The Making of a Scientist

The Making of a Scientist is the inspiring life story of Richard H. Ebright, a young boy who became a successful scientist because of his curiosity, hard work, and his mother’s constant support. As a child, he loved collecting things—especially butterflies. A book named The Travels of Monarch X changed his life. It encouraged him to study butterfly migration and do real scientific experiments. Though he lost his first science fair, he learned that real science requires experiments, not just displays. Later, his projects won many awards, and he even discovered a new hormone and proposed an important theory about how cells read DNA. Besides science, he was also a good debater and photographer. His qualities—curiosity, determination, and the desire to do his best—made him a true scientist.

⭐ 2.  (हिन्दी में सारांश)

द मेकिंग ऑफ़ अ साइंटिस्ट वैज्ञानिक रिचर्ड एच. एब्राइट की प्रेरणादायक कहानी है। बचपन से ही उनमें जिज्ञासा बहुत थी और उन्हें चीज़ें इकट्ठा करना पसंद था, खासकर तितलियाँ। उनकी माँ ने हमेशा उनके ज्ञान को बढ़ाने में मदद की। एक किताब The Travels of Monarch X ने उनके जीवन की दिशा बदल दी और उन्हें वैज्ञानिक प्रयोग करने के लिए प्रेरित किया। पहला साइंस फेयर हारने पर उन्होंने समझा कि असली विज्ञान केवल मॉडल नहीं, बल्कि प्रयोगों पर आधारित होता है। धीरे-धीरे उन्होंने कई महत्वपूर्ण प्रयोग किए, एक नया हार्मोन खोजा और कोशिकाओं के डीएनए पढ़ने के तरीके पर एक सिद्धांत दिया। विज्ञान के अलावा वे अच्छे वाद-विवादकर्ता और फोटोग्राफ़र भी थे। जिज्ञासा, मेहनत और सर्वश्रेष्ठ करने की इच्छा ने उन्हें एक महान वैज्ञानिक बनाया।

⭐ 3. Word Meanings

⭐ 4. Textbook Questions & Answers

Q1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?

Ans. The book The Travels of Monarch X became a turning point because it introduced him to real scientific research on butterfly migration. It encouraged him to tag butterflies and later helped him start proper experiments.

Q2. How did his mother help him?

Ans. His mother supported him by buying tools like microscopes, telescopes, cameras and bringing books. She spent evenings with him, encouraged learning, and motivated him to do experiments.

Q3. What lesson did Ebright learn when he lost the science fair?

Ans. He learned that real science is not about making a neat display but about doing actual experiments.

Q4. What were his later science projects?

Ans. His projects included:

• Finding the cause of a caterpillar disease
• Studying viceroy–monarch similarity
• Discovering a new insect hormone
• Research on gold spots of monarch pupa
• Developing a theory on how cells read DNA

Q5. What qualities make a scientist according to the chapter?

Ans. Curiosity, hard work, the ability to ask questions, scientific thinking, and the desire to do the best for the right reasons.

⭐ 5. Extra Important CBSE Questions 

A. Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)

Q1. Describe the role of Ebright’s mother in his success.

Ans.
Ebright’s mother played the most important role in shaping him into a scientist. She encouraged his curiosity from childhood. She bought him scientific equipment such as microscopes, telescopes, mounting materials, and books. She spent evenings teaching him new things and made learning enjoyable. She wrote letters to scientists for him, including Dr. Urquhart, which opened the door to butterfly research. She motivated him to take part in science fairs and guided him to improve each time. After his father died, she gave him emotional and educational support. Her constant encouragement made him confident and hardworking, and this support helped him grow into a brilliant scientist.

B. Medium Answer Questions (60–80 words)

Q1. Why was the book The Travels of Monarch X important for Ebright?

Ans.
The book told the story of monarch butterfly migration and invited young readers to participate in scientific research. It introduced Ebright to real scientific study and inspired him to tag butterflies. This was his first step into scientific investigation, which later led to major scientific discoveries. The book opened the world of science for him.

Q2. What made Richard Ebright a true scientist?

Ans.
Ebright had the qualities of curiosity, hard work, and determination. He always asked questions and tried to find answers through experiments. He never worked just for prizes but to do his best. His passion for learning, willingness to work long hours, and scientific thinking made him a true scientist.

C. Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

Q1. What did Ebright collect as a child?

Ans.
He collected butterflies, rocks, fossils, coins, and also became an eager astronomer.

Q2. What was his first science fair project?

Ans.
His first project was showing slides of frog tissues under a microscope.

Q3. What did he discover during high school?

Ans.
He discovered an unknown insect hormone and studied the function of gold spots on monarch pupa.

⭐ 6. Extra Very Short Questions (1–2 lines)

• Who was Dr. Urquhart?
  → A scientist from Canada who studied monarch migration.
• What bird did Ebright test for eating monarchs?
  → A starling.
• What award did Ebright win later?
  → Searle Scholar Award and Schering Plough Award.