Mechanical Comprehension Practice Problems for McGraw-Hill's ASVAB

Take the following quiz to check your understanding of ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension topics. If you need a concept review, please read the study guides:

• Mechanical Comprehension Study Guide 1 for McGraw-Hill's ASVAB
• Mechanical Comprehension Study Guide 2 for McGraw-Hill's ASVAB

1. The diagram shows a class 1 lever. Which of the following is the same kind of lever?
   1. A pair of tweezers
   2. A pair of scissors
   3. A wheelbarrow
   4. A pair of tongs



2. The diagram shows a class 2 lever. Which of the following is the same kind of lever?
   1. A seesaw
   2. A pair of scissors
   3. The human forearm
   4. A wheelbarrow
3. When a mass of air expands, which of the following is most likely to happen?
   1. The air warms up.
   2. The air cools down.
   3. The air stays at the same temperature.
   4. The air contracts.



4. The diagram shows a class 3 lever. Which of the following is the same kind of lever?
   1. A pair of tweezers
   2. A wheelbarrow
   3. A seesaw
   4. A wedge
5. Which of the following would feel hottest to the touch if one end were placed in a pot of boiling water?
   1. A wooden spoon
   2. A metal fork
   3. A plastic knife
   4. A plastic cup
6. A lever lifts 300 lb with an effort of 60 lb. What is the mechanical advantage?
   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 8
7. In a class 1 lever with an MA of 4, if the effort distance measures 8 ft, how long is the load distance?
   1. 2 ft
   2. 4 ft
   3. 8 ft
   4. 16 ft
8. Water is flowing into a tank at the rate of 180 gallons per minute. However, the tank has a leak, and water is leaking out at the rate of 2 gallons per second. How long will it take to add 120 gallons?
   1. 1 min
   2. 2 min
   3. 3 min
   4. 4 min
9. Water is flowing from a 3-inch pipe into a 1-inch pipe. Which statement is true?
   1. Pressure is lower in the 3-inch pipe.
   2. Pressure is higher in the 1-inch pipe.
   3. More water is passing through the 3-inch pipe than through the 1-inch pipe.
   4. The same amount of water is passing through every part of the piping system.
10. Gear A, with 18 teeth, meshes with gear B, which has 12 teeth. When gear A rotates 3 times, gear B will rotate
    1. 3 times.
    2. 4.5 times.
    3. 6 times.
    4. 9 times.
11. What is the mechanical advantage in this pulley system?



1. 2
2. 3
3. 4
4. 6
12. In the diagram, what can you tell about the load on posts A and B?



1. Post B carries more weight.
2. Post A carries more weight.
3. Post A carries no weight.
4. The load is equal on posts A and B.
13. Water is flowing through this pipe. Which statement is true?



1. Water is moving faster at point A than at point
2. Water pressure is equal at points A and B.
3. Water pressure is greater at point A than at point B.
4. Water pressure is greater at point B than at point A.
14. What is the advantage of using triangle shapes in constructing a bridge?
    1. Triangles are sturdier than other shapes.
    2. Triangles are very flexible.
    3. Triangles are inexpensive to manufacture.
    4. Triangles are attractive to look at.
15. Which formula will calculate the mechanical advantage of a lever?
    1. Load/effort
    2. Effort distance/load distance
    3. Both A and B
    4. Load × effort