Q1: Trace the transformation of Richard Ebright from a young man with potential to a respected and accomplished scientist. (Answer in 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: Richard Ebright’s transformation from a curious child to an accomplished scientist began with his deep interest in collecting butterflies. His mother encouraged his curiosity by providing books, tools, and constant motivation. The book The Travels of Monarch X proved a turning point, leading him to scientific research on monarch butterflies. After losing at a science fair, he learned that real science involved experiments, not just displays. Determined, he conducted a series of investigations—discovering an unknown insect hormone, studying the gold spots on monarch pupae, and later formulating a new theory on how cells read DNA. His curiosity, determination, and will to excel for the right reasons made him a respected scientist.
Q2: What was the role of Ebright’s mother in his life? (Answer in 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: Ebright’s mother played a crucial role in shaping his scientific mind and overall personality. After his father’s death, she became his constant companion and guide. She encouraged his curiosity, bought him books, microscopes, telescopes, and other scientific tools, and took him on trips to broaden his learning. It was she who gave him The Travels of Monarch X, the book that opened the world of science to him. She also ensured he stayed busy learning new things and provided continuous moral and emotional support. Her encouragement, guidance, and belief in his abilities helped Ebright develop a disciplined mind and a lifelong passion for scientific exploration.
Q3: What book opened the world of science to the eager Richard Ebright? Why and where did Ebright send the tagged butterflies? (Answer in 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: The book that opened the world of science to Richard Ebright was The Travels of Monarch X. His mother bought it for him when he had already collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. The book described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America and invited readers to help study their migration by tagging them for research by Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada. Ebright eagerly joined the project, tagging the wings of monarch butterflies and releasing them. The people who found these tagged butterflies were asked to send the tags to Dr. Urquhart, helping scientists study the migration patterns of monarch butterflies.
Q4: Books play a significant role in shaping the personality of a person. In what way did a book cause a significant shift in Richard Ebright’s life? (Answer in 40-50 words) (3 Marks)
Ans: The book The Travels of Monarch X brought a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life. It introduced him to the scientific study of butterfly migration and inspired him to take part in Dr. Urquhart’s research. This experience awakened his scientific curiosity and marked the beginning of his journey as a scientist.
Q5: Ebright’s journey of becoming a leading scientist conveys a strong message to us. His inquisitiveness and competency drove him to become a great scientist. In what manner does Richard Ebright’s perseverance, dedication, and inquisitiveness inspire you to pursue your dreams? (Answer in 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: Richard Ebright’s life inspires me to stay curious, dedicated, and hardworking in whatever I do. His determination to learn from failure, as seen when he lost at the science fair, teaches that setbacks are opportunities to grow. His curiosity led him to ask questions and search for answers through experiments, showing the importance of deep thinking and exploration. Ebright’s success was not based on luck but on continuous effort, discipline, and a desire to do his best for the right reasons. His story motivates me to follow my interests with passion, never give up despite difficulties, and believe that sincere effort and curiosity can turn potential into achievement.
Q6: Read the following extract from the chapter and answer the questions that follow:
“His mother encouraged his interest in learning. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials, and other equipment and helped him in many other ways.”
(i) How did Ebright’s mother encourage his interest in learning?
(a) By teaching him at school.
(b) By providing scientific equipment and trips.
(c) By restricting his hobbies to focus on studies.
(d) By conducting experiments with him.
Ans: B) By providing scientific equipment and trips.
Ebright’s mother encouraged his curiosity by taking him on trips and buying him tools like telescopes and microscopes to explore science practically.
(ii) What impact did his mother’s encouragement have on Ebright’s life?
Ans: Her encouragement nurtured Ebright’s curiosity and love for learning. It helped him develop a scientific temperament and inspired him to pursue experiments that later led to his success as a scientist.
(iii) What does this extract reveal about the role of parental support in a child’s development?
Ans: The extract shows that parental support plays a vital role in shaping a child’s interests and talents. With love, guidance, and opportunities, parents can inspire children to explore their potential and achieve excellence.
Ans: Ebright's curiosity is evident in his early pursuits like collecting butterflies and rocks. He engaged in scientific studies, conducted experiments, and sought answers to complex questions. This drive led him to discover unknown insect hormones and develop a theory on cell life. His insatiable curiosity fueled his journey to becoming a scientist.
