BRS Braille Literacy & Instruction 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'interpoint' braille?
- Braille embossed on both sides of the paper with dots interlocked (Correct answer)
- A two-sided print document with braille overlay
- Braille with enlarged dot spacing for low vision users
- Digital braille transmitted via Bluetooth
Correct answer: Braille embossed on both sides of the paper with dots interlocked
Interpoint braille is embossed on both sides of the paper, with the dots on each side interlocking so they do not overlap, reducing paper use.
Question 2: When introducing braille to a student who has significant tactile hypersensitivity, the BRS should first:
- Begin directly with braille dot discrimination exercises
- Engage in desensitization activities to normalize tactile input (Correct answer)
- Delay braille instruction until sensitivity resolves naturally
- Switch the student to an auditory-only literacy approach
Correct answer: Engage in desensitization activities to normalize tactile input
Desensitization activities help normalize the student's tactile system before introducing the fine discrimination demands of braille dot reading.
Question 3: What is the standard cell spacing and line spacing in braille production according to BANA guidelines?
- 3/16 inch between cells, 1/4 inch between lines (Correct answer)
- 1/8 inch between cells, 1/2 inch between lines
- 1/4 inch between cells, 3/8 inch between lines
- Variable, determined by embosser manufacturer
Correct answer: 3/16 inch between cells, 1/4 inch between lines
BANA guidelines specify approximately 3/16 inch between braille cells horizontally and 1/4 inch between lines vertically as standard spacing.
Question 4: A student who is an efficient braille reader typically reads using which finger or fingers?
- Both thumbs
- The index fingers of both hands (Correct answer)
- The dominant hand's index and middle fingers only
- All eight fingers simultaneously
Correct answer: The index fingers of both hands
Efficient braille readers typically use the index fingers of both hands as their primary reading fingers, often with a two-hand cooperative reading technique.
Question 5: The Cranmer Abacus is used in conjunction with braille instruction primarily to teach:
- Phonics and literacy skills
- Arithmetic and mathematical computation (Correct answer)
- Orientation within a braille page
- Music notation counting
Correct answer: Arithmetic and mathematical computation
The Cranmer Abacus is a modified abacus used by blind students to perform arithmetic and mathematical computations tactilely.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an 'initial-letter contraction' in Grade 2 braille?
- The word 'the' represented by a single cell
- The word 'receive' abbreviated using only its first letter cell
- A word abbreviated by its first letter combined with a dot pattern denoting context (Correct answer)
- A number sign followed by a letter
Correct answer: A word abbreviated by its first letter combined with a dot pattern denoting context
Initial-letter contractions use the braille cell for a word's first letter combined with additional dot patterns to represent a full word in context.
Question 7: During a braille readiness assessment, a BRS would evaluate all of the following EXCEPT:
- Tactile discrimination
- Hand and finger strength and dexterity
- Visual field of the student (Correct answer)
- Cognitive readiness for symbolic representation
Correct answer: Visual field of the student
Visual field assessment is not a component of braille readiness; braille readiness focuses on tactile, motor, and cognitive factors.
BRS Braille Literacy & Instruction 4
Which of the following best describes 'interpoint' braille?