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Quiz about All About Number Two The Pencil

All About Number Two (The Pencil) Quiz

There is more to that pencil sitting on your desk than you ever expected.

A multiple-choice quiz by Starlily. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Starlily

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
360,875

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
423

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What year were erasers first added to pencils? It was the same year that Minnesota was admitted to the Union. Hint

1901

1858

1864

1846

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Question 2 of 10

2. You've probably heard of left-handed scissors, but did you know there are also left-handed pencils? What makes them different from "rightie" pencils? Hint

The way in which the eraser is attached

The orientation of the text on the pencil

The method in which the graphite is inserted

The curve of the wood

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Question 3 of 10

3. Why do most pencils have six sides? Hint

Because their inventor was very superstitious

So they don't roll off the table

Six was considered a "magic" number by the Greeks

To save on yellow paint in the pencil

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which famous brand of pencil shares a name with a US Revolutionary War fort located in New York? Hint

Faber-Castell

Ticonderoga

Angelo

Dixon

5. The world's most expensive pencil is perhaps the Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil. In 2013, it cost $245. It contains a built-in sharpener and non-smudging eraser. What is it made of? Hint

Pine and Gold

Cedar and Platinum

Pine and Silver

Oak and Silk

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Question 6 of 10

6. You know the #2 pencils from those days of standardized testing, but how well do you know the other types of pencils? Which grade of pencil is the softest and the darkest? Hint

#2.5

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which important piece of American history was written with a pencil? Hint

The Star-Spangled Banner

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Now let's move on to famous people who often used or popularized the pencil. Which artist only used Faber pencils for his work? Hint

Vincent Van Gogh

Johannes Vermeer

Pablo Picasso

Leonardo Da Vinci

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Question 9 of 10

9. One certain inventor kept a custom made three-inch pencil with him at all times. Name this famous inventor. Hint

Thomas Edison

Benjamin Franklin

Leonardo Da Vinci

Alexander Graham Bell

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Question 10 of 10

10. Artist Dalton Ghetti is famous for his carvings in the lead of pencils. One of his designs serves as a memorial to all that perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is made up of 3,000 individual carvings, each of a ______. Hint

star

gravestone

tear

face

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What year were erasers first added to pencils? It was the same year that Minnesota was admitted to the Union.

Answer: 1858

A rolled up piece of white bread was used to remove pencil marks before 1770 when Edward Naime picked up a piece of rubber instead. Even then, erasers were not added to pencils until 88 years later.

2. You've probably heard of left-handed scissors, but did you know there are also left-handed pencils? What makes them different from "rightie" pencils?

Answer: The orientation of the text on the pencil

Other "leftie" items include spoons, pens with grips, guitars, computer mice, spiral notebooks, and kitchen tools.

Check out the "Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association" website for other unique facts.

3. Why do most pencils have six sides?

Answer: So they don't roll off the table

While six-sided pencils are the norm, some may have three sides to improve a young child's grip. Others are round.

4. Which famous brand of pencil shares a name with a US Revolutionary War fort located in New York?

Answer: Ticonderoga

On March 30, 2012, Ticonderoga celebrated the 100th anniversary of its #2 pencil. It is also the oldest pencil manufacturer in the United States.

5. The world's most expensive pencil is perhaps the Graf von Faber-Castell Perfect Pencil. In 2013, it cost $245. It contains a built-in sharpener and non-smudging eraser. What is it made of?

Answer: Cedar and Platinum

The wood that makes up the body of the pencil is 240 years old. If you want to order one, you can have it encased in platinum or sterling silver.

6. You know the #2 pencils from those days of standardized testing, but how well do you know the other types of pencils? Which grade of pencil is the softest and the darkest?

Answer: #1

There are two scales for measuring the softness and shade of pencils. The numeric one is used above, but a lettering system is used for marking artists' pencils. In the numeric system, the lower the number, the softer and darker the pencil is.

7. Which important piece of American history was written with a pencil?

Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was originally not meant to be a song. The tune was later added by John Stafford Smith.

8. Now let's move on to famous people who often used or popularized the pencil. Which artist only used Faber pencils for his work?

Answer: Vincent Van Gogh

Van Gogh used Faber pencils because he liked the richness of their color. He has many works made in only pencil, and many pencil versions of his most famous paintings.

9. One certain inventor kept a custom made three-inch pencil with him at all times. Name this famous inventor.

Answer: Thomas Edison

Edison bought these pencils from the Eagle Pencil Company, which was a major pencil manufacturer in the United States at the time. The pencils had to be shorter in order to fit into his vest pocket, and the lead was softer.

Answer: tear

The finished piece is called 3,000 tears. All the single tears are arranged into a large tear-drop shape. He made one tear drop each day, and it took Ghetti about ten years to complete.

Source: Author Starlily

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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