The Making of a Scientist Question Answers Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Making Of A Scientist

The Making of a Scientist Question Answers

Class 10

English Chapter 6

The Making Of A Scientist

Extra Questions

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS 

Click Here:  For Summary

1. Which project did Ebright submit in his eighth grade? Why did he win? 

Ans. For his eighth grade project, he tried to find the cause of a viral disease that killed all monarch caterpillars every few years. He thought it all happened because of a beetle and tried raising caterpillars in the presence of beetles but he did not get any results, but he went ahead and showed his experiments and trials and won a prize. 

 

2. "Richard was the focus of his mother's attention". Compose a thesis on this. 

Ans. Richard was three years old when he lost his father. Then he became the whole life of his mother. His mother was his only companion and took him on trips. At night they just did the things together. His mother encouraged his interest in learning. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, cameras and other equipment and helped in many other ways. It mother also bought him the book 'The Travels of Monarch X". Thus he was the focus of his mother's attention. 

 

3. What made Ebright an A grade student in school? 

Ans. Ebright was a champion debater and public speaker. He became an eager astronomer and a complete all round outdoor person. He was an expert photographer of nature and collected rocks, fossils and coins. He had won many prizes in science fairs at the county level. He proved a lot of things about viceroy, monarch and other butterflies. He had already read the blueprint of DNA. All these made him a straight A grade student in school. 

 

4. Comment on the role of Mr Weiherer in Albright's life,

Or 

Who were the important people in Albright's life? Why 

Ans. Ebright's mother who encouraged him as a child and Dr Frederick A. Urquhart who had inspired him to study about butterflies were quite important in Ebright's life. Also, Mr Weiherer, Ebright's Social Studies teacher opened Ebright's mind to new ideas and praised him for his hard work and indomitable spirit. 

 

5. Why did Ebright lose interest in tagging butterflies? 

Ans. Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies because it was a tedious work that did not provide much feedback 

 

6. Identify four values which Richard Ebright projected as a man of substance. 

Ans. Ebright was not only a good scientist but also a keen observer. He was an eager astronomer, a champion debater and a public speaker. He was an expert photographer, particularly of nature and scientific exhibits.

 

7. Which project of Ebright won first prize in the county science fair?

Ans. Ebright didn't win anything at his first science fair, thereby realizing that actual real experiments alone worked. Later, he started winning prizes. Ebright with his scientist friend first built a device that showed that the tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa were producing a hormone necessary for the butterfly's full development. This project won the first prize in the county science fair and third prize in zoology in the International science fair.

 

8. What all hobbies did Albright develop in kindergarten?

Ans. As a child, Ebright had a driving curiosity. He was interested in learning new things. He was good in studies and earned top grades in the class. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He became an eager astronomer too.

 

9. How did Richard's mother help him to become a scientist?

Or

How did Ebright's mother help in his learning?

Ans. Ebright had a driving curiosity and a bright brain — essential ingredients for becoming a scientist. His mother encouraged him to learn more. She exposed him to the world around him by taking him to trips, bought him books, telescope, microscope, cameras, mounting materials and other equipment, which helped him in his learning.

 

10. "Science shows a connection between structure and function." Show this to be so, for the spots Ebright saw on Monarch pupas.

Ans. Ebright grew cells from a monarch's wing to show that cells could divide and develop into a normal butterfly wing scales only if they were fed with the hormones from the gold spots, Later, he identified the chemical structure of the hormone and found how cells can read the blueprints of its DNA.

 

11. How can Albright's theory of cell life be a revolution in the medical field if it is proved correct?

Ans. Ebright identified the chemical structure of the gold spot hormone and found that cells can read the blueprint of its DNA. To further test his theory, he began doing experiments. If it proves correct it will be a big step towards understanding the process of life. It might lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and diseases.

 

12. 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?

Ans. Sharp brain, keen observant, analytical 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. Should have a competitive spirit but not in a bad sense.

 

13. What results are expected if Richard Ebright's theory is proved correct?

Ans. If Richard Ebright's theory proves to be correct, it will be a big step towards understanding the processes of life. It might lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and other diseases.

 

14. Why did Richard Ebright tag a flock of butterflies?

Or

Why did Richard Ebright start a project of tagging the butterflies?

Ans. Once Ebright's mother bought him a book.'The Travels of Monarch X'. At the end of the hook, the writer Dr A. Urquhart had invited the readers to help him in the study of butterfly migration by tagging them. So he started tagging the butterflies.

 

15. Describe Richard Ebright's childhood.

Or 

How did Ebright spend his time in Pennsylvania? 

Ans. Ebright grew up north of Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of his parents. His father died when he was in third grade. As a child, he was good in studies and also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He was a complete all round outdoor person and collected rocks, fossils and coins. 

 

16. How did the book become a turning point in Richard Ebright's life? 

Ans. Once his mother bought him the book. 'The Travels of Monarch X'. At the end of the book, Dr A. Urquhart had invited readers to help him study the migration of monarch butterflies by tagging them. This became a turning point in his life. 

 

17. Mention any two of Ebright's contributions to the world of science. 

Ans. He carried experiments to prove successfully that hormone produced by the gold spots of a pupa is responsible for the growth and formation of butterfly-wings. He also discovered how a cell could read the blueprint of its DNA that controls heredity. 

 

18. To which field of science has Richard H. Ebright contributed? 

Ans. Richard H. Ebright is one of the leading scientists. He had been interested in science since his boyhood. He has contributed significantly to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 

 

19. What were the hobbies of Ebright in his childhood? 

Ans. Ebright's hobby was collecting things. Ebright was fascinated by butterflies. He started collecting butterflies in kindergarten. He also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He also became a star-gazer and an eager astronomer. 

 

20. How did Ebright's mother help him in his hunger for learning?

Or

Comment on the role played by Richard's mother in his success.

Or

How did Ebright's mother help him in becoming a scientist? 

Ans. Richard's mother was a vigilant parent who keenly observed her child, identified his interests and inclinations and channelized his energies in the right direction. She very deftly kept him occupied with learning activities which was a constructive use of the leisure time. She bought him books to kindle his curiosity and thus provided the impetus towards scientific interests. She thereby played a significant role in 'the Making of a Scientist'. Ebright's mother would find work for Richie if he had nothing to do. She found learning tasks for him. She took him on trips, bought him telescope, microscope, cameras and other equipment. He had a great hunger for learning. He earned top grades in school. By the time he was in second grade, he had collected 25 species of butterflies. She encouraged him to learn and gave him the book, The travels of Monarch X. It described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. This book stimulated his interest in butterflies. 

 

21. Which book did Ebright's mother give him? How did this book change his life? 

Ans. One day Ebright's mother gave him a children's book. That book was 'The Travels of Monarch X'. It described how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. This book stimulated his interest in butterflies. He devoted his time to the study of butterflies and won many prizes. In this way, this book changed his life.

 

22. What did Ebright realize when he started tagging butterflies? 

Ans. Ebright started tagging monarch butterflies. 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. 

 

23. How did Ebright raise a flock of butterflies? 

Ans. Ebright would catch a female monarch and take her eggs. He would raise them in his basement, from egg to caterpillar, to pupa to adult butterfly. Then he would tag the butterflies. 

 

24. Why did Ebright begin to lose interest in tagging butterflies? 

Ans. Ebright began to lose interest in tagging butterflies. The reason was that there was no feedback. He was a little disappointed as only two butterflies had been recaptured. And they had been found not more than seventy-five miles from where he lived. 

 

25. What happened with Ebright when he entered a county science fair for the first time? 

Ans. He entered a county science fair for the first time. His entries were slides of frog tissues. But he did not win any prize. 

 

26. What did Ebright realize when he did not win any prize in the county science fair? 

Ans. He realised that the winners had tried to do real experiments. So he decided to do further research in his favourite field, that is, insects on which he had already been doing work. 

 

27. What happened when Ebright wrote to Dr Urquhart for ideas? 

Ans. Ebright wrote to Dr Urquhart for ideas. In reply, the famous scientist gave him many suggestions for experiments. These experiments kept Ebright busy all through high school. He also won many prizes in the county and international science fairs. 

