What type of block was Melinda carving when she cut herself?

• A. Wood block
• B. Styrofoam block
• C. Linoleum block
• D. Marble block

Answer: (C)

The moment centers on the type of surface used for relief printmaking in her art class. She was carving a linoleum block, a common choice because its soft, carve-friendly surface lets you create designs with gouges and knives and then ink the raised areas to print. That combination—carving with a sharp tool and the risk of cutting skin while shaping the block—fits the scene perfectly. Linoleum differs from wood, marble, or Styrofoam in feel and typical classroom use: wood and marble require sturdier, more strenuous tools and techniques, while Styrofoam is less likely to be the surface described in this context. So the block she’s carving is linoleum.