The Surprising History of Erasers: Online ESL Class

50-minute English Lesson

In this online ESL class about inventions, learn how the modern eraser was created.

Read the story

Erasers

Most people don’t erasers unless they need to change something on their paper. Erasers have a long history, but the one on your pencil has been around for a short time.

The history of the modern eraser begins in the 1700s.

It starts in South America where people collected water from rubber trees. They made many things with it. A man from France visiting the area saw this material. He thought it was special, so he sent some to friends in Europe to study.

Some of it went to a man in England. His name was Edward Nairne. One day, Edward was writing at his table and needed an eraser. Instead of using a piece of bread, a popular eraser at the time, he used a piece of rubber that was on his table. He was surprised. It worked better than bread. That’s when Edward had an idea.

Soon, he was selling rubber erasers. He called them rubbers because of the movement. When people erase, they rub paper with an eraser.

How do erasers work? They work like glue. When we write on paper, small pieces of graphite stick to paper. Graphite is the black material inside pencils. When you move an eraser on paper, it becomes warm. When it’s warm, graphite sticks to it and words come off the paper.

Good erasers are hand held. If you want a great product, get an art eraser. It removes the black marks and won’t damage the paper.

Listen without reading

Online ESL class about inventions

English listening lesson: Gap Fill

Listen to the story again and fill in the blanks.

Most people don’t think about erasers unless they need to ________ something on their paper. Erasers have a long history, but the one on your ________ has been around for a short time.

The history of the ________ ________ begins in the ________ .

It starts in South America where people collected water from ________ trees. They made many things with it. A man from France ________ the area saw this material. He thought it was ________ , so he sent some to friends in Europe ____ ________ .

Some of it went to a man _____ ________ . His name was Edward Nairne. One day, Edward was writing at his table and ________ ____ eraser. Instead of using a piece of bread, a popular eraser at the time, he used a piece of ________ that was on his table. He was surprised. It worked ________ ________ bread. That’s when Edward had an idea.

Soon, he was ________ rubber erasers. He called them rubbers because of the ________ . When people erase, they ________ paper with an eraser.

How do erasers work? They work like ________ . When we write on paper, small pieces of graphite ________ to paper. Graphite is the black material ________ pencils. When you move an eraser on paper, it becomes warm. When it’s warm, graphite ________ to it and words come off the paper.

Good erasers are hand held. If you want a great ________ , get an art eraser. It removes the black marks and won’t ________ the paper.

ESL discussion questions

Talk about the esl story.

1. What kind of story is this?
2. Describe the early erasers. How did they work?
3. What natural resource was used to produce the first modern eraser?
4. How do modern erasers remove words from paper?
5. There are many kinds of erasers. Can you name three?

Synonym match

MATCH THE WORD OR PHRASE ON THE LEFT WITH THE CORRECT SYNONYM.

ESL listening activity: anagrams

MOVE THE LETTERS. MAKE A WORD FROM THE ESL LISTENING STORY.

1. CEOLTDECL
2. OADRUN
3. ITHREPGA
4. DREAB
5. MALRTAEI
6. EICEP

Writing practice

Write the five sentences. Put the words in the correct order.

1. eraser / 1700s / the / of / modern / the / the / begins / history / in
2. we / small / of / paper / stick / paper / write / on / to / graphite / when / pieces
3. things / they / made / with / it / many
4. won’t / paper / damage / black / removes / and / the / it / the / marks
5. at / needed / Edward / an / day / and / his / table / writing / one / eraser / was

Another ESL listening story

Try this free online ESL class about a famous invention. Learn about Elisha Otis, the man who invented the elevator brake and changed the history of cities.

Some people think that Otis developed the elevator. Not true! Go to the story and learn the truth!

Reading and note taking

Did you like this ESL listening lesson about erasers? Click to read more facts about erasers in this magazine article.

1. Scan the article.
2. Take notes.
3. Make a list with at least six facts.

Get the worksheet

Want to print out these online ESL class activities? Click to download the PDF worksheet.