CBSE Class 10 English The Making of a Scientist Worksheet Set C

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What did Ebright learn Tn the county science fair? 
Answer. In the county science fair, Ebright teamed that in order to win the prize, he needed to show a real experiment rather than a neat display of research. He failed in the fair as he just showed the slides of the frag tissues and no real experiment

Question. Which book did Ebright’s mother get for him? How did it change his life? 
Answer. Ebright’s mother got him a children’s book titled ‘The Travels of Monarch K. The book described how Monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book opened the world of science to the young and an enthusiastic butterfly collector, Ebright.

Question. What did Ebright Like to do since childhood ?
Answer. Since childhood, Ebright used to collect objects. His passion was to collect butterflies, rock fossils and coins.

Question. Why did Ebright Lose interest in tagging butterflies?
Answer. Ebright Lost his interest in tagging butterflies as it was a less rewarding job. Also, out of all the butterflies that he tagged, only two could be recaptured. So, ultimately, he lost his interest in it.

Question. Hobbies play a very important role in one’s life. Elaborate this with reference to “The Making of a Scientist” 
Answer. As there were no one to play with Ebright, his mother encouraged him to learn new things. Richard Ebright started collecting butterflies as a hobby. This led him to research and discover many things. Hence, hobbies play an important role in one’s life.

Question. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist? 
Answer. The author mentions three qualities that go into the making of a scientist -a first-rate mind, curiosity, and willingness to win for the right reasons.

Question. Richard Ebright’s mother was his greatest support. Expound.
Answer. Ebright’s mother played an important role in making him a scientist. She motivated him to learn new things. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting material and other equipment.

Question. What were the factors which contributed to making Ebright a scientist?
Or
What are the essential qualities for becoming a scientist, according to Albright’s teacher?
Answer. Sharp brain, d y observant, anal tic mind, driving curiosity, the keen interest in the subject and strong will for the right cause are some of the essentials for the making of a scientist. He should not run after prizes, have a competitive spirit but not in a bad sense.

Question. Richard’s mother was his companion and spent a tat of time with him. A parent should try to be a companion to a child. Justify.
Answer. A parent should always be a companion to a chid. Ebrights mother was not only his moral support but also his learning partner. She encouraged Ebright to study new aspects of science and for that, she bought him many books.

Question. Do you think we always need sophisticated instruments for all science experiments? Why/ Why not? 
Answer. No, one does not always require sophisticated instruments for all experiments in science. Some experiments require a deep study and understanding of the details of the subject.

Question. Suggest two ways by which you feel scientific temperament can be developed in a child.
Answer. There are certain ways in which scientific temperament can be developed in a child. It can be developed by making a child read books about interesting scientific discoveries and encouraging her/him to Learn about science through experiments.

Question. The will to winp for the right reasons, was a quality that Richard had. Do you think this quality alone can help us accomplish great feats? Why/ Why not?
Answer. The will to win for the right reason can alone help us accomplish great feats. Determination, perseverance and the urge to learn something new even after failing at it make us achieve the aim finally.

Question. Do you think Richard’s mother was too indulgent when she bought him things like cameras, telescopes, microscopes? Give two reasons to support your answer.
Answer. No, I think that Richard’s mother wasn’t too indulgent. She supported and encouraged Richard in everything that he didl She helped him with all his experiments by buying him the things that he needed. She wasn’t a too indulgent mother but an encouraging one

Question. Apart from science research what else was Richard interested in?
Answer. Apart from being a scientist, Richard was also a champion debater, orator, good canoeist and an all-around outdoor-person. He was also an expert photographer, particularly of nature and scientific exhibits.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Imagine Richard wrote a letter to his mother when he was studying at Harvard University for motivating him and being a constant source of support throughout his growing up years. Write that letter of gratitude as Richard. 
You may begin like this:
Harvard University
Cambridge
Massachusetts
20 September 19XX
Mrs. Ebright
Reading
Pennsylvania
Dear Mom
It’s been Long since I’ve written to you………
Answer. Harvard University 
Cambridge
Massachusetts
20 September 1981
Mrs. Ebright
Reading
Pennsylvania
Dear Mom
It’s been Long since I’ve written to you. I miss you a tot here. You have always been my pillar of strength and morale. I couldn’t imagine being a scientist without your unconditional support ll remember when dad passed away I was in third grade, my world; was shattered as he was my biggest support and my best friend. But the way you managed me with your Lave and support, I can never be enough thankful far that You became my best friend, my teacher and my guardian angel I will always be grateful to you. You have developed the enthusiasm of learning about butterflies in me since childhood. Today I am who I am only because of your hard work and guidance.
I love you so much
Lave.
Richie.

