IMO Practice Test — Simple Machines
6 Questions • 12 min • Olympiad level
12:00
Question 1 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 2 of 6
hard
In a wheelbarrow, the wheel acts as the fulcrum and the load sits between it and your hands. This makes lifting…
Harder
Easier with less force
Impossible
Colourful
Explanation: A wheelbarrow is a lever that eases lifting.
Question 3 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 4 of 6
hard
A simple machine can let us trade a smaller force for moving over a…
Shorter time only
Longer distance
Colour
Sound
Explanation: Machines often trade less force for a longer movement.
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 road that winds gently up a steep hill instead of going straight up is using the idea of an…
Lever
Pulley
Inclined plane
Wheel
Explanation: A winding road is a long, gentle inclined plane.