Grade 6 · Science · Unit 5 of 11
Circuits
Conductors, series and parallel
What your child practises
Conductors and insulators, what each part of a circuit does, and how series and parallel circuits behave and where each is used.
Ontario Curriculum expectation: C2.3, C2.6, C2.7 · conductors and insulators, parts of a circuit, and series and parallel circuits
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Why are electrical wires covered in plastic?
- Plastic is an insulator, so it keeps people and parts safe
- Plastic is a conductor
- Plastic makes electricity stronger
Show answer
Plastic is an insulator, so it keeps people and parts safe
Hint: The metal inside carries current. The coating protects.
Question 2
The outlets in a home are wired in…
- no kind of circuit
- series
- parallel
Show answer
parallel
Hint: Each device can be switched on and off alone.
Question 3
What does a fuse or circuit breaker do?
- Replaces the battery
- Makes the current larger
- Stops the current if it becomes too large
Show answer
Stops the current if it becomes too large
Hint: It helps prevent overheating and fires.
Question 4
What does a switch do?
- Makes electricity
- Opens or closes the circuit
- Stores electrical energy
Show answer
Opens or closes the circuit
Hint: An open switch breaks the path so current stops.
Question 5
A string of old holiday lights goes completely dark when one bulb burns out. What type of circuit is it?
- Series
- Parallel
- Open only
Show answer
Series
Hint: One break stops the whole path.
Question 6
Why is a parallel circuit often a good choice for home wiring?
- It only works with one device
- Each device works on its own and gets full voltage
- It uses no wires
Show answer
Each device works on its own and gets full voltage
Hint: Branches let devices operate independently.