Pushes and Pulls — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Throwing a ball away from you is a push.
Throwing pushes the ball away from your body with a push force.
2. Tugging on a leash brings a puppy closer; that is a pull.
A tug brings the puppy closer, which makes the force a pull.
3. A shopping cart goes forward when you push it.
Pushing the cart forward moves it away from you using a push.
4. Lifting a box up off the floor is a kind of pull.
Lifting pulls the box upward toward you, so the force is a pull.
5. Closing a door away from you uses a push.
If the door moves away, the force you used was a push.
6. Bigger pushes make a toy car move farther.
More force gives the car more energy, so it travels farther.
7. Smaller pulls move a wagon a shorter distance.
A small pull gives less energy, so the wagon moves a shorter way.
8. Stopping a rolling ball can use a push or a pull.
Both pushes and pulls can stop motion by acting on the ball.
9. Any push or pull on an object is called a force.
Force is the science word for any push or pull on an object.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Kick a ball
→ Push (foot moves ball away)
Push (foot moves ball away)
Open a drawer
→ Pull (drawer comes toward you)
Pull (drawer comes toward you)
Press a button
→ Push (finger pushes down)
Push (finger pushes down)
Tug a rope
→ Pull (rope comes toward you)
Pull (rope comes toward you)
Pushes move objects away while pulls bring them closer to you.