NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 06 Braille

Let us Think (Page 58)

Question 1. Describe the Braille alphabet.
Answer: The Braille alphabet is a special system using patterns of raised dots that people can read by feeling them with their fingers. Each letter in the English alphabet has its own unique dot pattern. This method allows blind people to both read and write.
In simple words: Braille uses tiny raised dots on paper. Each dot pattern stands for one letter. Blind people can feel these dots and read the words.

Exam Tip: When describing Braille, always mention the raised dots, the sense of touch, and how it helps blind people read - these are the key points examiners look for.

Question 2. Why was 'Night Writing' not a success?
Answer: 'Night Writing' failed because the system of raised dots and dashes was too hard to understand and use. Since people did not accept it widely, it never became popular.
In simple words: 'Night Writing' did not work because it was too hard. People could not understand it easily, so nobody used it.

Exam Tip: Remember that 'Night Writing' was the system before Braille - know why it failed and why Braille was better.

Question 3. What did Louis Braille do to make reading easier for the blind?
Answer: Louis Braille took the complicated 'Night Writing' system and made it simpler and easier to use. He created the Braille alphabet, which allowed blind people to read using only their sense of touch.
In simple words: Louis Braille made a better system than 'Night Writing'. His system was easier, and blind people could read using their fingers to feel the dots.

Exam Tip: This is a key question - always explain that Louis Braille improved an older system and created something that works much better for blind readers.

B. Think and Discuss

Question 1. You may have seen people with blindness walking with a white cane. Why is the cane always white coloured?
Answer: The white cane colour makes it very visible to other people. When someone carries a white cane, it signals to others that the person is blind, so people can help them or stay alert around them. The white cane has also become a sign of independence for people who are visually impaired.
In simple words: A white cane is easy to see. It tells other people that someone is blind. The white colour helps keep the blind person safe.

Exam Tip: Focus on three things - visibility, safety awareness, and independence - when answering this question.

Question 2. Imagine that the world becomes dark for a day and there is no light. What difficulties might one face on such a day?
Answer: Without light, people would face many struggles like being unable to see where they are walking, finding it hard to read and write, having trouble cooking food, and struggling with work and regular tasks. It would become difficult to know who is around, move without bumping into things, and stay safe. This imaginary situation helps us understand the real challenges blind people face every day and shows us why tools like Braille and white canes are so valuable.
In simple words: Without light, we could not see anything. We could not move safely, read, cook, or do our work. This shows how hard life is for blind people.

Exam Tip: List at least three specific difficulties and connect them back to why blind people need tools like Braille - this shows full understanding of the chapter.

Let us Speak (Pages 58-59)

Question 1. The object in my hand was _________ in shape.
Answer: The object in my hand was round in shape.
In simple words: The shape I felt was round like a ball.

Exam Tip: When describing objects by touch, use simple shape words like round, square, smooth, or rough.

Question 2. The object in my hand was _________ (longer/shorter) than my forefinger.
Answer: The object in my hand was shorter than my forefinger.
In simple words: The object was not as long as my finger.

Exam Tip: Compare the object's size to your own body parts for a clear description.

Question 3. The object in my hand was a _________.
Answer: The object in my hand was a marble.
In simple words: The object was a small round toy called a marble.

Exam Tip: Name the exact object you identified - be specific.

Question 4. Now add two more lines to describe the object.
Answer: (1) It felt smooth and cold to touch. (2) It made a soft sound when I rolled it in my palm.
In simple words: The marble felt smooth and cold. When I rolled it, it made a gentle sound.

Exam Tip: Use sensory words like smooth, cold, hard, soft, and loud to describe how something feels, sounds, and behaves when touched.

Let us Listen (Page 59)

Question. Your teacher will read out the following words. Listen carefully and repeat.
Answer: Do this yourself by listening to your teacher and repeating each word.
In simple words: Listen to your teacher say the words, then say them back.

Exam Tip: This is a listening and speaking activity - pay close attention to how each word sounds and try to repeat it correctly.

Let us Write (Pages 60-63)

Question A. Write these words using the Braille alphabet. You can paste "bindis". One is done for you.
Answer: This is a hands-on activity where you write words in Braille using raised dots. You can draw the dot patterns yourself or use bindis (small sticker dots) to create Braille letters for each word.
In simple words: Use dots to make Braille letters for each word. You can draw the dots or stick small dots onto paper.

Exam Tip: Make sure each Braille letter has the correct number and placement of dots - look at the example carefully before you start.