 

28. Why do the viceroy butterflies imitate the monarch butterflies? 

Ans. In one of his science fair projects, he tested the theory that viceroy butterflies imitate monarchs. He reached the conclusion that viceroys look like monarchs because birds do not find monarchs tasty. They like to eat viceroy butterflies. By copying monarchs, the viceroys escape being eaten by birds. 

 

29. Which simple question led to the discovery of an unknown insect hormone? 

Ans. In his second year in high school, Ebright's research led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. Indirectly, it led to his new theory on the life of cells. He tried to answer a very simple question: "What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa?' 

 

30. What did Ebright discover about the spots on a monarch butterfly's pupa? 

Ans. Ebright tried to find out that what was the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch butterfly's pupa. To find the answer Ebright and another student built a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly's full development. 

 

31. What idea did Ebright get when he was looking at the X-ray photos of cells? 

Ans. One day, Ebright was seeing the X-ray photos of the chemical structure of cells. He got the idea for his new theory about cell life. Those photos provided him with the answer to one of biology's puzzles: how the cell can 'read' the blueprint of its DNA. 

 

32. 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.

 

33. "... There was one thing I could do -collect things." What did Richard Ebright do in his childhood? 

Ans. Richard Ebright was an only child. "There wasn't much could to 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. 

 

34. "Richie was my whole life after his father died ...," said Richard's mother. Describe Richard Ebright's relationship with his mother. 

Ans. Richard was in third grade when his father died. He was his mother's whole life and her only companion until he started school. She and Richard spent almost every evening at the dining table. She found work for him and Richard wanted to learn. His mother encouraged his interest in learning. 

 

35. How did Richard Ebright's mother be 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 equipment. She found work for him and helped him in learning things and in many other ways. 

 

36. 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. 

 

37. 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 to help study monarch butterflies' migration. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr Urquhart. Soon, Richard Ebright was attaching light adhesive tags to the wings of monarch butterflies. He used to send them to Dr Urquhart for his research work. 

 

38. How did Ebright's basement become 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 butterfly's wings and let them go. So, his basement became home to thousands of monarch butterflies. 

 

39. When and how did Richard Ebright get a hint of what real science is?

Or 

What lesson did Richard Ebright learn when he didn't win anything at the County Science

Fair? 

Ans. Richard Ebright was in the seventh grade when he got a hint of 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 the winners had tried to do real experiments. On the other hand, he failed because he simply made a neat display. Everybody else had won something. But he returned empty-handed. It was really a sad experience for him. But his loss taught him an important lesson in life. He realised that to be a winner he would have to do real experiments. His project of merely showing slides of frog tissues under a microscope didn't click. He should have done real experiments and that is what real science is all about. 

 

40. Who was Dr Frederick A Urquhart? Why did Richard Ebright look to him for fresh ideas? 

Ans. Dr Frederick A Urquhart was a scientist and teacher at the University of Toronto, Canada. He was doing research on butterfly migrations. Ebright sent him many tagged butterflies for his research work. Richard Ebright looked to him for fresh ideas and suggestions. Dr Urquhart sent many suggestions for experiments which helped Richard Ebright in winning many prizes in County and International Science Fairs. 

 

41. 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. 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. 

 

42. 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. 

 

43. 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 farther. 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 in zoology at the International Fair. 

 

44. 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. 

 

45. How did Richard Ebright give an answer to one of the biology's puzzles—how the cell can read the blueprint of its DNA? 

Ans. When Richard Ebright saw X-ray photos of the chemical structure of a hormone, he didn't cry, "Eureka!" He didn't even say, "I've got it!" He was sure that the photos gave him the answer to one of biology's puzzles. He had found out how the cell could read the blueprint of its DNA. DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell that controls heredity. It is the blueprint for life.

 

46. 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. He was an eager astronomer. 

 

47. Why did Richard Ebright admire his teacher Richard A Weiherer?

Or 

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. 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. Richard A. Weiherer described Ebright a man of varied interests. Ebright put in 3 to 4 hours at night doing debate research. Besides, he was doing all his research with butterflies and his other interests. Ebright was competitive and wanted to be the best. 

