1. steering wall
   bearing wall
2. lifting wall

A bearing or load-bearing wall is one that provides structural support to things above the wall, such as a roof or the second floor. A non-load-bearing wall simply acts as a room divider, and does not provide structural support. When doing renovation work, it's critical that carpenters be able to tell the difference between the two, because removing a bearing wall can cause major structural issues.

1. miter saw
   hacksaw
2. rip saw

Crown molding can be tricky to cut because it involves creating compound angles so that each section will fit perfectly with the next one. A compound miter saw allows you to create the right cuts and bevels to get the job done right.

1. price
   strength
2. length

Nails are often identified by their length using the letter "d." For example, a 2d nail is one-inch long, and every unit increase adds an extra quarter-inch to the nail's length.

1. gable
   hip
2. pitch

The pitch of a roof tells you the slope, or steepness. It can be calculated by taking the rise over the run.

1. joists
   trusses
2. studs

Wall studs are 2x4 or 2x6 pieces of lumber used to frame the walls of a room or building. In the average home, they are made of wood, while commercial buildings may use either metal or wood studs.

1. hex key
   Phillips
2. flathead

Old-school screws had a slot on the head that required a flathead screwdriver to install or remove. Today the Phillips screw, with its cross-shaped head design, is much more common. Hex keys, or Allen wrenches, are used to removed hexagonal fasteners.

1. perfectly vertical
   perfectly level
2. perfectly smooth

Plumb is carpenter speak for perfectly vertical. A plumb bob is a tool that consists of a weight suspended on a string, which can tell you if something is vertical. It can also be used to transfer measurements along a vertical plane.

1. flats
   treads
2. risers

Stairs consist of two main parts -- the vertical riser and the horizontal tread. Most stairs today are built to so that the tread extends beyond the face of the riser, creating an overhang or lip.

1. 4 inches
   8 inches
2. 16 inches

Most studs today are placed at 16 inches on-center -- that means 16 inches between the center of one stud and the center of the adjacent one. In older homes, studs may be placed 24 inches apart instead of 16.

1. gypsum
   cement
2. mortar

Drywall, also known as Sheetrock after a popular brand name, is made from pressed gypsum powder. The gypsum is coated with sheets of heavy paper to make it smooth and easy to work with.

1. extension framing
   linear framing
2. balloon framing

Balloon framing consists of long vertical studs that extend from sill to roof. This type of construction results in less weight than other types of framing, but does leave the structure vulnerable to the spread of fire if proper firestopping techniques are not used.

1. joist
   header
2. track

A header is a beam installed vertically above any opening in a wall, including a door or window. The header supports the weight of the structure above the opening.

1. sloped
   plastered
2. damaged

A raked wall is one that is angled or sloped. This type of construction is common in homes with cathedral or vaulted ceilings.

1. on stairs
   on the roof
2. in the yard

Balusters are the vertical supports on a handrail or staircase. Depending on the application, they can be made from wood, metal or even plastic.

1. ringers
   stringers
2. dingers

Stringers are the wooden structural supports used to form a staircase. Once they are firmly in place, risers and treads can be installed to make the staircase usable.

1. rip cut
   crosscut
2. rotary

A table saw is used to cut wood parallel to the grain, which is known as a rip cut. Crosscutting is the opposite -- it's used to cut wood against the grain.

1. elephant-eared
   bullnosed
2. camel-humped

Bullnosed is carpenter-speak for rounded along the edge. This is common on stair treads, some countertops, furniture and even tile edges.

1. 1.5 by 3.5
   2 by 4
2. 3 by 5

Any dimension you see on a piece of lumber is the nominal measurement, while the actual measurement is smaller. That means a 2x4 you buy at the store will actually measure 1.5 by 3.5 inches.

1. crown molding
   cove base
2. chair rail

Chair rail is installed around the mid-line of a wall. It was once designed to prevent chairs from rubbing up against the wall, but is now used primarily as a decorative element, or to serve as a transition between two different materials -- like paint and paneling.

1. on a window
   under your carpet
2. between ceramic tiles

A glazing bead is a wooden or metal strip of convex molding that's nailed in place to hold glass in a window or door.

1. 3
   4
2. 5

A typical residential door has three hinges measuring 3.5 inches each. Commercial doors may have larger hinges, and doors that are taller or heavier than average may use four hinges instead of three.

1. under the floorboards
   over a door
2. in the closet

A transom is an opening installed over a door or window. Some consist of clear glass, some are operable and others are simple vents to improve air circulation.

1. on the ceiling
   on walls
2. on the roof

Wainscot is a type of decorative wall paneling installed on the lower half of a wall. It can be made from wood or composite materials, such as sheets of heavy plastic used in some commercial kitchens.

1. angling it
   sanding it smooth
2. staining it

A bevel is an angle added to a piece of wood or other material. For example, the edge of most doors is slightly beveled to allow the door to open and close within the frame.

1. 12 inches
   24 inches
2. 144 inches

Lumber is often sold in board feet, an amount equal to the volume of a piece of wood one foot long, one foot wide and one inch tall. It's equivalent to 144 cubic inches.

1. joists
   footers
2. gables

Joists are the parallel horizontal timbers used to support a structure. They are used to craft things like floors, roofs and ceilings.

1. penny joiner
   biscuit joiner
2. inlaid joiner

A biscuit is a small oval-shaped piece of wood used to join two other pieces of wood together. To create the opener in the wood for the biscuit, you need a special tool called a biscuit joiner.

1. 30 degrees
   45 degrees
2. 90 degrees

A dovetail joint is a beautiful method for joining wood at a 90-degree angle. Using this method, the two pieces of wood lock together like interlocking fingers.

1. mullions
   closers
2. astragals

Mullions separate panes of glass on a window, or on a window within a door. The horizontal members separating the panes on a window are known as the sashes.

1. jewel
   newel
2. annul

A newel post in the principal post at the foot of a staircase. If you've ever seen "It's A Wonderful Life," you may remember George Bailey struggling with the ball at the top of his newel post each time he used the stairs in his home.