Name the three functions of a brake.

• A. Starting, Running, Halting
• B. Stopping, Slowing, Holding
• C. Braking, Stopping, Controlling
• D. Stopping, Reversing, Holding

Answer: (B)

Brakes control motion by dissipating energy and regulating how movement occurs. The three functions they provide are stopping, slowing, and holding. Stopping brings a moving part to a complete halt. Slowing reduces speed to a safe or desired level, helping you decelerate smoothly or maintain a controlled rate. Holding keeps the system stationary under load, preventing drift or back-driving when power is removed or when a fixed position must be maintained.

This aligns with the idea that a brake isn’t just about stopping; it must also modulate speed and secure the system in place. The other options mix in actions that aren’t brake functions—starting and reversing are driver actions, and a choice that lacks holding doesn’t capture the full role of braking in controlling and stabilizing motion.