 

48. Did Richard Ebright have all the ingredients that are necessary for 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 for 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 least, he was competitive and wanted to be the best. He had the will to win for the right reasons. 

 

49. What rare achievement did Richard manage at the age of twenty-two? 

Ans. Richard had a rare honour at the age of twenty-two. He wrote an article with his friend about a theory of how cells work. The article was published in the scientific journal 'Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.' No one had this achievement at such a young age before him. 

 

50. Richard became a collector at an early age. How? 

Ans. Richard was the only child of his parents. He had no company at home to play with. So, he started collecting things in his spare time. He would collect coins, fossils, rocks and butterflies as a hobby. 

 

51. Which project did Richard undertake in the eighth grade? 

Ans. Richard undertook the project to find the cause of a viral fever that had killed thousands of butterflies. He thought that a beetle might carry the virus although he was not able to prove it. 

 

52. Richard's project on the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa was highly valuable in two ways. List the two ways. 

Ans. This project had a huge impact. First, he discovered a hormone that was necessary for the growth of the pupa. Secondly, he got a chance to work at a famous laboratory.

 

53. Mention any two of Ebright's contributions to the world of science. 

Ans. Ebright discovered a hormone that was necessary for the growth of a butterfly. His other important contribution proved to be his study of how cells read their DNA. 

 

54. Mr. Weiherer pays a glowing tribute to Richard. What did he say? 

Ans. Mr. Weiherer was Ebright's social studies teacher. He praised him for his brilliant mind, his curiosity and a will to win for the right reason. He also admired Richard for his spirit to do his very best all the time. 

 

55. Hobbies play a very important role in one's life; elaborate this with reference to ". 

Ans. 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. 

 

56. Why did Richard Ebright raise a flock of butterflies? 

Ans. Richard Ebright as a child had developed a keen interest for collecting things like rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. By the time he reached his second grade, he had collected all the twenty-five species of butterflies found in Pennsylvania. When his mother bought him the book, 'The Travel of Monarch V', it rekindled his curiosity in the insects. He also started tagging the Monarch's at the behest of the author Dr. Fredrick A. Urquhart. Later he researched the significance of the hormone in the yellow spots of its pupa which won him great recognition in the world of science. 

 

57. "But there was one thing I could do-collect things." What collection did Ebright make? When did he start making the collection? 

Ans. When young, Ebright felt he could neither play football nor baseball but there was one thing which he could do and that was collecting things. And then he started collecting things. He had a wonderful assortment of monarch butterflies, fossils, rocks and coins. 

 

58. Who was Richard A. Weiherer? How did he help Richard Ebright? 

Ans. Richard A. Weiherer was Richard Ebright's social studies teacher and adviser to the debating and Model United Nations Club. He helped Ebright a lot because he opened his mind to new ideas. 

 

59. What were the factors which contributed in making Ebright a scientist? 

Ans. Richard Ebright had some innate character traits that are the pre-requisites for the making of a scientist. He had, besides an intelligent mind, the curiosity to seek information, keen observing powers, perseverance, patience as well as self-discipline, which are the basic requirements for any scientific research. And the credit also goes to his mother for recognizing his inclinations and curiosity. She not only encouraged and supported him, but also provided the required stimulus through books and other materials.

 

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. 'Success is failure turned inside out'. Prove the above statement with instances from the

journey taken by Richard Albright from losing at the science fair to winning at the international fair.

OR 

How did Ebright's not winning anything at the Science fair motivate him to become a bright scientist?

OR 

How did Ebright's not winning anything at the Science Fair motivate him to become a bright scientist?

OR

'Failure is the stepping stone to success.' Elucidate with reference to Richard Ebright. 

