Please refer to below Exam Question for Class 10 English Chapter 6 Making of a Scientist. These questions and answers have been prepared by expert Class 10 English teachers based on the latest NCERT Book for Class 10 English and examination guidelines issued by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. We have provided Class 10 English exam questions for all chapters in your textbooks. You will be able to easily learn problems and solutions which are expected to come in the upcoming class tests and exams for standard 10th.

Chapter 6 Making of a Scientist Class 10 English Exam Question

All questions and answers provided below for Exam Question Class 10 English Chapter 6 Making of a Scientist are very important and should be revised daily.

Exam Question Class 10 English Chapter 6 Making of a Scientist

Short Answer Type Questions :

Question. Richard Ebright was a famous scientist but he had time for other interests too. What were the other interests and hobbies of Ebright?
Ans. Richard Ebright’s journey as a scientist started since he first began collecting butterflies. However, he found time for other interests and hobbies too. He became a champion debater and public speaker. He was a good canoeist. He was also an expert photographer. He excelled in photographing nature and scientific exhibits.

Question. Who was Dr Frederick A Urquhart? Why did Richard Ebright look to him for fresh ideas?
Ans. Dr Frederick A Urquhart — a scientist and teacher — University of Toronto, Canada — research on butterfly migrations — Ebright — sent him many tagged butterflies — research work — looked to him for fresh ideas and suggestions — Dr Urquhart sent — suggestions — experiments — helped Richard Ebright — winning many prizes in County and International Science Fairs.

Question. How did Richard Ebright excite the scientific world at the age of twenty- two?
Ans. Richard Ebright was just twenty-two when he ‘excited’ the scientific world with a new theory. It was on how cells worked. Ebright and his college room-mate explained the theory in an article in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’. It was the first time that this famous scientific journal had ever published the work of college students.

Question. Why did Richard Ebright admire his teacher Richard A Weiherer?
Ans. Richard Ebright had great respect and admiration for his Social Studies teacher. He was Richard’s adviser to the Debating and Model United Nations Clubs. Richard A Weiherer was the perfect person for Ebright who opened his minds to new ideas.

Question. What book opened the world of science to the eager young collector, Richard Ebright?
Ans. Richard Ebright was fond of collecting things. By the time he was in the second grade, he had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. But the book that opened the world of science to the eager young collector was The Travels of Monarch X. It was a children’s book gifted to him by his mother. The book described how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America.

Question. How did Ebright’s mother help him in becoming a scientist?
Ans. Ebright’s mother — encouraged — interest — learning — took him — trips — bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and several other equipments — she encouraged him in becoming a scientist.

Question. “… There was one thing I could do – collect things.” What did Richard Ebright do in his childhood?
Ans. Richard Ebright was the only child. “There wasn’t much I could do there … . But there was one thing I could do – collect things,” said he. So he did. While still in kindergarten, he started collecting butterflies. By the time he was in the second grade, he had collected all 25 species of butterflies found around his hometown. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He sometimes did star-gazing all night.

Question. How did Ebright’s basement became a home to thousands of monarch butterflies?
Ans. Richard Ebright used to send tagged monarch butterflies to Dr Urquhart for his research work. Chasing butterflies one by one was difficult and he couldn’t catch many. So, he decided to raise some of the butterflies in his basement. He would catch a monarch butterfly, take her eggs and raise them. Then, he would tag the butterflies’ wings and let them go. So, his basement became a home to thousands of monarch butterflies.

Question. How was Richard Ebright’s mother a source of inspiration and encouragement in his quest for learning?
Ans. Richard Ebright was fortunate enough to have a highly helping and encouraging mother. She compensated the early loss of his father. She encouraged his interest in learning. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other equipments. She found work for him and helped him in learning things and in many other ways.

Question. How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian…? Does it simply involve reading many books on the subject? Does it involve observing, thinking and doing experiments?
Ans. The lesson The Making of a Scientist describes in detail the essential ingredients that are necessary in the making of a scientist. We need many more things than observing, thinking and doing experiments. The first thing is the scientific attitude and temperament. To be competitive and to be the best is another ingredient. A first rate mind and scientific curiosity are the two other necessary traits. The will to win for the right reasons is another trait.
The making of an economist and a historian may demand some other virtues. However, the basic ingredients are not much different.

