NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – “The Making of a Scientist” provide detailed and comprehensive answers to all the questions in the chapter. Written by Robert W. Peterson, this story is about Richard Ebright, a curious and determined young boy who became a renowned scientist. The chapter traces his journey from childhood, where his fascination with butterflies and his eagerness to learn set the foundation for his career in science. His mother’s encouragement, hard work, and determination played a key role in shaping his future.

Here Are The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

Question 1:

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

Answer:

Richard Ebright had a strong interest in collecting butterflies of various sorts. By the time he was in second grade, Ebright had collected all twenty-five butterfly species found in his hometown. That most likely marked the end of his butterfly collecting.

Then his mother gave him a children’s book called ‘The Travels of Monarch X’, which detailed how monarch butterflies travel to Central America, and this book introduced Richard to the realm of science.After reading the book, he became quite interested in following butterfly migrations. This strong enthusiasm prompted him to embark on a number of other studies and tests with Monarch butterflies. As a result, the book was a watershed moment in Richard Ebright’s life, propelling him to prominence as a scientist.

Question 2:

How did his mother help him?

Answer:

Richard’s mother constantly encouraged him to study new things. She accompanied him on infrequent travels and purchased scientific equipment for him, such as telescopes, microscopes, cameras, mounting materials, and other related equipment, in order to assist him in any way she could. If he didn’t have something to do, she devised something new for him to learn. She assisted him in several ways, both directly and indirectly. She even gave him the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’, which was a watershed moment in Richard’s life and inspired him to become a brilliant scientist.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

Read and Find Out

Question 1:

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

Answer:

Ebright’s submission for a scientific fair was slides of frog tissues, which he displayed under a microscope. He did not win any awards for his performance. He knew that in order to win such a scientific competition, he needed to perform meaningful experiments rather than just put on a tidy presentation. Following that, he began working on other projects and doing actual tests.

Question 2:

What experiments and projects does he then undertake?

Answer:

Ebright worked on several projects and tests. In his eighth-grade assignment, he attempted to identify the source of a viral sickness that kills almost all monarch caterpillars every few years. He thought that the sickness was conveyed by a beetle. For the next year’s science fair project, he began testing the viceroy butterflies to demonstrate that they imitate monarch butterflies. In addition, he researched brilliant spots on monarch pupas and identified an undiscovered insect hormone, which indirectly led to his new idea on cell life and DNA reading.

Question 3:

What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?

Answer:

According to the author, three crucial characteristics constitute a scientist: a great mind, curiosity, and the will to do the best and win for the right reasons. Richard Ebright was a bright student, a champion debater, a public speaker, a skilled canoeist, and an all-around outdoor enthusiast. He was also an accomplished photographer, specializing in nature and science exhibitions. He was a competitive individual with a keen mind who possessed all of the skills required to become a great scientist, which eventually led him to his idea on the life of cells.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

Think about it

Question 1:

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?

Answer:

Reading books on any subject is merely one element of learning. A student must focus on improving his or her observation skills and reasoning abilities. To become a genius in a certain profession, one needs have an inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn new things through real-life experiments and collaborative collaborations. Work hard and don’t be discouraged by failures. A desire to study and find a new idea necessitates a great deal of sweat and work in any given field of interest.

Question 2:

You must have read about cells and DNA in your science books. Discuss Richard Ebright’s work in 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?

Answer:

Richard Ebright’s work was focused on biochemistry and molecular biology. His hypothesis of cell life has aided the scientific community in understanding cell structure, development, and roles in many species. Indirectly, it aids in the detection of disease-causing organisms and the understanding of how they proliferate within the bodies of living creatures. Ebright’s research with insect hormones and photographs provided him with the solution to one of biology’s mysteries: how the cell could’read’ its DNA code. DNA is a material found in a cell’s nucleus that regulates heredity and transmits genetic information from generation to generation. It determines the shape and function of the cell.

If I get an opportunity to work like Richard Ebright on projects and experiments, I would like to study various life-threatening diseases. By studying the DNA, I may find useful remedies to cure chronic or fatal illnesses.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 6 – The Making of a Scientist

Talk about it

Question 1:

Children everywhere wonder about their surroundings. The questions they ask mark the start of the scientific investigation. The following are some of the questions that children in India have asked Professor Yash Pal and Dr Rahul Pal, as recounted 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.

Answer:

DNA is the blueprint for life. DNA fingerprinting is an effective forensic approach for determining paternity since a son or daughter will always have a pattern that can be traced back to both parents’ DNA. Genes can be identified from a single strand of hair or a little drop of blood. It is also commonly utilized in criminal investigations to establish the innocence or guilt of a murder suspect at the crime site.
Honeybees are highly intelligent insects who are well aware of their surroundings, position, and navigation. They use warning compounds that leave trails for other honeybees to find their honeycomb. Bees also have some form of visual memory, a direction-finding system, and a method of calculating distance, which allows them to find their own honeycombs more easily.
When the air cools below the dew point, vapor condenses to produce rain. A cloud cannot condense all of its vapor at the same time, thus it forms a vast pool of water. Most raindrops begin as microscopic ice crystals that gradually acquire moisture as they travel at lower altitudes, melting into water droplets and falling to Earth as rain.

Question 2:

You also must have wondered about certain things around you. Share these questions with your class, and try and answer them.

Answer:

Here are some of the interesting questions that can be discussed among students for discussion in class: