NCERT Solutions Class 9 Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6: Construction PDF (2026-27)

Get complete, official step-by-step NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Skill Education (Kaushal Vikas) Chapter 6: Construction PDF for academic session 2026–27. This chapter is part of Work with Machines and Materials. All textbook in-text tasks, activities, portfolio assessments, and check-your-understanding questions have been verified by senior subject matter experts against the official NCERT prescribed syllabus.

NCERT Class 9 Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6 Textbook Solutions

Section 6.2 Process Chart Questions & Solutions

Q1. PORTFOLIO: 1. What type of construction work will you take up in your school or community? Why? 2. Are there any specific considerations you will keep in mind?
Answer:
1. Selected Construction Work & Reason: We will construct a small ramp / flower bed / handwash stand in our school. We selected this work because it fulfills a practical need for our school community, making the building accessible or improving facility cleanliness.
2. Specific Considerations: According to the chapter, the key considerations to keep in mind when deciding the scope of work are:
Utility: Ensuring the structure is useful for the school or community.
Material and Resource Availability: Checking whether bricks, sand, cement, gravel, and water are available and whether their costs fit our budget.
Location & Safety: Selecting a safe site within or near the school that can be reached easily to transport materials and tools safely.
Skill & Management: Ensuring the task can be safely handled by students under teacher or expert guidance.

Section 6.3 Site visit Questions & Solutions

Q1. PORTFOLIO: Use the pointers in Table 6.2 for discussion with practitioners and take notes.
Answer: Model Site Visit Observation Log:
Tools and materials used: Materials observed include bricks, cement, sand, gravel, and water stored in dry, covered sheds. Tools used include trowels (karni), hoes, wooden floats, spirit levels, plumb bobs, water level tubes, and wire brushes, which are cleaned and maintained after daily use.
Key processes: Setting out reference lines using string and chalk, digging and leveling the foundation, soaking bricks in water for 6 – 12 hours, preparing cement mortar (1:3 or 1:4 ratio), laying bricks in staggered bonds (English or Stretcher bond), curing with water for 14 – 28 days, plastering (12 – 15 mm thickness), and painting.
Schedules: Daily morning line-out and mortar preparation, afternoon brick-laying, and daily curing schedules (morning and evening).
Safety protocols: Wearing protective gloves and masks when handling dry cement and sand, storing bricks neatly in low stacks to avoid tumbling, keeping walking areas free of water spills to prevent slipping, and using retractable metre tapes carefully.
Quality criteria: Using clean, impurity-free sand; soaking bricks before use so they do not absorb moisture from mortar; maintaining vertical alignment using a plumb bob; and ensuring surfaces are level using a spirit level and water level tube.
Use of technology: Using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for technical drawings and laser scanners or robotic tools for checking structural alignment.

Q2. Think of any other points for observation while visiting the site. For example:
What do the practitioners value the most about the work (for example, quality of construction, specific processes, pride in building something useful, etc.)?
You can ask about possible challenges you may face during construction and how to overcome them.
Answer: Model Student Discussion Notes:
1. What Practitioners Value Most: Masons and civil engineers value the structural quality, durability, and strength of the building, taking pride in creating safe, long-lasting facilities like schools, roads, and ramps that serve the community. They also value precise alignment (keeping walls perfectly vertical using a plumb bob) and proper curing.
2. Possible Challenges & Solutions:
Challenge 1 (Mortar Drying Too Quickly in Heat): Mortar dries rapidly in hot weather, weakening the cement bond. Solution: Mix cement mortar in small quantities as needed and lightly dampen brick surfaces before applying mortar.
Challenge 2 (Bricks Absorbing Mortar Moisture): Dry bricks suck water out of fresh mortar, causing mortar failure. Solution: Soak bricks in water for a minimum of 6 – 12 hours before laying.
Challenge 3 (Uneven or Crooked Walls): Solution:* Check vertical alignment repeatedly with a plumb bob and check horizontal level using a spirit level or water level tube.

Section 6.4 Making a technical drawing of the selected structure Questions & Solutions

Q1. PORTFOLIO: Make a drawing to scale of the construction you want to take up. Show the side view, plan and elevation. Clearly mark the dimensions and the scale.
Answer: Model Technical Drawing Plan and Scale Calculation (based on Caselet Figure 6.6):
Structure Selected: Ramp for school accessibility.
Actual Field Dimensions: Length = 6 m (600 cm), Width = 1.5 m (150 cm), Height = 0.5 m (50 cm).
Scale Selected: 1:100 (1 cm on paper represents 100 cm [1 m] on the field).
Paper Dimensions:
Elevation (Front/Longitudinal View): Length = 6 cm, Height = 0.5 cm (showing sloped triangular profile).
Side View: Width = 1.5 cm, Height = 0.5 cm.
Top View (Plan): Length = 6 cm, Width = 1.5 cm.
Drawing Procedure:
1. Draw the Top View (Plan) as a rectangle of 6 cm × 1.5 cm.
2. Draw the Elevation directly above, showing a right-angled triangular slope of length 6 cm rising to 0.5 cm.
3. Draw the Side View showing a rectangle of 1.5 cm × 0.5 cm.
4. Label all dimensions clearly and write the scale: “Scale 1:100 (1 cm on paper = 100 cm on field)”.

Section 6.8 Minor repair and maintenance Questions & Solutions

Q1. TASK: Carrying out minor repairs — Step 1: Mix one part cement and three parts sand. Step 2: Add water slowly to make a smooth, thick paste. Step 3: Clean the surface and lightly sprinkle water on it. Then apply the mortar on cracks, joints, tiles or uneven surfaces using a trowel.
Answer: Model Activity Execution and Observation:
Procedure:
1. Identified damaged plaster and minor wall cracks on the school garden wall.
2. Measured 1 part cement and 3 parts clean sand (1:3 ratio for repair mortar) and mixed them thoroughly in dry state.
3. Added water gradually while stirring until a smooth, thick paste was formed that holds firm on a trowel without sliding off.
4. Brushed away loose debris and dirt using a wire brush, then lightly sprinkled clean water on the surface so the dry wall would not absorb moisture from the mortar.
5. Applied the mortar smoothly into cracks and joints using a trowel (karni), pressed it firmly, and smoothed the surface with a wooden float.
Observation & Result: The mortar filled all cracks smoothly and bonded tightly to the wall surface. Daily water curing was carried out for 14 – 28 days to complete the chemical reaction and ensure maximum strength.

Section 6.10 Finishing the product Questions & Solutions

Q1. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING: Think about the work you did. What did you enjoy? Did you face any challenges? If yes, describe them and what you did to overcome them.
Answer: Model Class 9 Student Reflection:
What I Enjoyed: Mixing cement mortar in the correct 1:3 ratio, applying cement paint smoothly on the ramp sides, and using a spirit level to verify that the surface was flat.
Challenges Faced & Solutions:
Challenge 1: Initial cement paint mix developed lumps. Solution: Added water slowly in small amounts while stirring continuously to get a smooth, lump-free consistency.
Challenge 2: Keeping track of daily curing over several weeks. Solution: Formed a student roster to spray water on the plastered surface for 10 minutes every morning for 28 days.

Q2. PORTFOLIO: Maintain a record of the work done by you. Take photographs, if possible, at each step of construction.
Answer: Model Construction Activity Log:
Step 1 (Site Preparation & Ground Marking): Cleared grass and loose dirt, sprinkled water to settle dust, and used a metre tape and chalk line to mark reference boundary lines.
Step 2 (Foundation & Leveling): Leveled the ground soil and checked horizontal level using a water level tube and spirit level.
Step 3 (Soaking Bricks & Brick Laying): Soaked clay bricks in water for 8 hours. Laid bricks using 1:3 cement mortar in an English bond pattern, checking verticality with a plumb bob.
Step 4 (Plastering & Curing): Cleaned the brick surface with a wire brush, applied 12 mm thick 1:4 cement plaster using a trowel and float, and sprayed water daily for 28 days for curing.
* Step 5 (Painting & Finishing): Applied two coats of water-resistant cement paint, leaving 24 hours drying time between coats, placed a “Wet Paint” sign, and cleaned up debris from the site.

Section 6.12 Assess your learning Questions & Solutions

Q1. Look around your school or neighbourhood, and identify any one structure. Identify the basic structural elements (foundation, walls, roof, beams or columns) that you can observe and describe their functions.
Answer:
Identified Structure: School Building / Community Hall.
Basic Structural Elements and Functions (based on Section 6.1):
1. Foundation: The underground structural base that supports the entire building’s weight, prevents cracks, increases building life, and protects against natural calamities like earthquakes.
2. Walls: Vertical barriers made of bricks, stones, or cement panels that enclose space, support roof loads (in load-bearing structures), and protect occupants from weather.
3. Beams: Horizontal structural elements that support the load of upper floor slabs or roofs and transfer the weight to columns.
4. Columns: Vertical structural pillars supporting beams that transfer the total weight of the building down to the foundation.
5. Roof: The upper enclosing element (built using slabs, rafters, or trusses) that protects the building interior from rain, heat, and sun.

Q2. What kind of construction has been used for your house or school (Load-bearing construction or RCC construction)? Write the reasons for selecting particular types of construction.
Answer:
Type of Construction Used: Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) frame construction.
Reasons for Selection based on Chapter Text:
1. Multi-Storey & Heavy Load Support: In RCC construction, the building weight is carried by a strong framework of concrete pillars (columns) and horizontal beams reinforced with steel bars, making it suitable for multi-storey school buildings where floor loads are high.
2. Earthquake & Structural Safety: RCC structures are extremely strong and earthquake-resistant compared to simple load-bearing walls.
(Note: Single-storey houses may select Load-Bearing Construction because walls directly transfer roof weight to the ground, making them simpler, less expensive, and easy to repair for low loads).

Q3. Suppose you are asked to construct a small boundary wall in your school. List the major steps you would include in the process chart and explain why sequencing of steps is important.
Answer:
Major Steps in Process Chart (based on Table 6.1 & Section 6.9):
1. Preparing the technical construction drawing and Bill of Materials (BoM).
2. Preparing the ground (cleaning grass/debris, sprinkling water).
3. Marking layout and reference lines on the ground (line out).
4. Preparing a firm, level foundation.
5. Soaking bricks in water for 6 – 12 hours.
6. Brick laying using cement mortar while checking alignment with a plumb bob and spirit level.
7. Plastering the wall surface.
8. Curing (spraying water regularly for 14 – 28 days).
9. Finishing and painting (e.g., applying cement paint).
Importance of Sequencing: Following the correct sequence is essential because each step depends on the completion of the previous step. For example, bricks must be soaked before laying so they do not absorb water from mortar, reference lines must be marked before laying bricks to prevent crooked walls, and plastering/curing must precede painting to ensure a strong chemical bond and smooth finish.

Q4. Identify three safety rules that must be followed at a construction site. Explain how ignoring any one of them could lead to an accident.
Answer:
Three Essential Safety Rules (based on Tables 6.3 & 6.4):
1. Wear Personal Protective Equipment: Use protective gloves when handling cement or lime, and wear a face mask when handling dry sand or paint.
2. Maintain Safe Tool Handling: Hold sharp tools like chisels, trowels, and hoes firmly by their handles, and keep a safe distance from others while working.
3. Keep Walkways Clean & Prevent Water Spills: Avoid water spillage in standing or walking areas, and stack bricks neatly in low rows.
Explanation of Ignoring a Safety Rule: If a worker ignores the rule to wear gloves and face masks while mixing cement and handling dry sand, inhaling cement dust causes severe respiratory irritation, while direct skin contact with alkaline cement causes skin burns and eye injuries. Similarly, water spillage on walking paths causes slipping and fall accidents.