Question. When and how did Richard Ebright get a hint of what real science is?
Ans. Richard Ebright was in the seventh grade when he got a hint what real science was. Actually, he entered a county science fair — and lost. He didn’t get anything while everybody else had won. It was a very sad feeling for young Ebright. His entry was slides of frog tissues. He showed them under a microscope. He realised that winners had tried to do real experiments. On the other hand, he failed because he simply made a neat display.

Question. Why do viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies? What reasons did Richard Ebright give in this regard?
Ans. One of Richard Ebright’s projects was to test the theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarch butterflies. Viceroys looked like monarchs because monarchs didn’t taste good to birds. Viceroy butterflies, on the other hand, tasted good to birds. So, they try to copy and look like them to protect themselves from birds.

Question. What was Richard A Weiherer’s opinion of his student, Richard Ebright?

OR

How did Richard A Weiherer, the Social Studies teacher of Ebright, judge him?
Ans. Mr Richard Weiherer was Ebright’s Social Studies teacher and adviser — Richard A. Weiherer described — Ebright a man of varied interests — Ebright — 3 to 4 hours at night — debate research — research with butterflies — other interests — Ebright — competitive — wanted to be the best.

Question. Were twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa just ornamental? What did Richard Ebright prove in this regard? What honours did this project bring to Richard Ebright?
Ans. Many thought that the twelve gold spots on a monarch pupa were just ornamental. But Dr Urquhart didn’t believe it. Richard built a device that showed that the spots were producing a very important hormone. That hormone was necessary for the butterfly’s full development. This project won Ebright first place in the county fair and an entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Question. How and where did Richard Ebright identify the hormone’s chemical structure?
Ans. After his freshman year at Harvard University, Ebright went back to the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. He did more work on the hormones of the gold spots. Using sophisticated instruments there, he was able to identify the hormone’s chemical structure.

Question. Why and where did Richard Ebright send the tagged butterflies?
Ans. At the end of the book, The Travels of Monarch X — readers were invited — help study monarch butterflies’ migration — asked to tag butterflies — research by Dr Urquhart — Richard Ebright — attaching light adhesive tags — the wings of monarch butterflies — used to send them — Dr Urquhart — his research work.

Question. How did Richard Ebright grow cells from a monarch butterfly’s wing? What did that project win for Ebright?
Ans. Richard Ebright continued his journey further. He grew cells from a monarch’s wing in a culture. He showed that cells could divide and develop into normal butterfly wing scales. They must be fed from the hormone received from the gold spots. This project won first place of zoology at the International Fair.

Question. What lesson did Richard Ebright learn when he didn’t win anything at the County Science Fair?
Ans. Richard Ebright — the seventh grade — sent his first project in the County Science Fair — Everybody else — won something — returned empty handed — a sad experience for him — loss taught — an important lesson in life — realised — to be a winner — have to do real experiments — project of merely showing slides — frog tissues — a microscope didn’t click — real experiments — real science is all about.

Question. How did Richard Ebright give answer to one of the biology’s puzzles—how the cell can read the blueprint of its DNA?
Ans. Richard Ebright — X-ray photos of the chemical structure of a hormone — didn’t cry, “Eureka!” — didn’t even say, “I’ve got it!” — sure — the photos gave him the answer — one of biology’s puzzles — found out how the cell could read the blueprint of its DNA — DNA — the substance in the nucleus of a cell — controls heredity — blueprint for life.

Question. Did Richard Ebright have all the ingredients that are necessary in the making of a scientist? Give a reasoned answer.

OR

Assess Richard Ebright as a scientist.
Ans. Fortunately, Richard Ebright had all the essential ingredients that are necessary in the making of a great scientist. He had a first rate mind and always got first grades in schools. At Harvard, he was second in his class of 1510. He had the curiosity of knowing ‘why’ and ‘how’ of things. Last but not the least, he was competitive and wanted to be the best. He had the will to win for the right reasons.

Question. You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied. If you get an opportunity to work like Richard
Ebright on projects and experiments, which field would you like to work on and why?
Ans. Read about cells — DNA — science books — such subjects — dealt with — Biology — DNA — the blueprint — life — controls heredity — Richard Ebright — wonderful work on cells and DNA — identify the hormone’s chemical structure — discovered — cell can ‘read’ — blueprint of its DNA — DNA — the substance in the nucleus of a cell — controls heredity — determines the form and function of the cell.

