class 10 English - Very Important & Question Anwers

Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 Marks)

Word limit: 30-40 words

Q1. What were the various things Richard Ebright collected in his childhood?

Ans: Ebright was a fascinated collector. He collected butterflies, rocks, fossils, and coins. He was also an eager astronomer and sometimes used to star-gaze all night. However, his primary interest was in butterflies.

Q2. How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright’s life?

Ans: The book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ opened the world of science to Ebright. It explained how Monarch butterflies migrate to Central America. At the end of the book, the author invited readers to help study migrations by tagging butterflies, which sparked Ebright’s lifelong interest in research.

Q3. What was the lesson Ebright learned when he did not win anything at the Science Fair?

Ans: Ebright realized that science is not just about a “neat display” of facts or slides. He learned that to win, he had to do real experiments and try to find out something that wasn’t already known.

Q4. What did Ebright find out about the gold spots on a Monarch pupa?

Ans: Most people thought the twelve gold spots were just decorative. However, Ebright and another student proved that the spots produced a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s full development.

Q5. According to the author, what are the ingredients that go into the making of a scientist?

Ans: To be a scientist, one needs a first-rate mind, plenty of curiosity, and the will to win for the right reasons. These qualities, combined with the right guidance, make a successful scientist.

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Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)

Word limit: 100-120 words

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

Ans: Ebright’s mother played a crucial role in his development as a scientist. She was his primary “companion” and “teacher.” She encouraged his interest in learning by taking him on trips and buying him telescopes, microscopes, cameras, and mounting materials. She found work for him that challenged his mind rather than his body. Crucially, she bought him the book The Travels of Monarch X, which directed his curiosity toward the scientific world. She supported him through every stage of his life, ensuring he had the resources and the environment to focus on his research. Without her constant support and motivation, he might not have become the world-renowned scientist he is today.

Q2. What were the various scientific projects and experiments Ebright undertook?

Ans: Ebright’s journey was a series of continuous experiments.

• He started by tagging butterflies to study migration.

• In high school, he researched the cause of a viral disease that kills Monarch caterpillars.

• He then worked on a theory about why Viceroy butterflies mimic Monarchs (to avoid being eaten by birds).

• His major breakthrough came when he studied the gold spots on Monarch pupae, proving they produced a growth hormone.

• This led him to his ultimate discovery: how a cell can read the blueprint of its DNA. Each project was a step toward solving one of the most complex mysteries of biology.

Q3. How did Richard Ebright’s discovery of the hormone lead to his theory about cell life?

Ans: Ebright’s discovery was a chain reaction. While studying the gold spots on the Monarch pupa, he identified a hormone. He continued this work at Harvard and the Army laboratory using advanced equipment. He was able to identify the chemical structure of the hormone. One day, while looking at X-ray photos of the chemical structure, he found the answer to a big biological puzzle: how the cell can read the blueprint of its DNA. He realized that DNA is the substance in the nucleus of a cell that controls heredity. This discovery was a massive leap forward in understanding the processes of life and how to prevent diseases like cancer.

Q4. Richard Ebright was a man of many interests. Discuss.

Ans: Ebright was not just a “science geek.” He was a well-rounded personality. Besides being a brilliant scientist, he was a champion debater, a public speaker, and a good canoeist. He was also an expert outdoor photographer, especially of nature and scientific exhibits. His social studies teacher, Richard A. Weiherer, praised him for his competitive spirit—not to be better than others, but to do his best. His ability to balance his passion for butterflies with other extra-curricular activities shows that he had a holistic approach to life, which is essential for creative thinking.

Q5. “Curiosity is the mother of invention.” Discuss this with reference to the chapter.

Ans: The life of Richard Ebright is a testament to this proverb. From a young age, Ebright had a “driving curiosity” along with a “bright mind.” He didn’t just collect butterflies; he wanted to know why they migrated and how they survived. Every discovery he made started with a simple question. For example, his curiosity about the “useless” gold spots led to a major discovery about hormones and DNA. The chapter shows that while books and teachers provide information, it is the individual’s own curiosity and the urge to find “real answers” that lead to groundbreaking inventions and theories.