Ans. Success is the fruit of failure. It never comes straight but through failure. This can be seen in the life of Richard Albright. Although he earned top grades in school, on everyday things he was just like every other kid. He faced many failures in his life but every failure strengthened his will to succeed. When he was in seventh grade he participated in County Science Fair with his slides of frog tissues shown under a microscope.. But he could not win a prize. , He felt really sad when he just sat there and others won 'many prizes. That was the time of motivation. A sense of real Science entered him and he realised that winners had to try to do real experiments and not just a simple neat display. The competitive spirit started entering him and he thought of conducting experiments. This made him determined to win the prize and in his eighth grade, he again participated in the science fair with the experiment of viral disease in monarch caterpillars and won the prize. The very next year he participated with his experiment of whether viceroy butterflies copy the monarch butterflies in order to save their life from the birds and this project won Albright, third prize in overall county science fair. Next year he found out an unknown insect hormone which led him to his new theory on the life of cells. His experiment regarding gold spots of monarch butterflies which showed that the spots produced hormones necessary for the full development of butterflies won third prize in international science and engineering fair. Next year his advanced experiments on the monarch pupa won him first place at the international science fair. Thus, for Richard Ebright, we can say that success is failure turned inside out. Not winning anything at the science fair encouraged him greatly to conduct experiments. From Ebright's story, it is sufficiently clear that defeat is the stepping stone of success. 

 

2. How does Richard Ebright become a scientist? 

Ans. Richard Ebright had been a curious child even when he was in kindergarten. His curiosity prompted him to collect rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. His mother's encouragement and his bright mind also contributed to making him a success. His mother got him all that he needed to develop his scientific bent of mind. His response to Dr Fredrick A. Urquhart to collect butterflies for his research gave him an opportunity in his endeavours. Then in the seventh grade, he got a hint of what real science is when he entered a country science fair and lost. He realized that winners had tried to do real experiments, not simply make a neat display. Thereafter, Ebright worked sincerely on every science project he got every year in school. Then he stood first in a county fair that gave him entry into international science and engineering fair where he won third place. He then went on to win the highest honours and graduated from Harvard. His high school research into the purpose of the spots on a monarch pupa eventually led him to his theory about cell life. Thus he

became a renowned scientist. 

 

3. "Richard Ebright was a successful scientist who gave a new theory of cells to the scientific world." Elucidate. 

Ans. Ebright tried experiments on butterflies for a science fair. In his project, in the second year of high school, he tried to explain the purpose of twelve tiny gold spots on a Monarch pupa. He found out that those spots produced a hormone necessary for the full development of a butterfly. He continued with his experiments even after graduation using sophisticated instruments of the university. He discovered the chemical structure of the hormone. He came across his new theory of cell life. It gave an answer to one of the questions — "How a cell can read the blueprint of DNA."

 

4. Ebright's backbone was his mother. How did she contribute to his learning? What kind of work did she find for him even at the dining table? What values did Ebright imbibe from his mother?

OR

Discuss the role of Ebright's mother in making him a scientist. 

Ans. 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. Every evening mother and son worked together at the dining table. If Ebright had nothing to do, she would find him work — learning work. He was a keen learner, liked learning and got 'A' grade throughout his schooling. She also bought him a book, 'The Travels of Monarch X', which opened the world of science to him. Ebright's mother helped him to become a scientist by sustaining

his interest in the scientific field. 

 

5. How did Ebright's mother encourage him to become a scientist? 

Ans. Ebright's mother recognized his curiosity and encouraged him. She took him on trips. She also bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras and other equipment so that he could follow his hobbies. Ebright's mother was his friend until he started going to school. She would bring home friends to him. Ebright's mother would find work for him if he had nothing to do. She found learning tasks for him. He had a great hunger for learning. He earned top grades in school. By the time he was in second grade, he had collected 25 species of butterflies. One day his mother other gave him a children's book. It opened the world of science to Ebright. 

 

6. Which book proved to be a turning point in Ebright's life? 

Ans. One day, Ebright's mother gave him a book. That book was 'The Travels of Monarch X'. It described readers were monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book fascinated him. At the end of the book, Dr Urquhart invited readers to help study butterfly migrations. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr Frederick Urquhart 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 around Reading 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. 

