The Wedge

Questions

1. Details What is a wedge?

   a flat, sloping surface, like a ramp a wheel joined to a rod, called an axle, so they turn together two sloping surfaces that meet at a thin, sharp edge a wheel with a groove that holds a rope or cable
2. Details Which of these is an example of a wedge?

   a construction crane a bottle opener a doorknob a doorstop
3. Vocabulary What does "wedge" mean?

   a push or a pull a simple machine with a thin edge that splits or holds things a measure of temperature the ridge that winds around a screw
4. Main idea What is this passage mostly about?

   how a screw makes work easier how a wheel and axle makes work easier how a wedge makes work easier how a lever makes work easier
5. Cause and effect According to the passage, what happens when you use a wedge?

   Turning the big wheel a long way turns the small axle a short way with more force, or turning the axle makes the wheel's edge move fast.. Moving a load up a long, gentle ramp takes less force than lifting it straight up, but you have to move it a longer distance.. Pushing the thin edge into something forces it apart, changing a push forward into a push outward.. Turning the screw many times moves it a short distance into the wood with great force, holding things tightly together..
6. Vocabulary What does a simple machine do, according to the passage?

   stores energy in batteries runs on electricity makes work easier by changing the force needed or its direction makes things heavier
7. Inference Why might someone choose this machine over lifting or pushing by hand?

   It needs no effort at all. It always makes the job faster. It makes the load weigh less. It lets them use less force to do the same job.

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