IMO Practice Test — Simple Machines
6 Questions • 12 min • Olympiad level
12:00
Question 1 of 6
hard
A flag is raised to the top of a tall pole easily using a pulley because the pulley lets us…
Make the pole shorter
Pull down while the flag goes up
Remove gravity
Heat the rope
Explanation: The pulley changes our downward pull into an upward lift.
Question 2 of 6
hard
A doorknob is an example of a wheel-and-axle because turning the wide knob easily turns the thin…
Ramp
Rope
Wedge
Rod (axle)
Explanation: The knob (wheel) turns the inner rod (axle) with ease.
Question 3 of 6
medium
A machine does not give us free energy; it mainly changes the ___ we apply.
Sound
Colour
Direction or size of the force
Weather
Explanation: Machines change how force is applied, not create energy.
Question 4 of 6
hard
On a see-saw, a lighter child can balance a heavier one by sitting…
On the ground
Closer to the fulcrum
On the heavier side
Farther from the fulcrum
Explanation: Sitting farther out increases the lighter child's turning effect.
Question 5 of 6
hard
Spotting simple machines in daily tools helps us understand that machines are not always…
Big or full of engines
Useful
Made of metal
Around us
Explanation: Even small everyday tools are simple machines, not just big engines.
Question 6 of 6
hard
A screw is really an inclined plane wrapped around a…
Rope
Wheel
Rod (cylinder)
Ball
Explanation: A screw is a slope wound around a rod.