Question. Ebright had nothing really to do in his hometown Reading when he was young. His mother kept him busy with new books and equipment.
Imagine yourself as the writer of the story “The Making of a Scientist” and write an imaginary conversation between Ebright and his mother when Ebright gets bored.
Answer. Ebright Mom have nothing to do. This town is devoid of interesting things!
Ebright’s mother: Why Richie? Don’t you have to collect colourfuL butterflies and rock fossils tomorrow? Also, I will buy you some new books on butterflies by Dr. Urquhart. I have heard they ore extremely good.
Ebright: Oh great! I can also click pictures of the natural objects. I need a telescope for gazing stars at night. Can you buy me one mom?
Ebright’s mother: Sure Richie. You also need to finish up your school project at the earliest I will help you with that Your friends might come over the weekend to stay with you.
Ebright: Thanks mom!

Question. Read the following quote. “Mother is the first teacher of a child.” 
Justify the quote given above in the light of contribution of Richard Ebright’s mother in ‘making him ’a scientist.
Answer. yes Richard ebright mother was was a really big role model for Richard ebright as she supported him in every type of ways for studying and for pursuing his dream and passion so this line also states that mother is the first teacher of a child and it’s true for Richard ebright. 

Question. “Richard was competitive/ Mr. Weiherer continued, “but not in a bad sense.” He explained, Richard wasn’t interested In winning for winning’s sake or winning to get a prize. Rather, he was winning because he wanted to do the best job he could. For the right reasons, he wants to be the best Richard Eb right’s journey to become a scientist shows that Mr. Weiherer was right about him. Explain with the help of examples from the text.
Answer. Mr. Weiherer was right about Richard Ebright when he said that Ebright “wants to win for the right reasons, he wonts to be the best” In the story; The Making of a Scientist”, Ebright lost in the first county science fair that he participated in. However, after Losing the prize, Ebright became determined to win it at all costs the next time. He wanted to win because he wanted to be the best of all He wanted to prove his theory right. He was competitive in the right way. When he lost at the county fair. he didn’t get disheartened or angry. Rather, he learned that to win the prize, a real experiment is required and not just a neat display. He took advantage of his learning and the next time, he came first He participated in several fairs and won severaL prizes to prove himself and his theories right.

Question. Which book proved to be a turning point in Ebright’s life?
Answer. One day, Ebright’s mother gave him a book. That book was ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. It described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. At the end of the book readers were invited to help study butterfly migrations. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr Frederick of Toronto University, Canada. Anyone who found a tagged butterfly was asked to send the tag to Dr Frederick. Ebright started tagging monarch, butterflies. The butterfly collecting season lasts only six weeks in late summer. He realized that chasing the butterflies one by one won’t enable him to catch many. So he decided to raise a flock of butterflies.

Question. Albert Einstein said. The important thing is to never stop questioning.’ Richard was a genius who proved this quote true. Justify. 
Answer. Richard Ebright was a brilliant student He had an urge to discover something new always Albert Einstein’s quote ‘The important thing is to never stop questioning’ suits Ebright perfectly. Since childhood, Ebright was a curious child He used to read a lot of books and research on several theories. When he Lost in his first entry at the county science fair, he didn’t stop trying. He learned that to win, he had to do a reaL experiment and not just a display. Then he asked Dr. Urquhart about the ideas to work on Insects to win the fair. Anally, he won the first prize in his second attempt Later, he worked on Monarch pupa’s gold spots and how cells read their DIMA. He never satisfied himself after ccomplishing his task Nor did he stop trying after failing at his attempt He was determinant student who kept trying.