Question B. Louis Braille lost his eyesight in an accident. Some time ago, a newspaper reported that a child lost one eye while lighting firecrackers. List the precautions that should be taken to protect eyes from harm.
Answer: To keep our eyes safe from harm, we should follow these steps:

1. We should not play with sharp objects or tools.
2. We should wear protective glasses when working with chemicals, machines, or near firecrackers.
3. We should stay at a safe distance while watching fireworks or lighting firecrackers.
4. We should not rub our eyes with dirty hands.
5. We should avoid looking directly at the sun or bright lights.
6. We should always follow safety instructions when using any kind of electrical or mechanical devices.
7. We should keep harmful liquids and sprays away from our face.
8. We should visit an eye doctor regularly for our eyes check-up.
In simple words: Protect your eyes by not playing with sharp things, wearing safety glasses, staying away from danger, keeping your hands clean, and checking your eyes at the doctor every year.

Exam Tip: List all eight precautions clearly - examiners expect a complete answer with specific safety rules, not just general advice.

Question C. Read the following sentences and notice the underlined words.

The key learning here is about the past continuous tense (was/were + verb + ing), which describes an action that started in the past and continued for some time.

• Long ago, in France, a little boy named Louis Braille was playing near his home.
• The cats were sleeping when I reached home.
• Sameer was playing hopscotch last evening.

All of these sentences are examples of events that started in the past and continued for some time.

Rule: If the sentence is about one person, animal, or bird, use 'was + action word + ing.' Example: The student was writing in his notebook.

If the sentence is about more than one person, animal, or bird, use 'were + action word + ing.' Example: The students were writing in their notebooks.

Now change these present-tense sentences to the past tense:

In simple words: To show that someone was doing something for a while in the past, use 'was' or 'were' and add 'ing' to the action word. Use 'was' for one person or animal, and 'were' for more than one.

Question D. Look at the picture story. Now fill in the blanks from the suitable options.
Answer: My friend Tarandeep told me an interesting thing yesterday. She was feeding her friends, the squirrels and the sparrows. She was scattering grains for them. Her grandmother was hanging out the clothes to dry on a clothesline.

Grandmother was entering the house when a strong wind began to blow. When she returned with the clothes pegs, she saw a wonderful scene! The sparrows and squirrels were sitting on the clothes to prevent them from falling. Tarandeep was clapping her hands with joy. Grandmother put the pegs on the clothes, and Tarandeep set down a bowl of water for her friends.
In simple words: All the past continuous verbs (was feeding, was scattering, was hanging, were sitting, was clapping) show actions that were happening for a while in the past.

Exam Tip: Choose the correct form of 'was' or 'were' based on whether the subject is singular (one) or plural (more than one), then add the action word with 'ing'.

Let us Do (Page 64)

Question 1. Take a piece of paper. With the help of a matchstick, or the back of a pencil, press hard on the paper to 'draw' a circle, a plus sign, or a letter of the alphabet. Now, close your eyes, turn the page over, and run your finger on the raised surface on the paper. Can you make out what the shape or outline is? Now, try the same activity with your friend. You may also use white clay for the same.
Answer: Do this yourself.
In simple words: This is a hands-on activity where you learn to feel shapes with your fingers, just like blind people read Braille.

Exam Tip: This activity helps you understand how blind people use touch to read - experience it yourself to appreciate Braille.

Question 2. There are some children with low vision. (For example, wearing thick glasses or holding a book too close to their eyes). Being a classmate and friend, how can you assist them? For example: Bringing a printout of a paragraph with large fonts to help them read.
Answer: As a classmate and friend, I can help children with low vision in the following ways:

1. Bring large print materials or allow them to write class notes in big letters.
2. Help them find their seat or belongings if they are having difficulty.
3. Read aloud when the text is too small or hard for them to see.
4. Make sure the classroom has good lighting and suggest they sit near the window or in front.
5. Be patient and kind, and never make them feel left out.
6. Do not make sudden fast movements they might not notice.
7. Write clearly on the blackboard if you are the monitor or working in a group.
In simple words: Help students with low vision by using large print, reading aloud, keeping them safe, making sure they see well, and treating them kindly like any other friend.

Exam Tip: Show seven different ways you can help - specific, practical actions are better than general kindness statements alone.

Let us Explore (Page 64)

Question. Find out about the nearest resource centre for people with blindness.
Answer: You can find the nearest resource centre for people with blindness by searching online or asking your teacher. Some well-known organisations in India are:

• National Association for the Blind (NAB)
• National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun
• All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB)

In simple words: Search online or ask your teacher to find places in your city that help blind people. Several big organisations in India work to help people who are blind.

Exam Tip: Know the names of at least two major organisations that help blind people in India - this shows you have researched the topic.