Q1: Trace the transformation of Richard Ebright from a young man with potential to a respected and accomplished scientist. (Answer in 100-120 words)
Ans: Richard Ebright’s transformation from a curious young boy to a respected scientist was marked by his inquisitiveness and dedication. Starting with collecting butterflies, his interest deepened after reading The Travels of Monarch X, prompting him to tag butterflies to study migration. His experiments, like testing gold spots’ role in monarch pupae, earned recognition at science fairs. Ebright’s perseverance led to significant discoveries, including identifying a hormone’s role in cell development and proposing a DNA model. His consistent curiosity, supported by his mother and teachers, culminated in numerous awards, establishing him as an accomplished scientist dedicated to advancing knowledge.
Q2: What was the role of Ebright’s mother in his life? (Answer in 100-120 words)
Ans: Richard Ebright’s mother played a pivotal role in nurturing his scientific curiosity. As his primary supporter after his father’s death, she encouraged his interests by providing resources like books, a telescope, and a microscope. She drove him to collect specimens and spent evenings fostering his learning through activities and discussions. Her gift of The Travels of Monarch X sparked his butterfly research, shaping his scientific career. By creating a supportive environment and enrolling him in science programs, she fueled his inquisitiveness and perseverance, laying the foundation for his achievements as a renowned scientist.
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)
Ans: The book The Travels of Monarch X opened the world of science to Richard Ebright, igniting his passion for research by describing monarch butterfly migration. Inspired, Ebright began tagging butterflies to track their migration patterns as part of Dr. Urquhart’s research program. He sent the tagged butterflies to various locations, primarily to study their migration routes from the northeastern United States to Mexico. This hands-on experience deepened his scientific curiosity, leading to experiments that earned him recognition and set the foundation for his later discoveries in biology, showcasing how a single book catalyzed his scientific journey.
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)
Ans: The Travels of Monarch X profoundly shaped Richard Ebright’s life by sparking his scientific curiosity. It introduced him to butterfly migration, leading to his tagging experiments and deeper biological research. This book transformed his hobby into a scientific pursuit, paving the way for his achievements.
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)
Ans: Richard Ebright’s journey inspires me through his relentless curiosity, dedication, and perseverance. His inquisitiveness, sparked by The Travels of Monarch X, drove him to explore butterfly migration and complex biological questions, leading to significant discoveries. His dedication to rigorous experiments, even after setbacks, teaches the value of persistence in achieving goals. Ebright’s ability to balance academics, hobbies, and research inspires me to pursue my dreams with discipline and passion. His story motivates me to stay curious, embrace challenges, and seek knowledge relentlessly, reinforcing that consistent effort and a questioning mind can transform dreams into reality, no matter the obstacles.
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.
The extract explicitly states that Ebright’s mother supported his learning by buying him scientific tools like telescopes and microscopes and taking him on trips to collect specimens. These actions nurtured his curiosity and provided hands-on learning opportunities, as detailed in the chapter.
(ii) What impact did his mother’s encouragement have on Ebright’s life?
Ans: His mother’s encouragement ignited Ebright’s scientific curiosity, transforming his hobby of collecting specimens into a focused pursuit of scientific research. Her support through resources and activities laid the foundation for his experiments, leading to his success as a renowned scientist.
(iii) What does this extract reveal about the role of parental support in a child’s development?
Ans: The extract highlights that parental support, through resources and encouragement, is vital in nurturing a child’s potential. Ebright’s mother’s proactive involvement in providing tools and opportunities fostered his curiosity, showing how parents can shape a child’s interests into successful pursuits.
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? | ![]() |