Exercise 2: Read the paragraph below. Then do the tasks that follow.
Louis Braille was born in 1809 in Coupvray. He was a French teacher of the blind. He himself was blind from the age of thee. In 1818 he was a foundling (trẻ bỏ rơi) in the National Institute for the Young Blind in Paris (NIYBP). Soon showing marked ability in both science and music, he became famous in Paris as an organist and violoncellist. In 1826 Braille began teaching the blind in the institute. Braille is known for his idea modifying the Barrier “point writing” system, used for coded army messages, to enable the blind to read. Point writing consists of dots and dashes on cardboard; the Braille system derived from it is used successfully today in many countries.
Task 1: Match one word in A with its definition in B.
A | B |
1. blind 2. ability 3. marked 4. institute 5. consist of 6. foundling 7. derive | a. be formed from the things or people mentioned. b. to come or develop from sth. c. unable to see. d. a baby who has been left by its parents and who is found and taken care of by sb else. e. clear; noticeable; easily seen. f. the mental or physical capacity, power or skill required to do sth. g. an organization that has a particular purpose, especially one that is connected with education or a particular profession. |
Task 2: Decide whether the statements below are true (T) or false (F).
1. _________ Louis Braille was an engineer.
2. _________ Braille was blind in 1812.
3. _________ Braille studied sciences and music well.
4. _________ Braille invented the Barrier point writing system.
5. _________ The Braille system was used in the French army.
Task 3: Answer the questions.
1. When and where was Louis Braille born?
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2. When did he begin teaching the blind in NIYBP?
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3. What did the Braille system derive from?
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4. What was used for coded army messages?
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5. What does the Barrier point writing system consist of?
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