Q5. Cement was left exposed in the room during the rainy season for many months. What might happen to cement and why ?
Answer:
What Happens: The exposed cement will absorb moisture from the humid air, react chemically, form hard solid lumps, and set into useless stone-like blocks.
Why: Cement is a binding material that reacts chemically with water/moisture (hydration process) to set and harden. Table 6.3 explicitly mandates storing cement in a dry place to prevent premature hydration and hardening prior to mixing.

Q6. Often, during summer season, especially during a drought year, the Government bans construction activities. Why do you think this is done?
Answer: The Government bans construction activities during drought summers primarily to conserve water. As explained in the chapter, construction requires large volumes of water for mixing cement mortar/concrete and for the critical curing process (spraying water daily for 14 – 28 days to strengthen cement bonding). During a drought, precious water resources must be prioritized for drinking, domestic needs, and agriculture rather than construction.

Q7. A student is laying bricks to make a boundary wall and decides to skip using the plumb bob to save time, claiming they can ‘see’ if the wall is straight. What is the specific technical risk of relying on visual estimation instead of a plumb bob? If the wall is even slightly ‘out of plumb’ (not perfectly vertical), how might this affect the building’s safety over the years?
Answer:
Specific Technical Risk: Visual estimation cannot detect slight angular tilts. The plumb bob is the specific tool used to ensure a structure is perfectly vertical (perpendicular to the ground).
Effect on Safety Over the Years: According to Section 6.9.3, structures are designed to push load weight straight down into the ground. If a wall is even slightly ‘out of plumb’ (tilted), gravity acts unevenly on the structure, creating sideways bending forces that weaken the wall, lead to severe structural cracks, and eventually cause the wall to collapse under its own weight or during earthquakes.

Q8. Of the tasks that you did, which did you enjoy the most? Which did you enjoy the least? Give examples of what went well and what did not go well. What would you do differently next time?
Answer: Model Reflection:
Most Enjoyed Task: Soaking bricks, laying them in an English bond pattern, and using a spirit level and plumb bob to verify alignment.
Least Enjoyed Task: Cleaning rough brick surfaces with a wire brush due to flying dust particles.
What Went Well: Estimating the required number of bricks (adding 10% for wastage) and preparing cement mortar in a 1:3 ratio worked accurately.
What Did Not Go Well: Our first batch of mortar dried out before we could apply it because we mixed too much water and cement at once.
* What to Do Differently Next Time: Mix mortar in smaller, manageable batches as needed, and wear safety goggles and masks during wire brushing.

Q9. Give examples of how you can apply your learnings in a real-life situation.
Answer:
1. Carrying Out Minor Repairs: Prepare a 1:3 cement-sand mortar paste to repair small wall cracks, broken tiles, or loose outdoor steps at home or school, ensuring the surface is cleaned and sprinkled with water first.
2. Proper Curing Practice: Spray water on new plaster, concrete, or brickwork daily for 14 to 28 days to ensure full chemical bonding and maximum structural strength.
3. Ensuring Alignment: Use a spirit level when installing shelves or picture frames to ensure they are horizontal, and use a plumb bob when erecting vertical posts or fences.
4. Estimating Construction Costs: Calculate the 3D volume of a structure to estimate the exact number of bricks (adding 10% for wastage) and materials required for a Bill of Materials (BoM), avoiding material waste and saving money.

More Kaushal Vikas Chapters & Study Resources

• ⬅️ Previous: Chapter 5: Shaping Materials
• ➡️ Next: Chapter 7: Apparel
• 📚 All Class 9 NCERT Books: Class 9 NCERT Books (2026–27)
• 📖 Full Library: All NCERT Books PDF (Class 1–12)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the main objective of Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6?
Ans: Chapter 6 (Construction) provides Grade 9 students with foundational vocational knowledge, real-world skill-building tasks, and practical applications in Work with Machines and Materials.

Q2: Are these solutions verified according to the 2026–27 CBSE curriculum?
Ans: Yes. All questions, exercises, and tasks are solved directly from the official NCERT 2026–27 textbook following official NCERT pedagogical guidelines and the latest CBSE marking scheme.