Adobe Illustrator Working with the Pen Tool 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: To convert a smooth anchor point into a corner point while drawing with the Pen tool, which key do you hold while dragging the direction handle?
- Alt/Option (Correct answer)
- Shift
- Ctrl/Cmd
- Spacebar
Correct answer: Alt/Option
Holding Alt/Option lets you drag a single direction handle independently, breaking the smooth point into a corner point.
Question 2: Which tool, accessed by holding the Pen tool, removes an existing anchor point from a path without breaking it?
- Delete Anchor Point tool (Correct answer)
- Eraser tool
- Scissors tool
- Smooth tool
Correct answer: Delete Anchor Point tool
The Delete Anchor Point tool removes a point while keeping the path continuous.
Question 3: What does holding the Spacebar do while you are mid-drag creating an anchor point with the Pen tool?
- Repositions the anchor point being placed (Correct answer)
- Closes the path
- Deletes the last point
- Switches to the Selection tool
Correct answer: Repositions the anchor point being placed
Holding the Spacebar temporarily lets you move the anchor point as you place it before releasing the mouse.
Question 4: When the Pen tool shows a small 'o' (circle) icon next to it, what action will clicking perform?
- Close the open path (Correct answer)
- Add a new subpath
- Delete a point
- Start a new object
Correct answer: Close the open path
The circle icon appears over the starting anchor, indicating a click will close the path.
Question 5: Which keyboard shortcut temporarily switches the Pen tool to the Direct Selection tool to adjust a point?
- Hold Ctrl/Cmd (Correct answer)
- Hold Alt/Option
- Hold Shift
- Hold Tab
Correct answer: Hold Ctrl/Cmd
Holding Ctrl/Cmd while using the Pen tool gives temporary access to the last-used selection tool, typically Direct Selection.
Question 6: What is the result of clicking (not dragging) with the Pen tool to place two anchor points?
- A straight line segment between them (Correct answer)
- A curved segment
- A closed shape
- A compound path
Correct answer: A straight line segment between them
Single clicks create corner points connected by straight line segments.
Question 7: Holding Shift while clicking with the Pen tool constrains new segments to angles in increments of:
- 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 30 degrees
- 15 degrees
- 90 degrees only
Correct answer: 45 degrees
Shift constrains path segments to 45-degree increments.
Adobe Illustrator Working with the Pen Tool 2
To convert a smooth anchor point into a corner point while drawing with the Pen tool, which key do you hold while dragging the direction handle?