 Long Answer Type Questions :

Question. How did Richard Ebright’s not winning anything at his first County Science Fair motivate him to become a great scientist? What lessons did he learn from his failure there?
Ans. Richard Ebright had started the work of butterflies and insects from a very early age. His main work was based on butterflies, particularly monarch butterflies. By the time he was in the second grade, he had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. But he learnt the lesson of his life when he was in the seventh grade. He got a hint of what real science was. He entered the County Science Fair with a project. His project was slides of frog tissues, which he showed under a microscope. In the fair, he failed miserably. He didn’t get anything while everybody else had won something. It was really a very sad feeling for him.
From his first county science fair, Ebright came to know what real science was. He also learnt a lesson of knowing what made a winner. He realised his mistakes. He had only made a neat display of frog tissues under a microscope. He realised that winners had tried real experiments. From then onwards, he looked to Dr Urquhart for new ideas and suggestions. Dr Urquhart gave him number of suggestions for experiments. Continuous research and experimentations won him great honours and prizes locally as well as internationally.

Question. How did The Travels of Monarch X opened the world of science to Richard Ebright?
Elaborate.
Ans. True — The Travels of Monarch X—changed — course of Ebright’s life — told how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America — Richard Ebright — a passionate and eager collector — in the second grade — had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies — found around his hometown — not got The Travels of Monarch X, Richard Ebright’s butterfly collecting — ended — book — a children’s book — gifted to him by his mother — readers — invited to help study butterfly migrations — asked to tag butterflies — research to Dr Urquhart — Ebright — sending — tagged butterflies to Dr Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada — Ebright — raising a flock of butterflies — his basement — several years his basement — home to thousands of monarch butterflies — different stages of development.
Dr Urquhart — a dominating influence — Richard Ebright’s life — elaborate experiments on monarch butterflies — Ebright — succeeded in proving — viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies — avoid being eaten by birds — showed how DNA controls heredity — the blueprint for life.

Question. What other interests, besides science did Richard Ebright pursue? Why did Ebright respect and praise his Social Studies teacher so much?
Ans. Richard Ebright — a scientist — interested in science — first began — butterflies —found time for other interests — a man of many parts – a multifaceted genius —collect butterflies — also took deep interest in other activities — collected rocks, fossils, and coins — an eager astronomer — indulge in star-gazing — became a champion debater —public speaker — this field — Social Studies teacher — Ebright’s tremendous energy — the Debating and Model United Nations Clubs — a good canoeist and all-round outdoors-person — also an expert photographer — excelled in nature and scientific exhibits — enjoyed all pleasures, adventures, hobbies and entertainments that a happy and civilised living provided to him.

Question. Describe Richard Ebright’s various achievements in science, particularly his great work on the monarch butterflies. Who did Ebright look to for getting fresh ideas and suggestions?
Ans. Richard Ebright had all the necessary ingredients that are required in the making of a scientist. He had a first rate mind, was competitive and had the will to win. Above all, he was a great collector and never lost his scientific curiosity. His scientific journey started very early. While he was still in the second grade, he had collected all the species of butterflies found around his hometown. The Travels of Monarch X was the book that changed his life. It opened the world of science to the eager collector. His failure at his first county science fair taught him an important lesson. He learnt that winners do real experiments. One of the most important projects of Richard Ebright was to prove that viceroy butterflies try to look like monarch butterflies. They do so to avoid being eaten by birds. Ebright also proved that twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa produced a hormone that was necessary for the butterfly’s full development. His another project won first place for zoology at the International Fair. It showed that if cells are fed the hormone from the gold spots, they can develop into normal butterfly wing scales.
The crowning achievement of Ebright’s brilliant scientific career was his work on the chemical structure of a hormone. He proved that a cell can read the blueprint of its DNA and thus DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life.
Richard Ebright looked to Dr Urquhat for fresh ideas and suggestions. The book, The Travels of Monarch X, opened the world of science to him. He sent tagged butterflies to Dr Urquhart for his research works. Dr Urquhart’s new ideas and suggestions helped Ebright to achieve prizes and honours in county and International Science Fairs.