 

7. What experiments did Ebright do about monarch butterflies? 

Ans. Ebright wrote to Dr Frederick for ideas. In reply, the famous scientist gave him many suggestions for experiments. These experiments kept Ebright busy all through high school. He also won many prizes in the county and international science fairs. Ebright tried to find the cause of a viral disease that killed all monarch caterpillars. He thought the disease might be carried by a beetle. He tried raising caterpillars in the presence of beetles. But he didn't get any real results. But he showed his experiment in the science fair and won. The next year his science fair project was testing the theory that viceroy butterflies imitate monarchs. By copying monarchs, the viceroys escape being eaten by birds. This project was placed first in the zoology division and third overall in the

county science fair. 

 

8. How did Ebright discover an unknown insect hormone? 

Ans. In his second year in high school, Ebright's research led to his discovery of an unknown insect hormone. Indirectly, it led to his new theory on the life of cells. He tried to answer a very simple question. What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa? To prove Ebright and one other student built a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly's full development. This project won Ebright first place in the county fair and entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair. There he won third place for zoology.

 

9. How did Ebright get the idea for his new theory about cell life? How can this theory be

beneficial? 

Ans. One day, Ebright was seeing the X-ray photos of the chemical structure of cells. He got the idea for his new theory about cell life. Those photos provided him with the answer to one of biology's puzzles: how the cell can 'read' the blueprint of its DNA. DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell that controls heredity. It is the blueprint for life. Ebright and his college room-mate James R. Wong drew pictures and constructed plastic models of molecules to show how it could happen. At the Harvard Medical School, Ebright began experimenting to test his theory. If the theory proves correct, it will be a big step towards understanding life processes. It might also lead to new ideas for preventing some types of cancer and other diseases. 

 

10. 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 the 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. 

 

11. 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 other 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 Urquhart 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 the county and International Science Fairs. 

 

12. How did The Travels of Monarch X open the world of science to Richard Ebright? Elaborate. 

Ans. It is absolutely true that the book called The Travels of Monarch X changed the very course of Ebright's life. That book told how monarch butterflies migrated to Central America. Richard Ebright was a passionate and eager collector. By the time he was in the second grade, he had collected all twenty-five species of butterflies found around his hometown. Had he not got The Travels of Monarch X, Richard Ebright's butterfly collecting would have ended. The book was a children's book and was gifted to him by his mother. At the end of the book, readers were invited to help study butterfly migrations. They were asked to tag butterflies for research to Dr Urquhart. Soon, Ebright started sending tagged butterflies to Dr Urquhart of the University of Toronto, Canada. Then, Ebright started raising a flock of butterflies in his basement. For several years his basement was home to thousands of monarch butterflies in different stages of development. Dr Urquhart had a dominating influence on Richard Ebright's life. He made him do elaborate experiments on monarch butterflies. Ebright succeeded in proving that viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies to avoid being eaten by birds. He also showed how DNA controls heredity and is the blueprint for life. 

 

13. Describe the contribution of his mother in Richard Ebright's life. What role did she play in making Ebright a scientist?

OR

Richard's mother had a great influence on him. Discuss.

OR

Discuss the role of Ebright's mother in making him 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 equipment. 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. 

 

14. 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 a number of suggestions for experiments. Continuous research and experimentations won him great honours and prizes locally as well as internationally. 

 

15. What other interests, besides science did Richard Ebright pursue? Why did Ebright respect and praise his Social Studies teacher so much? 

Ans. No doubt, first and foremost, Richard Ebright was a scientist. He was interested in science; he first began to collect butterflies. But this scientist found time for other interests too. He was a man of many parts — a multifaceted genius. Not only did he collect butterflies but also took a deep interest in other activities. He collected rocks, fossils, and coins. He became an eager astronomer. He would indulge in star-gazing sometimes all night. Ebright also became a champion debater and public speaker. In this field, his Social Studies teacher turned Ebright's tremendous energy towards the Debating and Model United Nations Clubs. He was a good canoeist and all-around outdoors person. He was also an expert photographer. He excelled in nature and scientific exhibits. In brief, besides being a remarkable scientist, Richard Ebright enjoyed all pleasures, adventures, hobbies and entertainments that a happy and civilised living provided to him. 

