Name:__________________________________

Date:__________________________________
Forces Acting on Structures Unit Test
Section A: Multiple Choice (8 points)
Circle the best answer for the following questions.
1. Which of the following is an example of a natural structure?
a. The school c. A bird’s nest
b. A bridge d. A chair
2. Which of the following is NOT a natural phenomenon?
a. A tornado c. A flood
b. Cutting down a tree d. An earthquake
3. Fill in the blank: A force is _______________________.
a. A push or a pull c. A type of bridge
b. A structure d. An experiment
4. Which force is the one that causes squeezing or squishing?
a. Gravity c. Tension
b. Shear d. Compression
5. Which force is the one that causes twisting?
a. Natural phenomenon c. Load
b. Torsion d. Tension
6. What shape is often used when building structures because it
supports, stabilizes and stiffens the structure?
a. Hexagon c. Rectangle
b. Circle d. Triangle
7. Which of the following is NOT a type of bridge?
a. Extension bridge c. Truss bridge
b. Suspension bridge d. Arch bridge
8. How can we make moving heavy loads easier?
 a. Use the force c. Get someone else to
b. Use triangles do it
d. Use a pulley system

Section B: Sorting and Matching (8 points)

9. Sort the following forces to internal or external forces.(4 points)
a. Compression e. Torsion
b. Gravity f. Static load
c. Tension g. Shear
d. Natural Phenomenon h. Dynamic load

Internal Forces External Forces

 10. Match the following types of bridges to their image and
description using a line below. (4 points)

Beam Bridge

Is a type of bridge that has a

structure of connected elements
that form triangular units

Truss Bridge

Is suspended from vertical cables

or rods known as suspenders that
are attached to the main cables.

Arch Bridge

Has a support on either end and is a

horizontal structure

Suspension Bridge

Has abutments and arches which

are supports on the ground at both
ends
Section C: Short Answers (17 points)
11. Name and describe a natural phenomenon of your choice. Then
explain how it can have a devastating impact on structures and
what we can do to avoid devastating impacts from the natural
phenomenon. (6 points)

12. What is load? What are the two types of load? What are the
differences between them? What are the similarities? (5 points)
 13. Name, describe and give examples of the 4 types of
structures. (6 points)

Section E: Bonus! (1 point)

14. Tell me one thing you learned in science that you haven’t had a
chance to on this test!