IELTS Reading: The History of the Pencil – Vocabulary & Detailed Answers

Did you know that the humble pencil we use every day traces its origins back to a lightning strike in Borrowdale, England, in the 16th century? Or that pencils were once considered top-secret military material by the British Crown? You can uncover all these fascinating facts in this IELTS Reading passage: “The History of the Pencil”.

Beyond providing intriguing historical insights, this passage is an excellent resource for practicing True/False/Not Given questions and sentence completion tasks. Let’s dive into the detailed analysis, translation, and answer key below!

I. Reading Passage & Bilingual Translation

Paragraph 1 The beginning of the story of pencils started with a lightning. Graphite, the main material for producing pencil, was discovered in 1564 in Borrowdale in England when a lightning struck a local tree during a thunder. Local people found out that the black substance spotted at the root of the unlucky tree was different from burning ash of wood. It was soft, thus left marks everywhere. Chemistry was barely out of its infancy at the time, so people mistook it for lead, equally black but much heavier. It was soon put to use by locals in marking their sheep for ownership and calculation.

Translation: The story of the pencil began with a lightning strike. Graphite, the primary material for pencil production, was discovered in 1564 in Borrowdale, England, when lightning struck a local tree during a storm. Locals discovered that the black substance found at the roots of the “unlucky” tree was different from wood ash. It was soft, leaving marks wherever it touched. Chemistry was still in its infancy at the time, so people mistook it for lead, which is also black but much heavier. It was soon put to use by locals to mark their sheep for ownership and calculation.

Paragraph 2 Britain turns out to be major country where mines of graphite can be detected and developed. Even so, the first pencil was invented elsewhere. As graphite is soft, it requires some form of encasement. In Italy, graphite sticks were initially wrapped in string or sheepskin for stability, becoming perhaps the very first pencil in the world. Then around 1560, an Italian couple made what are likely the first blueprints for the modern, wood-encased carpentry pencil. Their version was a flat, oval, more compact type of pencil. Their concept involved the hollowing out of a stick of juniper wood. Shortly thereafter in 1662, a superior technique was discovered by German people: two wooden halves were carved, a graphite stick inserted, and the halves then glued together – essentially the same method in use to this day. The news of the usefulness of these early pencils spread far and wide, attracting the attention of artists all over the known world.

Translation: Britain turned out to be a major country where graphite mines could be identified and developed. Even so, the first pencil was invented elsewhere. Because graphite is soft, it requires some form of casing. In Italy, graphite sticks were initially wrapped in string or sheepskin for stability, which arguably became the world’s first pencil. Then, around 1560, an Italian couple created what were likely the first blueprints for the modern, wood-encased carpenter’s pencil. Their version was a flat, oval, and more compact type of pencil. Their concept involved hollowing out a stick of juniper wood. Shortly thereafter, in 1662, a superior technique was discovered by the Germans: two wooden halves were carved, a graphite stick was inserted, and the halves were then glued together—essentially the same method used to this day. News of the usefulness of these early pencils spread far and wide, attracting the attention of artists across the known world.

Paragraph 3 Although graphite core in pencils is still referred to as lead, modern pencils do not contain lead as the “lead” of the pencil is actually a mix of finely ground graphite and clay powders. This mixture is important because the amount of clay content added to the graphite depends on the intended pencil hardness, and the amount of time spent on grinding the mixture determines the quality of the lead. The more clay you put in, the higher hardness the core has. Many pencils across the world, and almost all in Europe, are graded on the European system. This system of naming used B for black and H for hard; a pencil’s grade was described by a sequence or successive Hs or Bs such as BB and BBB for successively softer leads, and HH and HHH for successively harder ones. Then the standard writing pencil is graded HB.

Translation: Although the graphite core in pencils is still referred to as “lead,” modern pencils do not contain lead, as the “lead” is actually a mixture of finely ground graphite and clay powder. This mixture is important because the amount of clay added to the graphite depends on the desired hardness of the pencil, and the time spent grinding the mixture determines the quality of the lead. The more clay you add, the harder the core becomes. Many pencils around the world, and almost all in Europe, are graded using the European system. This naming system uses B for Black and H for Hard; a pencil’s grade is described by a sequence of consecutive Hs or Bs, such as BB and BBB for progressively softer leads, and HH and HHH for progressively harder ones. The standard writing pencil is graded HB.

