Success in science is not only about intelligence—it is also about curiosity, observation, and the courage to learn from failure.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6, The Making of a Scientist tells the inspiring story of Richard Ebright, a curious child who grows into an award-winning scientist through consistent effort, real experimentation, and the support of his mother.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 1
How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
Q.
How did his mother help him?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 2
What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
Q.
What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Q.
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Q.
Think about it
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?
Q.
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?
Q.
Talk about it
Children everywhere wonder about the world around them.
The questions they ask are the beginning of scientific inquiry.
Given below are some questions that children in India have asked
Professor Yash Pal and Dr Rahul Pal as reported in their book,
Discovered Questions (NCERT, 2006).
(i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
(ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
(iii) Why does rain fall in drops?
Can you answer these questions? You will find Professor Yash Pal’s and Dr Rahul Pal’s answers (as given in Discovered Questions) on page 75.
Q.
You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these questions with your class, and try and answer them.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist
The chapter highlights how curiosity, a sharp mind, perseverance, and the right guidance can help a student develop scientific thinking. It also motivates students to ask questions, explore the world, and learn through experiments. This chapter is part of the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet textbook.
The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist given below are written in a simple, exam-oriented manner to help students understand the lesson clearly and prepare confidently for school exams and board examinations.
Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet
Chapter 6 Questions & Answers – The Making of a Scientist
Q1. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?
Solution: Richard Ebright had been collecting butterflies since kindergarten and had already collected all the butterfly species in his area by second grade. His mother gifted him a book called The Travels of Monarch X, which explained how monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. This book opened the world of science for him and became a turning point in his life.
Q2. How did his mother help him?
Solution: Richard’s mother supported his curiosity and encouraged his interests. She took him on trips and bought him scientific equipment like microscopes, telescopes, cameras, and mounting materials, which helped him explore and learn more.
Q3. What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?
Solution: When Ebright did not win at the county science fair, he observed that winners performed real experiments instead of just making simple displays. He learned that real science involves doing meaningful experiments and research.
Q4. What experiments and projects does he then undertake?
Solution: After learning his lesson, Ebright worked on projects such as finding the cause of a viral disease that killed monarch caterpillars. He also tested the theory that viceroy butterflies copied monarch butterflies. Later, he did research that led to the discovery of an unknown insect hormone and developed a new theory related to the life of cells.
Q5. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Solution: The qualities needed to become a scientist include a sharp mind, strong curiosity, and a strong will to achieve for the right reasons. Ebright showed these qualities through his early interest in collecting butterflies and his dedication to studying them seriously.
Q6. How can one become a scientist, an economist, a historian? Is reading enough?
Solution: Reading is important because it gives knowledge and improves reasoning. However, becoming a scientist or expert in any field requires more than reading. It involves observing, thinking deeply, and applying knowledge through experiments or practical work, just like Ebright did.
Q7. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in the light of what you have studied about cells and DNA.
Solution: Ebright worked on a project to find the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa. He proved that these spots produced hormones necessary for a butterfly’s full development. His research shows how scientific thinking and experiments help uncover truths about life processes.
Q8. Can you answer the questions asked by children (DNA fingerprinting, honeybees, rain drops)?
Solution:
- (i) What is DNA fingerprinting? What are its uses?
DNA fingerprinting is a scientific test that identifies a person based on their genetic makeup. It is used in courts as evidence, to identify bodies, to trace blood relatives, and to support disease research.
- (ii) How do honeybees identify their own honeycombs?
Honeybees use signalling chemicals and leave trails for other bees. They also communicate through dance patterns to show distance and direction, and they take help from the sun’s position to find direction.
- (iii) Why does rain fall in drops?
Water vapour condenses on dust particles to form clouds. When enough vapour collects on a particle, it becomes too heavy to float and falls as a raindrop. Since drops form individually, they fall as separate drops.
Q9. Share some questions you have wondered about and try to answer them.
Solution: Some common curiosity-based questions are:
- How do birds fly?
- Why does a fish never drown?
- Why is the sky blue?
- How do stars twinkle?
- How is a rainbow formed?
- Who pours water from the clouds?
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – FAQs
Q1. What is the central message of “The Making of a Scientist”?
Answer: The chapter teaches that curiosity, hard work, experimentation, and the right guidance can help a student grow into a successful scientist.
Q2. What role did Richard Ebright’s mother play in his success?
Answer: She encouraged his curiosity, provided resources, took him on learning trips, and supported his interests, which helped him develop scientific thinking from an early age.
Q3. How is this chapter useful for board exams?
Answer: This chapter is important for questions on biography-style lessons, theme-based answers, values, and short/long answers based on scientific thinking and motivation.