CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 6 The Making Of A Scientist: Important Questions with Answers, Download PDF

The Class 10 CBSE board exams is going to start soon. Students who are going to appear can use the essential study materials like important questions available here. Since the English (Language and Literature) exam is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, these important questions for the literature portion will help students revise for the baord exams thoroughly. As prepared by subject matter experts. the questions are in accordance with the format of the CBSE Class 10 exams.

Students can find the questions that range from textual extracts to long-type answers, offering students the chance to define an overview of the story. By practicing these chapter-based questions, from textual extracts to long-type answers, students will gain a better understanding of the details about the chapter, which will help prepare them well for their board exams.

Also check: CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 1, A Triumph Of Surgery

CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet: Key Highlights

CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 6, The Making Of A Scientist: Summary

"The Making of a Scientist" by Robert W. Peterson offers an interesting biographical portrayal of Richard H. Ebright, a well-known molecular biologist whose career started with a love of butterfly collection in Pennsylvania. With the support of his mother, who gave him the necessary scientific skills, and the influential book "The Travels of Monarch X," Ebright's curiosity progressed from admiration to testing the molecules. After losing in a science fair, he learned that true science involves conducting actual experiments rather than merely making attractive exhibits, which was a big turning point in his life. This realization motivated him to conduct deeper research, eventually leading him to discover the purpose of the twelve gold spots on a monarch pupa and the hormone necessary for the development.

As he transitioned from entomology to the study of cell life and ultimately discovered how a cell can "read" its DNA blueprint, Ebright's scientific career reached unprecedented heights. This discovery, which has consequences for understanding biological processes and illnesses like cancer, was the product of a "first-rate mind" coupled with a fierce curiosity and a spirit of competition motivated by the relevant factors. Beyond the laboratory, Ebright was a versatile individual, an expert debater, photographer, and outdoorsman, proving that a scientist’s success is built on a foundation of diverse interests and a continuous pursuit of excellence. His story offers students a motivational road map by proving that perseverance in the face of setbacks is the most important factor in scientific advancement.

CBSE Class 10 English The Making Of A Scientist: Important Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. Choose the statements that are TRUE for the given extract contextually.

I. Ebright didn’t get any results for the experiment he conducted on butterflies.

II. Monarchs tasted awfully to the birds.

III. Ebright wanted to explore the possibility of monarchs getting eaten by birds.

V. He wanted to prove that viceroys are lookalikes of monarchs.

A. I, II

B. II, III

C. I, III

D. II, IV

2. Why does Richard call Mr. Weiherer ‘the perfect person’?

A. Richard admired him

B. He opened Richard’s mind to new ideas.

C. He supported Richard

D. He loved Richard.

3. How long does the butterfly collecting season last?

A. twelve weeks

B. four weeks

C. six weeks

D. eight weeks

4.Start with a first-rate mind, add _________, and mix in the will to win for the right reasons. Fill in the missing word from the given choices as per the text book:

A. hard work

B. intelligence

C. curiosity

D. perseverance

Short Answer Type Questions

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

Or

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

Answer: Richard’s mother made Richard the centre of her life. She would buy microscopes, telescopes and books for him. She arranged trips for him and would also prepare difficult tasks for him. This helped him to learn a lot.

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

Answer: 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.

7. Mention any two of Ebright’s contributions to the world of science. 

Answer: 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.

8. In addition to science, what were the other interests of Richard?

Answer: A part from science, Richard was a good debater and a public speaker as well as a canoeist and an all-round a outdoors person. He loved photography as well.

9. Why did viceroy butterflies copy monarchs?

Answer: Viceroy butterflies copied monarchs because monarchs do not taste good to birds. Viceroy butterflies on the other hand taste good to birds. So, the more they look similar to monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s prey. Thus they protect themselves

10.What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?

Answer: Ebright realizes that were display of his collection does not mean science. To win at a science fair he will have to do real experiments and prove his worth.

11.Richard’s mother was his companion and spent a lot of time with him. A parent should try to be a companion to a child. Justify.

Answer. Yes, Richard’s mother was his true friend who helped him in all steps of life to become the world’s greatest scientist. It is necessary to be a friend to a child rather than be parents. As a friend, we can understand his problems better than he is facing because we have also gone through all this in our teenage years.

12. Do you think we always need sophisticated instruments for all science experiments? Why/ Why not? 

Answer. No, not really. We have seen many times that great scientists have led to great discoveries and inventions using crude and raw instruments which have brought changes all over the world. So, it is not necessary that we need sophisticated instruments to create wonders

Long Answer Type Questions

13. Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality. Do you agree? Elucidate in the context of the given text. [CBSE 2016]

Answer: 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-tounded personality.

14. Besides curiosity a number of other values are required to become a successful scientist. Explain with reference to the chapter, ‘The Making of a Scientist’.

Answer: From very young age Richard Ebright was competitive and put in extra effort with curiosity for the right reason to win. But his mother was always very dedicated and made his spirits rise high. He did not lose heart even after losing when he was in seventh grade. To him people around were very encouraging.

His mother’s encouragement was really an eye-opener. She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials and other equipment. Thus constant support of each other opened a new world. This helps us to conclude that hard work, parental guidance and keen observation are the qualities which help one to excel.

15. Richard’s mother had a great influence on him. Discuss.

Or

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

Answer: Richard’s mother played a huge role in making him a great scientist. She would take him on trips to encourage learning. He was a single child. After his father died, his mother made him the focus of her life. She would buy him all kinds of microscopes, telescopes, and other equipment. After dinner, she gave him problems to solve. This helped Richard to learn a lot. She was his only companion for a long time. It was his mother who got him the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. This book opened the world of science for Richard. She also wrote to Dr. Urquhart to guide her son. The scientist helped Richard and guided him. Thus, his mother actually shaped him into an extraordinary scientist.

CBSE Class 10 English The Making Of A Scientist: Important Questions with Answers, Download PDF

Shared here is a PDF that contains important questions from CBSE Class 10 English from the Footprints Without Feet, Chapter 6, The Making of a Scientist. Download and save it for a quick revision to this chapter. 

Recommended: CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 (REVISED)