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The History of Pencil Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 02, 2024, 11:57

In the IELTS Reading section, your reading comprehension skills are rigorously tested. Lasting for 60 minutes, this segment comprises three passages, each accompanied by a series of questions in various formats like multiple choice, matching headings, and True/False/Not Given. Success in this section hinges on your ability to grasp key information, discern main ideas, and infer meaning from context.


To ace the IELTS Reading section, adopt effective reading strategies such as skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details. Regular practice with sample questions and exposure to different question types will sharpen your skills for test day.


Prepare for an enlightening exploration of "The History of the Pencil," an insightful look into the evolution and significance of this essential writing tool. Delve into the historical development, technological advancements, and cultural impact of the pencil through engaging passages and accompanying questions, enriching your understanding of how this simple yet profound instrument has shaped human communication and creativity.

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1. The History of the Pencil Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam.

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2. The History of the Pencil Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The History of the Pencil Question & Answers

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1.

The History of the Pencil Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

 

The History of the Pencil Passage

 



 Paragraph A 

Lightning struck first in the history of pencils. In 1564, during a thunderstorm in Borrowdale, England, graphite was discovered when lightning struck a nearby tree. The black substance found at the base of the unfortunate tree was determined to be something other than wood ash by the locals. Because of how pliable it was, it was easily marked. Since chemistry was still in its infancy at the time, it was mistaken for lead because both are equally dark and heavy. The locals quickly found a practical application for it in marking their sheep with symbols of ownership and numerical value.

 

 

Paragraph B

Graphite mines have been found and developed in Britain more so than in any other country. However, a pencil wasn't created until much later. Graphite needs protection because it is so soft. For stability, Italians first wrapped graphite sticks in string or sheepskin, creating the world's first pencil. Next, in the 1560s, an Italian couple likely created the first plans for the modern, wood-encased carpentry pencil. The pencils they used were smaller and flatter than the standard variety. As part of their plan, they carved a hole in a juniper stick. Not long after that, in 1662, Germans figured out how to make a better one by carving a piece of wood in half, inserting a graphite stick, and glueing the two pieces together. This is the same basic process that is still used today. Artists from all over the known world became interested in these primitive pencils after hearing about their usefulness.

 

 

Paragraph C

The "lead" of a modern pencil is actually a mixture of finely ground graphite and clay powders, despite the fact that the graphite core is still referred to as lead. The amalgamation is crucial as the quantity of clay added to graphite depends on the intended pencil hardness. In addition to this, the amount of time spent on crushing the mixture determines the quality of the produced lead. The middle portion becomes more durable by the addition of excessive clay. The European system of grading is used for a large percentage of pencils worldwide and is universal in Europe. A pencil's grade was indicated by a sequence of Hs or Bs, such as BB and BBB for progressively softer leads and HH and HHH for progressively harder ones; B stood for black and H for hard in this naming system. Then, the most common pencil for writing is an HB.

 

 

Paragraph D

In England, they kept using whole sawn graphite to make pencils. But with the mass production of pencils, they are getting drastically more popular in many countries with each passing decade. Graphite usage has been on the rise due to rising demand. China, India, Brazil, North Korea, and Canada are the top five exporters of natural graphite, with total global production in 2012 at 1,100,000 tonnes, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). When the government realised how valuable graphite was, they stepped in to take control of the mines and put guards in place. As moulds for making camion balls, it saw extensive use in the second half of the 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I. It was armed stagecoaches that carried graphite from Keswick to London. The stealing of "wad" or its receipt became a crime under an Act of Parliament passed in 1751. This crime carried a sentence of hard labour or exile.

 

 

Paragraph E

By spending $1000 the United States made a pencil to use in zero gravity conditions in the face of fiction. However, they did not use pencils in outer space before. It is common knowledge that Russian astronauts used grease pencils, which are durable and can't easily be broken. But it is also a fact that their counterparts in the United States used pencils in outer space before real zero gravity pencil was invented. Mechanical pencils were highly preferable over grease pencils which were more favourable to Russians but as they produced smudgy lines, mechanical pencils which produced fine lines were much clearer comparatively. The only detrimental part of such pencils was that they used to break frequently.That bit of graphite floating around the space capsule could get into someone’s eye, or even find its way into machinery or electronics or other problems. Americans stayed dependent on mechanical pencils for many years even though they invented zero gravity pencils.