The Making of a Scientist — Robert W. Peterson

Reference to Context

From the first he had a driving curiosity along with a bright mind. He also had a mother who encouraged his interest in learning.

Question. Choose the answer that lists the correct statements about Ebright.
(1) Ebright had a driving curiosity Ebright had a dull mind His mother discouraged him.
(2) Ebright had a driving curiosity Ebright had a bright mind His mother encouraged him.
(3) Ebright had a driving curiosity Ebright had a lazy mind His mother encouraged him.
(4) Ebright did not have a driving curiosity Ebright had a bright mind His mother encouraged him.
(a) option 1
(b) option 2
(c) option 3
(d) option 4
Answer: (b)

Question. Which of the following qualities did he possess?
(a) lazy mind
(b) bright mind
(c) foolish mind
(d) anxious mind
Answer: (b)

Question. How did his mother encourage his interest in learning?
(a) by getting scientific instruments
(b) by getting movie tickets
(c) by taking him to parks
(d) by giving him practical tasks
Answer: (a)

Question. In which of the following was he most interested in?
(a) animals
(b) birds
(c) butterflies
(d) ants
Answer: (c)

Question. Which of the following is a synonym for the word ‘curiosity’?
1. Inquisitive
2. Ambitious
3. Indifferent
4. Instructive
(a) option 1
(b) option 2
(c) option 3
(d) option 4
Answer: (a)

Ebright’s project was to see whether, in fact, birds would eat monarchs. He found that a starling would not eat ordinary bird food. It would eat all the monarchs it could get. (Ebright said later research by other people showed that viceroys probably do copy the monarch.) This project was placed first in the zoology division and third overall in the county science fair. In his second year in high school, Richard Ebright began the research that led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. Indirectly, it also led to his new theory on the life of cells.

Question. What was the objective of the project?
(a) to test the theory that monarchs copied viceroy butterflies
(b) to test the theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarchs
(c) to know the purpose of twelve gold spots on monarch pupa
(d) None of these
Answer: (b)

Question. What was Ebright able to prove?
(a) that the spots on monarch pupa helped in the development of the butterfly
(b) that starlings avoided monarchs and went after viceroy butterflies
(c) that starlings found monarchs edible and only ate monarchs as opposed to the theory
(d) None of these
Answer: (c)

Question. In which class did he conduct this experiment?
(a) In class 6
(b) In class 7
(c) In class 8
(d) In class 9
Answer: (c)

Question. Which butterflies were not eaten by birds?
(a) Viceroy
(b) Monarch
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer: (b)

Question. Ebright was an excellent _______.
(a) debater
(b) scientist
(c) photographer
(d) All of these
Answer: (d)

She and her son spent almost every evening at the dining room table. “If he didn’t have things to do, I found work for him — not physical work, but learning things,” his mother said. “He liked it. He wanted to learn.”

Question. How did the mother help with her son’s eagerness to learn?
Answer: Richard used to be an extremely curious child with a thirst for knowledge. His mother encouraged him to learn more by taking him on excursions, buying him scientific equipment like telescopes, microscopes, and cameras.

Question. What did the son go on to discover?
Answer: Richard Ebright went on to achieve scientific brilliance especially in terms of his research on how cells work.

“Eventually I began to lose interest in tagging butterflies. It’s tedious and there’s not much feedback,” Ebright said. “In all the time I did it,” he laughed, “only two butterflies I had tagged were recaptured — and they were not more than seventy-five miles from where I lived.”

Question. What made him interested in butterflies?
Answer: Ebright grew up north of Reading, Pennsylvania where he did not have much to do except to collect things. And he collected whatever he found interesting. Butterflies too became a part of his collections. Then his mother presented him with a book—The Travels of Monarch X and his fascination for butterflies grew into an obsession.

Question. Explain how he was able to tag these butterflies?
Answer: He could not catch all the butterflies and tag them. So he caught a female monarch butterfly and bred more butterflies from her. He then tagged all these butterflies and let them out.

