Cursive Handwriting — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which group of letters all have descenders that go below the baseline?
A) b, d, f, h
B) g, j, p, q, y
C) a, c, e, o
D) i, t, u, w
The letters g, j, p, q, and y all have descenders, which are parts of the letter that extend below the baseline.
2. What is the correct way to begin the cursive lowercase letter n?
A) Start with a downward slant stroke
B) Start with an overcurve stroke up to the midline
C) Start with a loop below the baseline
D) Start with a horizontal line across the midline
The cursive lowercase n begins with an overcurve stroke that curves upward to the midline before slanting down.
3. Why should you tilt your paper when writing in cursive?
A) To make your letters bigger
B) To help create a consistent slant in your writing
C) To make your pencil last longer
D) To avoid using the midline on the paper
Tilting the paper allows your hand to move naturally and helps produce a consistent slant across all your letters.
4. Which statement about connecting cursive letters is correct?
A) Every uppercase letter must connect to the next letter.
B) You should lift your pencil between every two letters.
C) Ending strokes of one letter become starting strokes of the next.
D) Only vowels connect to the letters after them.
In cursive, the ending stroke of one letter flows directly into the starting stroke of the next letter, creating a connected word.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The cursive letters that are hardest to read when poorly formed are n and r.
The letters n and r can look very similar in cursive if not formed carefully, making them difficult to tell apart.
2. A loop that swings below the baseline and returns upward is found in the letter g.
The cursive letter g has a descender loop that swings below the baseline and curves back upward.
3. Cursive writing flows from left to right across the page.
Like all English writing, cursive flows from left to right across the page.
4. The undercurve-to-undercurve connection is used when writing the word it.
The word 'it' uses an undercurve-to-undercurve connection because both letters i and t begin with undercurve strokes.
5. To write neatly in cursive, keep all your tall letters touching the top line.
Tall letters like b, h, k, and l should all reach the top line to maintain consistent height.