 

 

Paragraph F

The prospects of pencils seemed bleak against the backcloth of the modernising world. In reality, it does not. The use of pencils is widespread and can be seen in classrooms, meeting rooms and art rooms for instance etc. In the future, it will likely be used by a wide variety of people, including students for writing notes in textbooks, artists for sketching ideas, waiters and waitresses for writing orders on whiteboards, cosmetic artists for applying products to skin, and architects for drawing up plans. It appears that anything is possible.

 

2.

The History of the Pencil Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The History of the Pencil Question & Answers

Questions and Answers 1-4
  • Finish the sentences below.
  • For each answer, choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage.
  • Fill in the blanks 1-4 on your answer sheet with your answers.
  •  

     

    Graphite was discovered beneath a 1._________.

    It was filthy to use in Borrowdale because it was 2._________.


    Graphite was used by ancient people to sign 3.___________.

    People discovered graphite 4.___________ in Britain.

     

     

     

    The History of the Pencil Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)

     

     

     

    Type of question: Sentence Completion

     

    To answer sentence completion questions accurately, read the given sentence carefully and identify the missing word or phrase. Then, consider the context to determine the most suitable answer option that completes the sentence appropriately. Choosing the option that best fits the context will help you answer sentence completion questions accurately.

     

     

     

    How to best answer the question

     

    • Carefully read the incomplete sentence and try to understand what information is missing.
    • Pay attention to the context and any clues provided in the sentence or the surrounding text.
    • Choose the option that best completes the sentence based on the information from the reading passage.



     

    1. Tree

     

    Reference:

    Paragraph A

    Borrowdale, England, graphite was discovered when lightning struck a nearby tree


     

    Explanation

     This line indicates the exact location and context in which graphite was discovered, specifying it was found beneath a tree struck by lightning.


     

    2. Soft


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B

    Graphite needs protection because it is so soft


     

    Explanation

    This line explains why graphite requires protection, emphasising its softness as a key characteristic that influenced its early use and development into pencils.


     

    3. Sheep


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph A

    marking their sheep with symbols of ownership and numerical value 


     

    Explanation

    This line describes how locals initially used graphite, highlighting its practical application in marking sheep, underscoring its importance in everyday tasks.


     

    4. Mines


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B
    Graphite mines have been found and developed in Britain more so than in any other


     

    Explanation

    This line points out that Britain was notable for discovering and developing graphite mines, establishing the country's significant role in the early history of pencil making.

    Questions and Answers 5-7
  • Complete the notes below
  •  

     

    5.________ mines have been discovered and developed in the United Kingdom more than in any other country. A pencil, on the other hand, was invented much later. Because graphite is so 6.________, it must be protected. Italians first wrapped graphite 7._______in string or sheepskin for stability, resulting in the world's first pencil.

     

     

    The History of the Pencil Reading Answers with Explanations (5-7)

     

     

    Type of question: Note Completion

     

    In note completion questions, you are required to fill in the gaps in notes or summaries using information from the reading passage. This task assesses your ability to find specific details within the passage and requires you to understand and identify the main points. 

     

    How to best answer the question

     

    • Understand what specific information you need to fill in the blanks.
    • Quickly read through the passage to get a general understanding of its main ideas, key points, and the context surrounding the information you need to complete.
    • Pay attention to keywords or phrases in the notes provided. 
    • Once you've identified the keywords, scan the passage to locate the section that contains the information needed to complete the notes. 
    • Be prepared for the information in the passage to be paraphrased or expressed using synonyms. 
    • Ensure that the completed notes fit logically within the context of the passage. 


     

    5. Graphite


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B 

    Graphite mines have been found and developed in Britain more so than in any other


     

    Explanation

    This line explains the prevalence of graphite mines in Britain, indicating the extensive development of graphite resources compared to other countries.


     

    6. Soft


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B 

    Graphite needs protection because it is so soft


     

    Explanation

    This line highlights the inherent softness of graphite, explaining why it requires protection to be used effectively in pencils.


     

    7. Sticks


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B 

    For stability, Italians first wrapped graphite sticks in string or sheepskin


     

    Explanation

    This line details the early method used by Italians to stabilise graphite by wrapping it in string or sheepskin, which led to the creation of the first pencils.

