Chapter 6 of 12
Chapter 6: Braille
Inspiring Biography of Louis Braille, Tactile Literacy, Inclusion & Overcoming Adversity | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- The early childhood of Louis Braille in Coupvray, France, and his tragic eye injury in his father's workshop.
- The burning desire of visually impaired students to read and learn independently.
- Captain Charles Barbier's military code ('Night Writing') and its shortcomings.
- Louis Braille's breakthrough: Creating a 6-dot tactile code representing letters, numbers, and music.
- Empathy, disability awareness, and the universal symbol of the white cane.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (15 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
Describe the Braille system of reading and writing. How do visually impaired individuals use it to read books?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The Braille system is a tactile reading and writing method based on an embossed code of raised dots arranged inside rectangular cells.
Each cell has six dot positions arranged in two vertical columns of three dots each. Different combinations of raised dots represent letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, numbers, and musical notes. Visually impaired individuals lightly glide their sensitive fingertips across the raised dots from left to right to read fluently.
Each cell has six dot positions arranged in two vertical columns of three dots each. Different combinations of raised dots represent letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, numbers, and musical notes. Visually impaired individuals lightly glide their sensitive fingertips across the raised dots from left to right to read fluently.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains matrix of 6 raised dots per cell
1.5 M
Describes fingertip touch reading from left to right
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
Why was Captain Charles Barbier's 'Night Writing' system not successful among blind children?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Captain Barbier's 'Night Writing' was originally developed for soldiers in battle to read messages in the dark without lighting lamps. However, it was not successful for general reading because:
1. It was based on complex sound codes rather than letters of the alphabet.
2. It used 12 raised dots per cell, which was too large to fit underneath the pad of a single finger without moving up and down, making reading slow and clumsy.
1. It was based on complex sound codes rather than letters of the alphabet.
2. It used 12 raised dots per cell, which was too large to fit underneath the pad of a single finger without moving up and down, making reading slow and clumsy.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains military origins of Night Writing
1.0 M
Cites 12-dot complexity and inability to cover with one fingertip
2.0 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
What major improvement did young Louis Braille introduce to make reading simple, elegant, and efficient?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Louis Braille simplified the 12-dot military system down to a compact 6-dot cell. This revolutionary improvement meant that every single letter could be felt and recognized instantly under the tip of a single finger in one touch, drastically speeding up reading and allowing blind students to write easily using a slate and stylus.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Reduction from 12 dots to 6 dots
1.5 M
Enables instant recognition under a single fingertip
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Think & Discuss
Why is the mobility cane used by visually challenged individuals always white in color? What difficulties would a person face if the world had no light?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
White Cane Purpose: The cane is painted bright white (often with a red reflective stripe) so that motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians can spot it clearly from afar, immediately recognizing that the traveler is visually challenged and according them safety and right-of-way.
World Without Light: Without light, people would struggle with spatial navigation, reading printed books, identifying family members by appearance, avoiding physical obstacles, and recognizing distant hazards.
World Without Light: Without light, people would struggle with spatial navigation, reading printed books, identifying family members by appearance, avoiding physical obstacles, and recognizing distant hazards.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains high visibility and international recognition of white cane
1.5 M
Reflects thoughtfully on sensory reliance in absence of sight
1.5 M
Q5
Let us Do • Tactile Sensory Activity
Conduct a tactile identification experiment: Blindfold yourself and describe how you can distinguish a coin, a key, an eraser, and a pencil solely through touch.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Tactile Observations through Fingertip Touch:
• One-Rupee Coin: Feels cold and metallic; circular with serrated milled edges and raised national emblems.
• Metal Key: Has a flat head with a circular hole, a long narrow metallic shaft, and jagged teeth cut into one edge.
• Eraser: Feels soft, flexible, matte, and rubbery with sharp right-angled corners.
• Pencil: Long, rigid, cylindrical or hexagonal wooden shaft with a smooth lacquer finish and a sharp tapering graphite cone at one end.
• One-Rupee Coin: Feels cold and metallic; circular with serrated milled edges and raised national emblems.
• Metal Key: Has a flat head with a circular hole, a long narrow metallic shaft, and jagged teeth cut into one edge.
• Eraser: Feels soft, flexible, matte, and rubbery with sharp right-angled corners.
• Pencil: Long, rigid, cylindrical or hexagonal wooden shaft with a smooth lacquer finish and a sharp tapering graphite cone at one end.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Detailed texture, temperature, and shape characteristics for all 4 items
3.0 M
Q6
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 6 ('Braille'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q7
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'Braille', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q8
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q9
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'Braille' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q10
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q11
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'Braille'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q12
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'Braille' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q13
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q14
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'Braille' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q15
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Public Transport Accessibility for Visually Challenged Citizens
The metro rail corporation installed textured yellow paving tiles along station platforms and automated audio announcements inside coaches to help commuters with visual impairment travel independently.
Analytical Task: How do textured paving tiles work as an orientation aid? How does this reflect the spirit of inclusion championed by Louis Braille?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Function of Textured Yellow Tiles: The tiles feature raised parallel bars (indicating a clear path to walk forward) and raised blisters/dots (warning passengers to stop immediately before the dangerous platform edge). Commuters feel these textures through the tip of their white cane and under their footwear.
Reflection of Inclusion: Just as Louis Braille eliminated barriers to literacy through raised dots on paper, tactile infrastructure eliminates barriers to public mobility, empowering people with disabilities to travel with dignity and independence.
Reflection of Inclusion: Just as Louis Braille eliminated barriers to literacy through raised dots on paper, tactile infrastructure eliminates barriers to public mobility, empowering people with disabilities to travel with dignity and independence.
Rubric: 1 Mark for explaining guiding bars vs stop blister tiles; 1 Mark for connecting to universal access and Braille's legacy.