What characterizes a half lap joint?

• A. A wood joint that has half the wood cut away on one side.
• B. A joint where half the wood is cut away on both pieces.
• C. A wedge joint for clamps
• D. A rabbet joint with a lap

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that a half-lap joint is built by removing material at the joint so the two pieces can overlap and sit flush, keeping the overall thickness the same as a single piece. The description that half the wood is cut away at the joint captures this concept: you remove material from the mating surfaces so when the pieces are joined they lie level with each other. This is what gives a strong, flat interlock without a thick step along the edge. Other options refer to different joints or methods (a wedge for clamps, a rabbet, or a different way of removing material), whereas the defining feature of a half-lap is creating those half-thickness notches so the pieces fit together flush.