Question

Difference between aldol and cross aldol condensation

Answer 1

aldol condensation occurs between two similar aldehydes or ketones containing alpha hydrogens but crossed aldol occurs between two dissimilar compounds

Answer 2

An aldol condensation is a condensation reaction in organic chemistry in which an enol or an enolate ion reacts with a carbonyl compound to form a β-hydroxyaldehyde or β-hydroxyketone, followed by dehydration to give a conjugated enone. 
cross aldol condensation = The reaction between an aldehyde/ketone and an aromatic carbonyl compound lacking an alpha-hydrogen (cross aldol condensation) is called the Claisen-Schmidt condensation..