The following statements are true of graphite pencils:
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They are rated according to how dark of a mark they make. - This is correct. Pencils are graded based on their hardness and the darkness of the marks they make, typically using the H (hard) to B (black) scale.
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The less clay there is in the pencil, the darker the mark it makes. - This is also true. Pencils with less clay and more graphite will produce darker marks.
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The higher number of H (hardness) in a pencil rating, the more clay there is in the pencil. - This statement is correct. Pencils rated with higher H numbers (e.g., 2H, 3H) contain more clay, making them harder and producing lighter marks.
The first statement, "They are made of a soft, natural material," is not entirely accurate. While graphite is a natural material, it is not soft in the same sense as other materials (like certain types of wood). Graphite pencils can range from hard to soft depending on the graphite-to-clay ratio.
So the true statements are:
- They are rated according to how dark of a mark they make.
- The less clay there is in the pencil, the darker the mark it makes.
- The higher number of H (hardness) in a pencil rating, the more clay there is in the pencil.