Which term describes the end of a rope that is used to perform knots and hauling?

• A. Working end
• B. Bitter end
• C. Running end
• D. Standing part

Answer: (A)

Rope work uses specific terms for the ends to avoid confusion during tying and hauling. The end you actively use to form knots and to haul is the working end. It's the part you grip, wrap, thread through loops, and pull to snug the knot. The standing part is the portion that stays fixed while you work with the knot. The bitter end refers to the very tip of the rope—the actual loose end that you typically secure so it doesn't slip back through the knot. The running end is the portion you feed through as you manipulate the rope or pay out during hauling, which can vary with the knot. Because the question asks for the end used to perform knots and hauling, the correct term is the working end.