     

    Questions and Answers 8-13
    Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
    In boxes 8-13 on your answer sheet, write

    • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
    • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
    • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

     

     

    8.  Italy was most likely the first country in the world to manufacture pencils.
    9.  Germany made pencils out of various types of wood.
    10. Graphite hardens and sharpens pencils.
    11. Pencils are no longer manufactured in the United Kingdom. 
    12. In space, American astronauts did not use a pencil.
    13. Pencils will most likely not be used in the future.

     

     

    The History of the Pencil Reading Answers with Explanations (8-13)

     

     

    Question Type:  True/False/Not Given

     

     

    In this task, you are presented with a statement, and your task is to determine if it agrees with the information in the passage (True), contradicts the information in the passage (False), or if there is insufficient information in the passage to decide (not given).


     

    How to best answer the question:

     

     

    • Read the statement carefully to ensure you understand exactly what it is saying. 
    • Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and specific information.
    • Scan the passage to find the section where the relevant information is likely to be located. 
    • Focus on finding evidence that either supports or contradicts the statement.
    • True: If the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
    • False: If the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
    • Not Given: If there is no information in the passage that confirms or contradicts the statement.


     

    8. True


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph B 

    For stability, Italians first wrapped graphite sticks in string or sheepskin, creating the world's first pencil. Next, in the 1560s, an Italian couple likely created the first plans for the modern, wood-encased carpentry pencil.


     

    Explanation

    The passage mentions that Italians were the first to wrap graphite sticks in string or sheepskin, which is considered the creation of the world's first pencil. Additionally, it specifies that an Italian couple likely developed the first plans for the modern, wood-encased pencil in the 1560s. This indicates that Italy was most likely the first country to manufacture pencils, making the statement true.

     

    9. Not Given


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph 

    NA


     

    Explanation

    The passage does not provide information about Germany making pencils out of various types of wood, so the statement is "Not Given."


     

    10. False


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph C

    The amalgamation is crucial as the quantity of clay added to graphite depends on the intended pencil hardness.


     

    Explanation

    This line indicates that clay, not graphite, is added to determine the hardness of pencils, thus contradicting the statement that graphite hardens pencils.


     

    11. False


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph D

    In England, they kept using whole sawn graphite to make pencils.


     

    Explanation
    This line shows that pencil manufacturing continues in the United Kingdom, directly contradicting the statement that pencils are no longer manufactured there.


     

    12. False


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph E

    But it is also a fact that their counterparts in the United States used pencils in outer space before real zero gravity pencil was invented.


     

    Explanation

    This line confirms that American astronauts did use pencils in space before the zero gravity pencil was invented, making the statement false.


     

    13. False


     

    Reference:

    Paragraph F

    The prospects of pencils seemed bleak against the backcloth of the modernising world. In reality, it does not.


     

    Explanation

    This line clarifies that despite seeming bleak, the prospects of pencils are actually not bleak, and they are expected to continue being used in the future, contradicting the statement.

     

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    FAQs

    Q. How can I get 8.5 in IELTS reading?

    Ans. To achieve an 8.5 in IELTS Reading, focus on intensive practice with authentic test materials to improve your reading speed and accuracy. Develop strong skimming and scanning techniques to quickly identify key information. Enhance your vocabulary and ability to comprehend complex passages by regularly reading academic texts and articles. Lastly, simulate exam conditions during practice to manage time effectively and build confidence under timed pressure.

    Q. Can we switch between sections in IELTS reading?

    Ans. No, you cannot switch between sections in the IELTS Reading test. Once you begin a section (which consists of a passage and its accompanying questions), you must complete all the questions within that section before moving on to the next. It's important to manage your time efficiently within each section as you won't be able to revisit previous sections once you've moved forward. This structure is designed to assess your ability to comprehend and respond to different types of reading tasks effectively within a specified timeframe.


     


     

    Q. Which part of IELTS reading is most difficult?

    Ans. The difficulty level of the IELTS Reading test can vary depending on individual strengths and weaknesses, but many candidates find the Academic Reading test more challenging than the General Training Reading test. This is primarily because Academic Reading passages are often denser and more complex, requiring a higher level of comprehension and vocabulary.