In the following spelling question, select the correctly spelt word for a piece of cloth carried for wiping the face or hands.

Introduction / Context:
Correct spelling of common everyday objects is a frequent topic in English exams. The word handkerchief refers to a small square piece of cloth or paper carried for personal use, such as wiping the face or nose. Because the word combines hand and kerchief, and includes silent letters, many learners find it tricky to spell. This question checks whether you can identify the standard dictionary spelling among several close variants.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The meaning of the word is implied by context, a cloth carried in the hand or pocket.
• Four almost similar spellings are offered as options.
• Only one option matches the correct accepted spelling in standard English.
• The word is used in both British and American varieties of English.

Concept / Approach:
The correct spelling is handkerchief, which is made up of hand plus kerchief. The letters d, k, and ch all remain in fixed positions. The ending is chief, which contributes the sound chif. We need to look closely at the placement of k, er, ch, and ief. Any version that changes the vowel order, drops important consonants, or adds extra letters is incorrect. Careful visual recognition and memory are key here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the standard spelling handkerchief from reading or dictionary use. Step 2: Mentally divide it into hand plus kerchief to keep track of letter groups. Step 3: Compare each option with this mental pattern, checking the sequence of letters. Step 4: Observe that option B preserves the exact sequence h a n d k e r c h i e f. Step 5: Confirm that the other options contain misplaced or altered letters and therefore are wrong.

Verification / Alternative check:
Place each spelling into a simple sentence to see which looks familiar and natural. For example, She always carries a handkerchief in her bag. Only the spelling in option B appears correct according to standard printed English. Checking a reliable dictionary would also show handkerchief as the accepted form, reinforcing the choice and confirming that the others are incorrect variations devised for confusion.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Handkurchief and Handkurchef both replace the proper sequence ker with kur, which is not how the word is formed historically or in modern English.

Handkerchef changes the ending from chief to chef, which produces a completely different pronunciation pattern and is incorrect for this word.

All three incorrect options disturb the internal structure kerchief and so cannot be accepted.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often spell by sound, and since some letters like d are not strongly stressed, they may be dropped. Others confuse kerchief with similar looking words like mischief and chief and mix up their patterns. An effective strategy is to remember that the word originally described a covering for the head, a kerchief, and later combined with hand to describe a cloth carried in the hand.

Final Answer:
The correctly spelt word is Handkerchief.