Plywood is made from veneers with the grain of each layer at right angles to the layers on either side, bonded by resin and pressure.

• A. The grains in successive layers run at right angles
• B. The grains run the same direction in all layers
• C. The grains are random in each layer
• D. The grain orientation is 45 degrees in each layer

Answer: (A)

Cross-graining gives plywood its strength and dimensional stability by placing each veneer so its grain runs at right angles to the layers above and below, then bonding them under resin and pressure. This arrangement makes the panel behave more uniformly when exposed to moisture and temperature changes, reducing warping, expansion, or contraction along any single direction. That’s why the description that the grains in successive layers run at right angles is the best answer. If all layers ran the same way, the panel would be strong in one direction but weak and prone to warping in others. A random orientation wouldn’t provide predictable, balanced strength, and a 45-degree orientation is only used in specific cases.