 

16. Ebright's study of monarch pupas had a far reaching impact. Elaborate. 

Ans. For a long time the scientific community had regarded the bright spots on a monarch pupa as purely ornamental. But Dr Urquhart did not believe it, nor did Richard. He started his experiments on the monarch pupa. He built a device with the help of a friend. This led to the discovery of a hormone. Richard proved that the hormone was necessary for the growth of the butterfly. This discovery got him many honours. Also, it led to another important study. He began working on how cells read their DNA. DNA is the carrier of heredity and is called the blueprint of life. His theory could find answers to many cancers and diseases. 

 

17. Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality. Do you agree? Elucidate in the context of the given text. 

Ans. Richard's genius was obvious by the time he was in his second grade. He managed to collect all twenty-five . species of butterflies around his hometown and classify them. He also loved to collect coins, fossils and rocks. Science was not his only passion. He was an active member of his school's oratory club and model United Nations club and was an effective debater and a public speaker. He loved photography as well. He was an enthusiastic canoeist and an all-around outdoors person. Learning was easy for him. So he found it simple to devote time and energy to many other interests. He became a champion in whatever he did. He believed in the spirit of competition to win. But, he did not wish to defeat others just to win. He wanted to win to do his best. Thus, he displayed a well-rounded personality. 

 

18. Dr Urquhart contributed significantly to Ebright's growth as a scientist. Explain 

Ans. Richard had become bored with collecting butterflies. His mother got him a book on the migration of butterflies. Richard came in contact with Dr Urquhart through the book. Dr Urquhart directed him to study the migration pattern of butterflies. When he did not win any prize in the science fair in seventh grade, he again wrote to Dr Urquhart to guide him. The scientist gave him many suggestions for new experiments. Richard performed these experiments throughout his high school and won many prizes. Later, he worked on why bright spots are found on a monarch pupa, motivated by Dr Urquhart. It led to the discovery of a new hormone. The discovery of this new hormone further led to an important theory. The theory was about how cells read their DNA. In this way Dr Urquhart proved to be his true mentor. 

 

19. What are the values required to become a successful scientist like Richard Ebright? Elaborate with reference to the lesson 'The Making of a Scientist'. 

Ans. Curiosity to know more and a motivation to find reasons for existence of anything or any phenomena are necessary for becoming a successful scientist. The urge to know more develops the scientific aptitude in a person. At a very young age, Ebright became competitive by participating in various county fairs. He never lost hope and kept on trying to do better. In addition to curiosity and motivation, Ebright displayed the qualities of hard work, sincerity, determination and patience. He also accepted failure and success in the right spirit. Thus, he became a successful scientist. 

 

20. "Richard Ebright was a successful scientist who gave a new theory of cells to tjie scientific world". Elucidate. 

Ans. Richard Ebright conducted an experiment on a flock of butterflies and raised the eggs of female monarchs. In addition to this, he also studied the cause of a viral disease that killed all Monarch caterpillars. He also tried to find out similarities between viceroy butterflies and monarch. The study of insect hormones helped him in giving a new theory on the life of cells. Eventually, he was able to find the hormone behind the full development of a butterfly wings. All these experiments led him to conclude that cells grew from a monarch's wings. He found that cells would divide and grow into a normal butterfly if they were fed a hormone that was found in the gold spots of the monarch. Hence, he proved a new theory which formed the blue print of DNA. The experiments conducted by Ebright amply show him to be a successful scientist. 

 

21. 'Richard Ebright was a curious child, observing the phenomena around him keenly and these traits contributed to his evolution into a scientist/ Do you think such qualities should be encouraged in children? 

Ans. Richard was an exceptional child with rare qualities of intelligent observation and keen interest in the nature of things. The traits of his successful career were nurtured and honed during his childhood itself. These qualities are definitely desirable in every child and the curiosity should never be curbed or discouraged. Providing logical answers to the queries goes a long way to develop a scientific way of thinking and problem solving. Children learn to analyse the things and come to logical conclusions and this is indeed the correct learning procedure.

Click Here:  For Summary