CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'The Making of a Scientist,' from CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, delves into the early life and formative experiences of Richard Ebright, a brilliant scientist. The NCERT Solutions provided here guide students through Ebright's journey, highlighting how a childhood book ignited his passion for science and how his mother's unwavering support nurtured his curiosity. The solutions explain his early experiments with monarch butterflies, his learning experiences from setbacks like not winning a science fair, and the crucial scientific qualities he developed. These solutions are designed to help students understand the foundational elements that contribute to becoming a successful scientist, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation and a deeper understanding of the chapter's core themes.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Footprints Without Feet
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 6

Chapter summary

Chapter 6, 'The Making of a Scientist,' focuses on the early life of Richard Ebright and the factors that shaped him into a renowned scientist. The NCERT Solutions cover his initial fascination with butterflies, the pivotal role of a book and his mother's encouragement, and his learning process through scientific projects and even failures. It emphasizes the essential qualities like curiosity, determination, and a competitive spirit required for scientific pursuit.

Learning outcomes

Understand the early influences on Richard Ebright's scientific career.
Identify the role of a book and parental support in fostering scientific interest.
Analyze Ebright's early experiments and learning from setbacks.
Recognize the key qualities that define a scientist.
Explain the significance of curiosity and perseverance in scientific discovery.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Richard Ebright's early life
The role of books in education
Parental support in learning
Monarch butterfly migration
Scientific curiosity
Conducting scientific experiments
Learning from failure
Qualities of a scientist
Viral diseases in caterpillars
Viceroy butterflies
Hormone discovery
Cell theory

Important topics

The turning point of the book 'The Travels of Monarch X'
Mother's role in Ebright's development
Ebright's scientific projects and discoveries
Essential qualities of a scientist
Learning from setbacks in science fairs

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-32

Q.1 How did a book become a turning point in Richard Ebright's life?

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

Solution: Richard Ebright's life took a significant turn when his mother gifted him a book titled "The Travels of Monarch X." This book, which detailed the fascinating migration patterns of monarch butterflies to Central America, captivated his young, inquisitive mind. It also included an invitation for readers to help study butterfly migration. This opportunity opened up the world of scientific research for Ebright, inspiring him to catch female monarch butterflies, collect their eggs, raise them in his basement, and meticulously observe their life cycle and behaviors. This experience ignited his passion for science and set him on the path to becoming a scientist.

Q.2 How did his mother help him?

How did his mother help him?

Solution: Richard Ebright's mother played a crucial role in nurturing his scientific curiosity, especially after his father's early death. She became his closest companion, spending ample time with him and actively supporting his interests. She encouraged his desire to study and explore by providing him with essential scientific tools such as a telescope, microscope, and camera. Furthermore, she took him on trips and consistently fostered his innate spark of learning and discovery, creating a supportive environment for his intellectual growth.

Read and Find Out Pg-34

Q.1 What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair?

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

Solution: At the science fair, Ebright presented slides of frog tissues, while other participants had conducted actual experiments. Despite always being a bright student and an avid explorer, he was disheartened to find that he didn't win any prize, while others did. This experience taught him a valuable lesson: to achieve success and win recognition in scientific competitions, it is essential to perform real experiments and present original findings, rather than merely displaying information or prepared slides.

Q.2 What experiments and projects does he then undertake?

What experiments and projects does he then undertake?

Solution: Following his realization at the science fair, Ebright dedicated the next year to studying monarch butterflies, which had always fascinated him. He drew inspiration from Dr. Urquhart's work and embarked on several projects. Initially, he investigated the cause of a viral disease that decimated monarch caterpillars periodically. He attempted to raise caterpillars alongside beetles, suspected carriers of the disease, but this experiment did not yield conclusive results, though he still received recognition for his effort. Later, he explored the theory that viceroy butterflies mimic monarch butterflies to protect themselves from predators like birds. His subsequent research led to the groundbreaking discovery of an unknown hormone, which ultimately contributed to the development of the theory concerning the life of cells.

Q.3 What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?

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

Solution: The making of a scientist requires a combination of specific intellectual and personal qualities. These include a highly inquisitive mind that constantly seeks answers and understanding. A positive competitive spirit is also vital, not just for winning prizes, but for striving to be the best and pushing boundaries. An insatiable curiosity drives the desire to explore the unknown. Furthermore, a zeal for undertaking new challenges, a persistent and never-say-die attitude in the face of difficulties, and a strong will to succeed are fundamental attributes that contribute to scientific achievement.

Common mistakes

Underestimating the importance of early childhood influences on career development.
Focusing solely on winning rather than the learning process in competitions.
Not recognizing the value of persistent effort even after initial failures.
Overlooking the role of curiosity and a questioning mind in scientific inquiry.

Revision tips

Focus on the turning points in Ebright's life, like the book and his mother's support.
List the scientific qualities mentioned and think of examples from Ebright's life.
Understand the progression of his experiments, from butterflies to cell theory.
Reflect on how setbacks, like the science fair loss, contributed to his growth.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the title of the book that became a turning point in Richard Ebright's life?

Q2. How did Ebright's mother support his scientific interests?

Q3. What did Ebright learn from not winning at the science fair?

Q4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a quality of a scientist in the chapter?

Q5. Ebright's research on monarch butterflies eventually led to the discovery of:

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 6 of CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet about?

Chapter 6, 'The Making of a Scientist,' narrates the early life of Richard Ebright, highlighting the influences and qualities that shaped him into a renowned scientist.

How did a book influence Richard Ebright?

The book 'The Travels of Monarch X' sparked Ebright's deep interest in science by detailing butterfly migration and inviting readers to participate in research.

What role did Ebright's mother play in his scientific journey?

His mother was his best friend and actively supported his curiosity by providing scientific instruments, encouraging his studies, and taking him on educational trips.

What key lesson did Ebright learn from not winning a science fair?

He learned the importance of conducting real, hands-on experiments rather than just presenting information or slides to achieve success.

What are the essential qualities of a scientist as described in the chapter?

The chapter highlights an inquisitive mind, insatiable curiosity, a strong will, a positive competitive spirit, and a never-give-up attitude.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand Ebright's journey, the concepts of scientific inquiry, and the qualities needed to become a scientist, aiding in exam preparation.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.