For sketching, almost all objects are composed of six basic shapes; which set lists those shapes?

• A. circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, cube, sphere
• B. triangle, circle, cube, cylinder, cone, and sphere
• C. line, circle, cube, cylinder, cone, and sphere
• D. triangle, circle, square, cylinder, cone, and cube

Answer: (B)

In sketching, you describe most objects by combining simple, recognizable forms. The six that cover a wide range of shapes are triangle, circle, cube, cylinder, cone, and sphere. The triangle works for pyramidal or wedge-like volumes; the circle gives the round edge or base and serves as the projection for many round features; the cube handles boxy, right-angled forms; the cylinder captures tubes and rounded barrels with circular ends; the cone accounts for tapered shapes; and the sphere represents fully rounded forms. Together, these shapes let you build and approximate a huge variety of objects by adding and refining their profiles and how they intersect. Other sets tend to miss a crucial rounded form or substitute a line or square, which reduces versatility in conveying true volume and curvature, making this six-shape combination the most practical starting toolkit for sketching.