Pushes and Pulls — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A swing goes high when you give it a big push.
A bigger push gives the swing more energy, so it goes higher up.
2. Sliding a chair away from a table is a push.
Moving the chair away uses a push, since it moves away from you.
3. Picking up a backpack from the floor is a pull.
Lifting pulls the backpack up toward you, so the force is a pull.
4. Stomping on a leaf is a kind of push.
Stomping pushes the leaf into the ground using a push force.
5. A rolling ball can be stopped by a gentle push.
Pushing back on the ball slows it down and can make it stop.
6. Bigger forces cause bigger movement than smaller forces.
Bigger forces give objects more energy, causing bigger movement.
7. Pushes and pulls can change how fast something can move.
Forces change motion by speeding things up or slowing them down.
8. Pulling a string toward you moves it toward you.
A pull always brings the object closer toward you, not away.
9. Pushing a toy car forward moves it away you.
A push moves the object away from you in the direction of the force.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Throw a paper plane
→ Push (plane goes away)
Push (plane goes away)
Pull a wagon
→ Pull (wagon comes toward you)
Pull (wagon comes toward you)
Stomp on a box
→ Push (foot pushes down)
Push (foot pushes down)
Lift a basket
→ Pull (basket comes up to you)
Pull (basket comes up to you)
Push actions move things away while pull actions bring them closer.