Which knot is specifically used to join two ropes?

• A. Bowline
• B. Sheet Bend (joining two ropes).
• C. Clove Hitch
• D. Reef Knot

Answer: (B)

To connect two ropes into one length, you need a knot that holds both strands securely under load and stays easy to untie afterward. The sheet bend is designed for this exact task. It works by making a loop (a bight) in one rope and passing the end of the other rope around the standing part of the first rope, then under the loop and through to secure. This arrangement distributes the load well and can accommodate ropes of different diameters or materials, so it remains reliable under varying conditions and is relatively easy to untie after loading.

The other knots have different primary uses. The bowline creates a fixed loop, not a join between two ropes. The clove hitch is meant to attach a rope to an object, not to join two ropes together. The reef knot (square knot) is used to join two ends of the same rope under light to moderate loads and tends to slip or jam when ropes differ in thickness or under uneven loading, making it less dependable for joining two ropes in general.