Levers as Simple Machines
28 Grade 6 Integrated Science questions on Levers as Simple Machines, with worked marking schemes. 28 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
4 marks(a) State two ways in which levers make work easier for people.
(b) Give two examples of levers used on a farm.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any 2 (1 each): they allow heavy loads to be lifted/moved using less effort; they help lift loads that could not be lifted by hand; they help apply force in a place that is hard to reach. (b) Any 2 (1 each): a wheelbarrow; a spade/jembe (hoe); a crowbar; a panga used to prise things; a pick.
Question 2
3 marksA wheelbarrow is used to carry sand at a construction site. Identify the effort, the load and the fulcrum in this wheelbarrow.
(3 marks)
Marking scheme
(1 mark each): Effort - the force applied by the hands lifting the handles; Load - the sand/soil carried in the pan; Fulcrum - the wheel (axle) at the front.
Question 3
1 markLevers make work easier by
A. producing heat energy
B. making objects heavier
C. adding more weight
D. reducing the effort needed to move a load
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 4
1 markA lever is a simple machine that has
A. gears and pulleys
B. wheels and axles only
C. electricity and magnets
D. a fulcrum, effort and load
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 5
1 markThe force applied to a lever in order to move a load is called the:
A. Fulcrum
B. Weight
C. Effort
D. Load
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 6
1 markA claw hammer used to pull a nail out of a piece of wood is working as a:
A. Lever
B. Pulley
C. Inclined plane
D. Wheel and axle
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
2 marksGive two examples of levers that are found in the home or kitchen.
(2 marks)
Marking scheme
Any 2 (1 mark each): a pair of scissors; a bottle opener; tongs; a nutcracker; pliers; a claw hammer; a broom (used as a lever).
Question 8
1 markWhich of the following is a lever used in everyday life?
A. Mirror
B. Thermometer
C. Scissors
D. Battery
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
1 markThe fixed point about which a lever turns when in use is called the:
A. Fulcrum
B. Effort
C. Load
D. Beam
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 10
1 markA bottle opener is an example of a
A. second class lever
B. inclined plane
C. third class lever
D. first class lever
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 11
2 marksA pupil found it hard to open a paint tin using a short stick, but it was easy when she used a long screwdriver at the edge of the lid. Explain why the longer tool made the work easier.
(2 marks)
Marking scheme
The longer screwdriver gives a longer distance (arm) between the effort and the fulcrum, so less effort/force is needed to lift the lid and the work becomes easier (2).
Question 12
1 markA man uses a long metal bar to lift a heavy rock. Using the bar as a lever makes the work of lifting the rock:
A. Easier
B. Harder
C. Slower and harder
D. Impossible
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 13
1 markA wheelbarrow is an example of a
A. second class lever
B. third class lever
C. first class lever
D. wedge
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 14
1 markThe fixed point around which a lever turns is called the
A. effort
B. load
C. fulcrum
D. spring
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 15
1 markWhich one of the following is NOT a part of a lever?
A. Effort
B. Fulcrum
C. Pulley
D. Load
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 16
2 marksExplain why levers are described as simple machines.
(2 marks)
Marking scheme
A lever makes work easier - it allows a person to move or lift a heavy load using less effort; and it is simple, having few or no moving parts (2).
Question 17
1 markA pair of tweezers is an example of a
A. screw
B. first class lever
C. third class lever
D. second class lever
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 18
1 markTwo children play on a seesaw. The point in the middle where the plank rests and turns is the:
A. Load
B. Fulcrum
C. Handle
D. Effort
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 19
1 markWhich one of the following everyday activities makes use of a lever?
A. Switching on a light
B. Pouring water into a glass
C. Reading a book
D. Opening a bottle top with a bottle opener
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 20
4 marksTwo children play on a seesaw.
(a) Name the part of the seesaw that acts as the fulcrum.
(b) A heavier child and a lighter child sit on opposite ends. Explain what the heavier child should do to balance with the lighter child.
(c) State the term used for the downward pull (weight) of each child on the seesaw.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The support/pivot in the middle on which the plank rests (1). (b) The heavier child should move/sit closer to the fulcrum (nearer the middle) so that the two children balance (2). (c) Load (weight/force) (1).
Question 21
4 marksA boy used a crowbar (a long metal bar) to lift a heavy stone.
(a) Name the part of the lever represented by the stone.
(b) Name the fixed point about which the crowbar turns.
(c) State how using the crowbar helps the boy.
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Load (1). (b) Fulcrum/pivot (1). (c) It makes the work easier - he can lift the heavy stone using less effort/force than lifting it directly with his hands (2).
Question 22
1 markWhen using a pair of pliers to cut wire, which part acts as the fulcrum?
A. The joint where the two parts are joined
B. The tips of the handles
C. The handles
D. The jaws holding the wire
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 23
1 markIn a wheelbarrow used to carry bricks, where is the fulcrum located?
A. At the middle of the load
B. At the wheel
C. At the handles
D. At the person's hands
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 24
1 markTo make it easier to lift a heavy load using a lever, the effort should be applied:
A. At the fulcrum itself
B. Far from the fulcrum
C. Very close to the fulcrum
D. Directly on top of the load
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 25
1 markA see-saw is an example of a
A. pulley
B. first class lever
C. second class lever
D. third class lever
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 26
1 markWhich one of the following tools works as a lever?
A. A pair of scissors
B. A blanket
C. A cooking pot
D. A glass window
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 27
3 marksName the three parts of a lever.
(3 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 28
1 markA worker pushes a wheelbarrow full of soil. In this lever, the soil being carried represents the:
A. Pivot
B. Fulcrum
C. Load
D. Effort
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
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