Paragraph 4 In England, pencils continue to be made from whole sawn graphite. But with the mass production of pencils, they are getting drastically more popular in many countries with each passing decade. As demands rise, appetite for graphite soars.

Translation: In England, pencils continue to be made from solid sawn graphite. However, with mass production, pencils have become drastically more popular in many countries with each passing decade. As demand rises, the appetite for graphite soars.

Paragraph 5 According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), world production of natural graphite in 2012 was 1,100,000 tonnes, of which the following major exporters are: China, India, Brazil, North Korea and Canada. However, much in contrast with its intellectual application in producing pencils, graphite was also widely used in the military. During the reign of Elizabeth I, Borrowdale graphite was used as a refractory material to line moulds for cannonballs, resulting in rounder, smoother balls that could be fired farther, contributing to the strength of the English navy. This particular deposit of graphite was extremely pure and soft, and could easily be broken into sticks. Because of its military importance, this unique mine and its production were strictly controlled by the Crown.

Translation: According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), world production of natural graphite in 2012 was 1,100,000 tonnes, with the major exporters being China, India, Brazil, North Korea, and Canada. However, in stark contrast to its intellectual application in pencil production, graphite was also widely used in the military. During the reign of Elizabeth I, Borrowdale graphite was used as a refractory material to line molds for cannonballs, resulting in rounder, smoother balls that could be fired further, contributing to the strength of the English navy. This particular deposit of graphite was extremely pure and soft, and could easily be broken into sticks. Because of its military importance, this unique mine and its production were strictly controlled by the Crown.

Paragraph 6 That the United States did not use pencils in the outer space till they spent $1000 to make a pencil to use in zero gravity conditions is in fact a fiction. It is widely known that astronauts in Russia used grease pencils, which don’t have breakage problem. But it is also a fact that their counterparts in the United States used pencils in the outer space before real zero gravity pencil was invented. They preferred mechanical pencils, which produced fine line, much clearer than the smudgy lines left by the grease pencils that Russians favored. But the lead tips of these mechanical pencils broke often. That bit of graphite floating around the space capsule could get into someone’s eye, or even find its way into machinery or electronics, causing an electrical short or other problems. But despite the fact that the Americans did invent zero gravity pencils later, they stuck to mechanical pencils for many years.

Translation: The idea that the United States did not use pencils in outer space until they spent $1,000 to develop a pencil for zero-gravity conditions is, in fact, a myth. It is widely known that Russian astronauts used grease pencils, which do not have breakage issues. However, it is also a fact that their counterparts in the United States used pencils in outer space before a true zero-gravity pencil was invented. They preferred mechanical pencils, which produced fine lines, much clearer than the smudgy lines left by the grease pencils favored by the Russians. But the lead tips of these mechanical pencils broke often. Bits of graphite floating around the space capsule could get into someone’s eye or even find their way into machinery or electronics, causing electrical shorts or other problems. Despite the fact that the Americans did invent zero-gravity pencils later, they stuck with mechanical pencils for many years.

Paragraph 7 Against the backcloth of a digitalized world, the prospect of pencils seems bleak. In reality, it does not. The application of pencils has by now become so widespread that they can be seen everywhere, such as classrooms, meeting rooms and art rooms, etc. A spectrum of users are likely to continue to use it into the future: students to do math works, artists to draw on sketch pads, waiters or waitresses to mark on order boards, make-up professionals to apply to faces, and architects to produce blue prints. The possibilities seem limitless.

Translation: Against the backdrop of a digitalized world, the future of the pencil might seem bleak. In reality, it is not. The application of pencils has become so widespread that they can be seen everywhere, such as in classrooms, meeting rooms, art studios, and more. A wide spectrum of users will likely continue to use them in the future: students for math work, artists for sketching, waitstaff for marking order boards, makeup professionals for application, and architects for producing blueprints. The possibilities seem limitless.

Questions

Vocabulary Highlights

• Graphite (n): A form of carbon used in pencil leads.

• Encasement (n): A protective covering or casing.

