The type of bow that has straight limbs which form an arc when strung is the longbow.

Direct answer

  • In archery terminology, a longbow is considered the traditional bow with long, nearly straight limbs that bend into a smooth D‑shaped arc when the string is on.
  • This shape clearly distinguishes it from recurve bows (whose tips curve away) and compound bows (which use cams and have more complex limb shapes).

Quick Scoop details

  • Longbows are often described in training materials as “the traditional bow with straight limbs that form an arc when strung,” which matches the wording of your question exactly.
  • Multiple Q&A and study-guide sources that pose this same multiple-choice question all identify “longbow” as the correct option.

Extra context for learners

  • When unstrung, a longbow is mostly straight; when strung, it forms that characteristic D-shaped profile, with the string touching only the nocks at the limb tips.
  • This simple, elegant design is why longbows are strongly associated with traditional and historical archery styles.

Answer: longbow. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.