Ebright’s project was to see whether, in fact, birds would eat monarchs. He found that a starling would not eat ordinary bird food. It would eat all the monarchs it could get.

Question. What was the end objective of the project?
Answer: The end objective of this project was to test the established theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarch butterflies to save themselves from predatory birds.

Question. What was he able to prove?
Answer: He was able to prove his hypothesis that starlings found monarchs exclusively edible and only ate monarch butterflies as opposed to the theory.

To find the answer, Ebright and another excellent science student first had to build a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s full development.

Question. What did he win for this experiment?
Answer: Ebright won first place in a county fair and found an entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair where he won third place for Zoology.

Question. How did he use this basic experiment to answer one of “biology’s puzzles”?
Answer: The 12 golden spots helped in the development of the butterfly. Further studies made in the hormones secreted by the spots showed how cells are able to ‘read’ the blueprint of its DNA which controls heredity and determines the function and form of the cell.

Short Answers Type Questions  

Question. Why did Ebright raise a bunch of butterflies?
Answer: Ebright wanted to catch butterflies to tag them in order to follow their migration. He realised that it was easier to raise them in his basement rather than try and catch them one by one. So he would catch a female Monarch, take her eggs and help them grow into butterflies which he would tag.

Question. Why did Richard begin to lose interest in tagging butterflies?
Answer: Tagging butterflies was a tedious process with not much feedback. In all the time that he tagged butterflies, only two were reported caught and that too from near his home.

Question. Apart from science research what else was Richard interested in?
Answer: Apart from being a scientist, Richard was also a champion debater, public speaker, a good canoeist and an all-round outdoor-person. He was also an expert photographer, particularly of nature and scientific exhibits.

Question. Which book did Ebright’s mother get for him? How did it change his life.
Answer: Ebright’s mother got him a children’s book titled ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. The book described how Monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This opened the world of science to the young and enthused collector, Ebright.

Question. How did Richard Ebright’s mother help him?
Answer: Richard Ebright was curious as well as bright. His mother played a pivotal role in encouraging his interest to learn. She took him on trips. She also brought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials as well as other equipments. She pushed him to learn more and explore the environment around him.

Question. What lesson did Ebright learn when he did not win anything at a science fair?
Answer: In the seventh grade, Ebright entered a country science fair. For the fair, he entered with slides of frog tissues, which he showed under the microscope. He had simply made a neat display. At the end of the fair, he realised that unlike his display, the winners had tried to do real experiments. This was where he failed.

Question. When did Ebright start collecting things? What did he collect and do first?
Answer: Ebright started collecting things in kindergarten as he could not play football or baseball. He collected rocks, fossils and coins. He also became an eager astronomer and did star-gazing all night.

Question. What were the readers of the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ asked to do? What did Ebright do?
Answer: The readers were asked to tag butterflies. This was to be done for a research by Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada. Ebright started attaching adhesive tags to the wings of monarchs. Anyone who found a tagged butterfly was asked to send the tag to Dr. Urquhart.

Question. What made Ebright continue his advanced experiments on the monarch pupa?
Answer: Ebright’s dedication, perseverance, success and prizes encouraged him do advanced experiments on the monarch pupa. His project won third place for Zoology. He also got a chance to work during the summer at the entomology lab of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Question. Which project of Ebright enabled him to work at the army lab and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s laboratory?
Answer: In his senior year, Ebright grew cells from a monarch’s wing in a culture. He showed that the cells would divide. They would develop into normal butterfly wing scales only in one way. It was if they were fed the hormone from the gold spots. This was a huge theory, this enabled him to work at the army lab and at the U.S. Department of Agricultural Laboratory.

Question. What lesson did Ebright learn when in the seventh grade he entered a country science fair?
Answer: Ebright spent his time only tagging the butterflies but soon lost interest in the same. In seventh grade, when he entered the science country fair, he got a hint of what real science was. His entry for the science fair was a slide of frog tissues which did not win any prize. This disheartened him, but he realized that the winners of the fair had tried to do real experiments unlike him. Thereafter, he decided to do a real experiment and not lose hope.