• Refractory material (n): A substance resistant to heat, used in industrial casting.

• Successive (adj): Following one after another.

• Digitalized (adj): Converted into a digital format.

• Bleak (adj): Gloomy, unpromising.

• Sawn (adj/v): Cut with a saw.

• Appetite (n): A strong desire or demand for something.

• Counterpart (n): A person or thing corresponding to another in a different location.

• Grease pencil (n): A wax-based pencil used for writing on smooth surfaces.

Answers & Detailed Explanations

1. tree

• Location: Paragraph 1: “…when a lightning struck a local tree… substance spotted at the root of the unlucky tree…”

• Explanation: The passage states that graphite was found at the roots of a tree struck by lightning.

• Keywords: found under a, Borrowdale.

2. soft

• Location: Paragraph 1: “It was soft, thus left marks everywhere.”

• Explanation: The question asks why it was “dirty to use.” The passage explains it was “soft,” causing it to leave marks everywhere (smudging).

• Keywords: dirty to use, because.

3. sheep

• Location: Paragraph 1: “It was soon put to use by locals in marking their sheep for ownership…”

• Explanation: Ancient people used graphite to mark (sign) their sheep.

• Keywords: ancient people, sign.

4. mines

• Location: Paragraph 2: “Britain turns out to be major country where mines of graphite can be detected…”

• Explanation: People found graphite mines in Britain.

• Keywords: found graphite, in Britain.

5. string

• Location: Paragraph 2: “…graphite sticks were initially wrapped in string or sheepskin…”

• Explanation: The first pencils were graphite wrapped in string or sheepskin. The question provides “animal skin” (equivalent to sheepskin), so the missing word is “string.”

• Keywords: first pencil, wrapped in, animal skin.

6. clay

• Location: Paragraph 3: “…amount of clay content added to the graphite depends on the intended pencil hardness… The more clay you put in, the higher hardness…”

• Explanation: To make a pencil harder, clay is added.

• Keywords: added, make it harder.

7. grease

• Location: Paragraph 6: “…astronauts in Russia used grease pencils…”

• Explanation: Russian astronauts preferred grease pencils.

• Keywords: Russian astronauts, preferred.

8. TRUE

• Location: Paragraph 2: “In Italy, graphite sticks were initially wrapped… becoming perhaps the very first pencil in the world.”

• Explanation: The passage suggests Italy was likely the place where the first (albeit primitive) pencil was created.

• Note: Although paragraph 2 says the “first pencil was invented elsewhere” (outside Britain), the next sentence identifies that place as Italy.

9. NOT GIVEN

• Location: Paragraph 2: “…a superior technique was discovered by German people: two wooden halves were carved…”

• Explanation: The passage only mentions that the Germans used “two wooden halves,” but it does not mention whether they used “various kinds of wood.”

10. FALSE

• Location: Paragraph 3: “The more clay you put in, the higher hardness the core has.”

• Explanation: The passage states that adding clay makes the pencil harder. Conversely, graphite is inherently soft. Therefore, graphite does not make the pencil harder.

11. FALSE

• Location: Paragraph 4: “In England, pencils continue to be made from whole sawn graphite.”

• Explanation: The passage confirms that pencil production continues in England. The statement that they are “no longer produced” is incorrect.

12. FALSE

• Location: Paragraph 6: “But it is also a fact that their counterparts in the United States used pencils in the outer space before real zero gravity pencil was invented.”

• Explanation: The passage confirms that American astronauts used pencils (mechanical pencils) in outer space before specialized ones were invented.

13. FALSE

• Location: Paragraph 7: “A spectrum of users are likely to continue to use it into the future…”

• Explanation: The passage states that many people will continue to use pencils in the future and that the possibilities are limitless. The statement “unlikely to be used” is incorrect.

The passage “The History of the Pencil” is a valuable study resource, combining historical context with technical production processes. Analyzing this passage will not only help you expand your vocabulary related to materials and industry (such as graphite, refractory material, mass production) but also sharpen the logical thinking required to master the challenging True/False/Not Given question type.

We hope this bilingual translation and detailed explanation have helped you master the content and resolve any questions. Keep practicing regularly to improve your Reading skills. Good luck with your upcoming exam!