What type of fastener is designed to be driven into wood without a pre-drilled hole?

The type of fastener designed to be driven directly into wood without a pre-drilled hole is a screw. Screws have a sharp point and threads that allow them to penetrate and grip the material securely as they are driven in. This design minimizes the need for pre-drilling, especially in softer materials like wood, where the screw can create its own path through the fibers.

In contrast, bolts require a pre-drilled hole, as they are designed to be used with nuts and to fasten two or more components together through a threaded insert. Studs are also not suitable for direct insertion into wood since they are typically used in conjunction with nuts and again need to be anchored in a pre-drilled hole. Rivets, on the other hand, are permanently deformed to secure materials together and are not driven into the material like screws; instead, they require specific tools for insertion and are used in metalwork rather than woodworking.

Thus, screws are specifically engineered for easy insertion into wood, making them the correct answer to this question.