Vertical lines are assertive since they defy gravity. ( Note: a human body which is upright and static is read as a vertical line.) Diagonal lines imply movement. This composition is largely horizontal, implying restfulness; yet, the diagonal lines of the rowers' arms and their oars imply movement. While there are vertical lines on the shoreline, they are not dominant.