Question. According to Mr. Wiiehrer, what make Richard Ebright a winner?
Answer: Richard A Wiiehrer spoke highly of his student’s interests. He said that bright was a real winner because he wanted to do good things which were selfless. This characteristic of working so hard without any selfish motive made Ebright a winner.

Question. How did Ebright’s mother help him to becoming a scientist?
Answer: Ebright’s mother motivated him to learn. She was his only childhood friend and a companion. She used to take him on trips, buy scientific equipments like microscopes, telescopes, cameras, etc., and help him in many ways. She introduced him to Dr. Fredrick A. Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada. She found many interesting things for him to learn.

Long Answers Type Questions 

Question. Give a brief character sketch of Ebright‘s mother.
Answer: Richard H. Ebright’s mother was an important driving force behind him who laid the foundation of his success. Ebright was her only child whom she affectionately called ‘Richie’. After her husband’s death, her son who was in third grade, was her whole life. She would encourage his interest in learning and would take him to trips, buy him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials, and other equipments. She was his only companion until he started school. After that, she would bring home his friends for him and at night be with him to do things together. She would spend almost every evening at the dining room table with her son ‘Richie’, When he did not have things to do, she would find work for him that would help him learn things. This support, guidance, care and concern of Ebright’s mother, helped the growth of a curious child into an accomplished scientist.

Question. Elaborate the line ‘Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality’.
Answer: Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality. The fact can be deduced from the different things that he was interested in and excelled at. As an academican, he collected all the 25 species of butterflies around his town and classified them. As an active student, he was a very good debater and an active member of the rotary club and Model United Nations Club. As a fit person, he was a social person who was enthusiastic about canoeing. He was also into photography as well. These points dictate that Richard Ebright was not only academically excellent but was also an active person altogether. It can thus, be concluded that he displayed a well-rounded personality.

Question. Richard Ebright had all the ingredients for the making of a scientist. Discuss.
Answer: Richard Ebright was bright and intelligent from childhood. Beginning in kindergarten, Ebright collected butterflies with the same determination that has marked all his activities. It is necessary for a scientist to be curious about the things around him, so that it may ignite a quest for further research and finding satisfactory answers to unanswered questions. He had a driving curiosity along with a bright mind. His competitive spirit led him to win many laurels at Science fairs. The three most important qualities of a scientist are a first-rate mind, curiosity and the will to win for the right reasons. A scientist has to be competitive but not in the bad way. All these qualities were there in Richard Ebright and so he was a great scientist.

Question. Who inspired Ebright further after he had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown? What did Ebright do?
Answer: Ebright had collected all the twenty-five species of butterflies in second grade. His mother got him a children’s book called ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. Which opened the world of science to Ebright. The readers were invited to help study butterfly migrations. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr. Frederick A. Urquhart of Toronto University, Canada. Ebright started tagging the butterflies. He would tag the butterflies wings and let them go. But he couldn’t catch many. He caught a female monarch and took her eggs. He raised them in his basement from eggs to adult butterflies.

Question. Which research did Ebright begin in his second year in high school? Which new theory did it lead to?
Answer: In his second year, Ebright began the research. Which led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. Indirectly, it also led to his new theory on the life of cells. Ebright tried to answer the question that asked the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa? Everyone thought the spots were just ornamental. But Dr. Urquhart didn’t believe it. Ebright and another science student built a device which showed that the spots were producing a hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly’s development. This project won Ebright first place in the country fair. It also won him an entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Question. How did Ebright get the idea for his new theory about cell life? How important was it and how will it be useful for humanity?
Answer: Ebright got the idea for his new theory about cell life during his junior year. While he was looking at X-ray photos, the idea struck him. The photos were that of the chemical structure of a hormone. He believed that the photos gave him the answer to the biological puzzle that asked how can the cell read the blueprint of its DNA. He deduced that DNA is the blueprint of life. Ebright and his roommate James R. Wong drew pictures and made plastic models of molecules. They also wrote the research paper that explained the theory. If the theory proves correct, it will be a big step towards understanding the processes of life. It might also lead to new ideas for preventing cancer and other diseases.