Pencils and the point of it all!

Roughly how many low-tech pencils are sold in the U.S. each year?

Which material is naturally occurring and forms the main writing part of the pencil?

• A) Clay
  

• B) Carbon
  

• C) Graphite
  

• D) Iron
  

What type of wood is most commonly used to make pencils?

• A) Pine

• 
  B) Redwood
  

• C) Cedar
  

• D) Oak

xWhat determines how hard or dark a pencil’s lead will be?

• A) The ratio of graphite to clay
  

• B) The amount of lacquer
  

• C) The type of cedar used
  

• D) The drying time

Who discovered that mixing graphite, clay, and water could make pencil lead during a graphite shortage?

• A) Thomas Edison
  

• B) Hyman Lippman
  

• C) Joseph Reckendorfer
  

• D) Nicholas Jacques Conte

What are the grooves cut into the wooden slats for?

• A) To help the pencil roll
  

• B) To hold the graphite core
  

• C) To make room for glue
  

• D) To shape the hexagon

Why are pencils coated with lacquer or enamel?

• A) To improve durability and appearance
  

• B) To make them smell better

• C) To hold the graphite in place
  

• D) To change the hardness of the lead

Who patented the idea of attaching an eraser to a pencil?

• A) Nicholas Conte
  

• B) Hyman W. Lippman
  

• C) Thomas Jefferson
  

• D) Joseph Reckendorfer

What do workers do before pencils are distributed to the public?

• A) Dip them in wax
  

• B) Test them for writing quality and discard flawed ones
  

• C) Number them by hand
  

• D) Paint them with gold foil

Our 6th graders use a lot of pencils! Based on what you learned, what’s the most responsible way to take care of your pencils?

• A) Break them when you’re done
  

• B) Leave them on the floor for your teacher to pick up.
  

• C) Sharpen gently and store them properly so they last longer
  

• D) Throw them away after one use