Question. Give a character sketch of Richard Ebright highlighting his achievements and his added interests.
Ans. Richard H Ebright was a many faceted genius. He was a competent scientist, a lovable son, a respecting pupil and above all, a man with varied interests and hobbies. But first and foremost, he was a scientist. His fame rests on his wonderful works and achievement on butterflies. By the time he was in the second grade, Ebright collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around in his hometown. Ebright was a great learner. He learnt an important lesson at his first county science fair. He learnt that winners do real experiments than making a neat display. The book, Travels of Monarch X, opened the world of science to the eager young collector. One of his famous projects was based on theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarch butterflies to escape being eaten by birds. This project was placed first in the zoology division. Later, Ebright showed that the spots on a monarch pupa produced a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s development. He also proved that DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life.
Richard Ebright got all his encouragement, help and inspiration from his mother. He was her only companion and they spent almost every evening at the dining table. She encouraged his interest in learning. She bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras and other instruments for him. Dr Urquhart helped him with new suggestions and ideas. His Social Studies teacher, Richard A Weiherer, opened his mind to new ideas and made him competitive.
Richard Ebright was more than a scientist. He found time for other interests and hobbies. He was a champion debater and public speaker. He was a good canoeist and an expert photographer. He had a first rate mind, competitive spirit and scientific curiosity.

Question. Describe the contribution of his mother in Richard Ebright’s life. What role did she play in making Ebright a scientist?
Ans. They say that behind the success of a man stands a woman. And in Richard Ebright’s success as a scientist and also as a man, solidly stood his mother. Richard Ebright’s father had died when he was just in the third grade. “Richie was my life after his father died …,” said his mother. He was her only companion and they spent almost every evening at the dining table. Ebright’s mother encouraged his interest in learning. She knew that her son had a driving curiosity along with a bright mind. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other equipments. She helped Ebright in many ways. She was an important link between Dr Urquhart and her son. She wrote to Dr Urquhart and after her advice, Ebright sent tagged butterflies to him in Canada. She knew that her son had a passion for collecting things. By the time he was in the second grade, Ebright had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. His interest in his butterfly collecting would have ended had she not got him a children’s book called The Travels of Monarch X. That book told how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America. It opened the world of science to the eager collector.

Extract Based Questions :

1. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

Question. How did his mother encourage his interest in learning?
Ans. She encouraged him by taking him on trips and buying scientific equipments like telescopes, microscopes, cameras, etc.

Question. Who motivated Richard to develop his scientific mind?
Ans. His mother was the person who helping his driving curiosity on scientific things.

Question. What two qualities did Richard Ebright possess?
Ans. He had a driving curiosity and a bright mind.

Question. What did Richard enjoy collecting most?
Ans. He enjoyed collecting butterflies most of all.

Question. When did Richard’s father die?
Ans. Richard Ebright’s father died when he was in the third grade.

2. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

So the next step for Ebright was to raise a flock of butterflies. He would catch a female monarch, take her eggs, and raise them in his basement through their life cycle, from egg to caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly. Then he would tag the butterflies’ wings and let them go.

Question. Why did Ebright want to raise a flock of butterflies?
Ans. He started helping Dr. Fredrick A. Urquhart in his research by tagging butterflies.

Question. How did he tag the butterflies?
Ans. He tagged them by attaching light adhesive tags to the wings of the Monarch butterfly.

Question. Name the book which kept Ebright’s interest in butterflies alive.
Ans. The book called ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ rekindled his interest in butterflies.

Question. What was anyone who found a monarch butterfly with a tag asked to do?
Ans. Anyone who found a butterfly with a tag was asked to send the tag to Dr. Urquhart.

Question. How did Ebright raise the butterflies?
Ans. He raised them from eggs to caterpillars to pupa to adult butterflies.

3. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

Beginning in kindergarten, Ebright collected butterflies with the same determination that has marked all his activities. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He became an eager astronomer too, sometimes star-gazing all night.

Question. What other things did he collect besides butterflies?
Ans. He collected rocks, fossils and coins besides butterflies.

Question. Who encouraged this curiosity and learning in him?
Ans. His mother encouraged this curiosity and learning in him.

Question. When did Ebright start collecting butterflies?
Ans. Ebright started collecting butterflies when he was in kindergarten.

Question. With what determination did Ebright collect his butterflies?
Ans. He collected the butterflies with the same determination that marked all his activities.

Question. As an eager astronomer what did he do on some nights?
Ans. As an eager astronomer Ebright star-gazed sometimes all night.