Ans: Ebright's mother provided invaluable support and encouragement on his journey to becoming a scientist. She bought him scientific equipment, took him on trips, and engaged him in various learning activities. Her continuous support and belief in his abilities helped shape his passion for science and contributed significantly to his success.
Q3: Why did Richard Ebright raise a flock of butterflies? (2023)
Ans: Richard Ebright raised a flock of butterflies to study their migratory habits. He was inspired by the book "The Travels of Monarch X," which invited readers to participate in butterfly tagging research. Raising a flock of butterflies allowed him to track their migration patterns and gather valuable data for his scientific studies.
Q4: What opinion did Mr. Weiherer, Ebright’s Social Science teacher have about him? (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2023)
Ans: Mr. Weiherer was of a great opinion about Ebright. According to him, Ebright was competitive in a true sense as he didn't want to just win the competition for the sake of winning it but he wanted to prove his experiments truly and contribute to the field of science.
Ans: Richard's mother played an important role in his journey to becoming a scientist. She not only encouraged him but also became his companion in his scientific pursuits. She bought him scientific equipment, took him on trips, and engaged him in various learning activities. Her support and companionship allowed Richard to explore the world of science and learn valuable lessons.
Q6: What are the essential qualities for becoming a scientist, according to Ebright’s teacher? (The Making of a Scientist) (Term II, 2021-22)
Ans: According to Ebright's teacher, Mr. Richard A. Weiherer, the essential qualities for becoming a scientist are having a first-rate mind, curiosity, and the will to win for the right reasons. A good scientist should be driven by a genuine desire to do the best job possible, rather than simply winning for the sake of winning.
Q7: What role did Ebright’s mother play in his success? (The Making of a Scientist) (Term II, 2021-22)
Ans: Ebright's mother played a significant role in his success as a scientist. She provided constant encouragement and support, bought him scientific equipment and books, took him on educational trips, and engaged him in various learning activities. Her involvement and belief in her son's potential helped shape his passion for science and contributed to his achievements.
Q8: Ebright could not win a prize in the Science Fair in class VII. What lesson did he learn? (2021 C)
Ans: When Richard Ebright could not win a prize in the Science Fair in class VII, he learned that simply creating a neat display is not enough to win such competitions. He realized that the winners had conducted real experiments, which taught him the importance of conducting substantial research and experiments in the field of science.
Ans: Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies when he realized that there was no feedback from the tagged butterflies. He had tagged many butterflies and released them to study their migratory habits, but only two of them returned, and they had traveled a relatively short distance of seventy-five miles. The lack of substantial data and feedback discouraged him, leading to a loss of interest in the activity.
Q10: How did Richard Ebright’s mother help him? (2020)
Ans: Richard Ebright's mother provided him with valuable support and assistance in his scientific pursuits. She bought him scientific equipment, such as telescopes, microscopes, and cameras, which allowed him to explore and observe the world around him. She also took him on educational trips and engaged him in various learning activities. Her involvement and encouragement helped Richard in his learning and development as a scientist.
Q11: What lessons did Ebright learn when he entered the County Science Fair in the seventh grade? (2020)
Ans: When Richard Ebright entered the County Science Fair in the seventh grade, he learned the importance of conducting real experiments rather than simply creating neat displays. He displayed slides of frog tissue under a microscope, but he did not win. This experience taught him that winning in a science fair requires conducting substantial experiments and not just presenting attractive displays.
Ans: Richard Ebright used determination and perseverance throughout his life to achieve his aim of becoming a scientist. As a young boy, he participated in the County Science Fair and although he did not win an award, he was determined to try again the next year. In high school, he continued to do scientific experiments to prove various theories revolving around butterflies. His curiosity, determination, and perseverance eventually led him to make notable scientific discoveries, such as identifying the chemical structure of an unknown insect hormone and his theory on the life of cells. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Ebright never gave up and continued to pursue his passion for science.
Q13: "Richard Ebright had all the ingredients required for the making of a scientist." Elaborate. (2019 C)
Ans: To become a scientist, one needs to have certain qualities such as a keen eye, good thinking skills, and a strong work ethic. Richard Ebright possessed all these qualities and more, making him a perfect fit for the role of a scientist. From a young age, Ebright displayed sharpness of mind and curiosity. He began working and conducting scientific experiments from an early age, even collecting and studying various species of butterflies. Despite losing in the Science Fair, he learned the importance of real experiments that produce results and continued to pursue his scientific interests.
In high school, Ebright made a significant discovery that led to a new theory on the life of cells, highlighting the importance of DNA as the blueprint of all life. This discovery propelled him to become a renowned scientist worldwide. Overall, Richard Ebright possessed the essential ingredients for the making of a scientist, including scientific curiosity, hard work, and a sharp intellect.
Q14: Which book did Ebright’s mother get for him? How did it change his life? (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2019)
Ans: Ebright’s mother got him a children’s book titled ‘Travels of Monarch X’. It introduced him to the migration of monarch butterflies to Central America and invited him to participate in butterfly tagging research. This book opened the world of science to the young and enthusiastic butterfly collector
Ans: Richard Ebright's mother played a crucial role in supporting and nurturing his scientific interests. She bought him scientific equipment, took him on trips, and engaged him in various learning activities. Her constant encouragement and involvement helped Richard in his scientific journey and contributed to his success.
Q16: Which book did Ebright’s mother get for him? How did it change his life? (AI2017)
Ans: Ebright's mother got him the book "The Travels of Monarch X". This book opened the world of science for Richard. It invited readers to participate in butterfly tagging research conducted by Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart. After reading the book, Richard became interested in tracking the migration of monarch butterflies. This interest sparked his passion for research and led to many other projects and experiments in the field of science.
Q17: What lesson did Ebright learn when in the seventh grade he entered a County Science Fair? (Foreign 2017)
Ans: When Richard Ebright entered the County Science Fair in the seventh grade, he learned that simply creating a neat display is not enough to win such a competition. He displayed slides of frog tissue under a microscope but did not win. He realized that the winners had conducted real experiments, which gave him a glimpse of what real science entails.
Q18: According to Mr. Weiherer, what makes Richard Ebright a winner? (Delhi Com. 2017)
Ans: According to Mr. Weiherer, Richard Ebright is a winner because of his curiosity, hard work, and the extra effort he puts into his scientific pursuits. He is extremely competitive but does not seek to win for the sake of winning. Instead, he strives to do the best job he can and is driven by a genuine passion for scientific exploration.
Ans: When Richard Ebright could not win a prize at the science fair, he learned that creating a neat display is not sufficient to win such competitions. He realized that the winners had conducted real experiments, which taught him the importance of conducting substantial research and experiments in the field of science.
Q20: Hobbies play a very important role in one’s life. Elaborate on this with reference to ‘The Making of a Scientist’. (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2016)
Ans: Hobbies play a crucial role in life. In "The Making of a Scientist," Richard Ebright's childhood hobby of collecting butterflies sparked his interest in science. This passion led him to study the cells of Monarch butterflies, ultimately shaping him into a renowned scientist.
Ans: Ebright's mother played a vital role in his journey to becoming a scientist. She provided constant support and encouragement, bought him scientific equipment and books, took him on educational trips, and engaged him in various learning activities. Her involvement and belief in his abilities helped fuel his passion for science and contributed significantly to his development as a scientist.
Ans: Richard's mother played a crucial role in his path to becoming a scientist. She supported and encouraged him by buying him scientific equipment, taking him on trips, and providing various learning opportunities. Her unwavering support and active involvement in his scientific pursuits helped nurture his curiosity and passion for science.
Q23: What were the factors that contributed to making Ebright a scientist? (Foreign 2014)
Ans: Several factors contributed to Richard Ebright becoming a scientist. His mother's support and encouragement, the book "The Travels of Monarch X" that sparked his interest in butterfly migration, and his own curiosity and hard work were all significant factors in shaping his scientific journey.
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1. What are the main themes discussed in "The Making of a Scientist"? | ![]() |
2. Who is the author of "The Making of a Scientist" and what is their background? | ![]() |
3. How does the article illustrate the role of failure in scientific research? | ![]() |
4. What qualities are essential for someone aspiring to be a scientist, according to the article? | ![]() |
5. How can readers apply the lessons from "The Making of a Scientist" to their own education and careers? | ![]() |