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The Making of a Scientist Summary in English by Robert W. Peterson
The Making of a Scientist by Robert W. Peterson About the Author
Author Name | Robert W. Peterson |
Born | 1925, United States |
Died | 11 February 2006, Salisbury, Pennsylvania, United States |
Nationality | American |
Education | Upsala College |
The Making of a Scientist Summary in English
‘The Making of a Scientist’ is a fascinating story of a young student who did marvellous work in the field of science. Richard Ebright, a solitary child, had a great fascination for catching butterflies in his childhood. Encouraged by his mother, he kept on enriching his treasures of rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. He was able to collect all twenty-five varieties of butterflies and thus started losing interest in collecting and tagging the butterflies.
But with the guidance of Dr. Urquhart he started doing more complex experiments on the butterflies. This enthused him to open newer vistas of science and encouraged him as he was getting awards, one after the other, for his discoveries. Then he was lucky enough to get a chance to study DNA and he gave a new theory about the form and function of cells.
His childhood interests led him to become a full-time scientist. He was an excellent debater, speaker and wonderful photographer too.
The Making of a Scientist Summary Questions and Answers
Question 1.
What opened the world of science for Richard Ebright?
Answer:
Ebright was encouraged by his mother. He kept on enriching his treasure of rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. He collected all 25 varieties. His mother bought him a book The Travels of Monarch X. It opened a new world of science to him.
Question 2.
“Without the support and motivation of his mother, Richard Ebright would not have been a successful scientist.” Do you agree? Elaborate.
Answer:
It is true that without the support and motivation of his mother, Richard Ebright would not have been a successful scientist. It was his mother who recognised his driving curiosity and bright mind.
She always encouraged his interest in learning. She organised trips for him so that he could learn more.
Question 3.
What other interests, besides science, did Richard Ebright pursue?
Answer:
Besides science, Ebright had pursued some other interests too. He was an all-rounder. He was a champion debater, a good public speaker and a good canoeist. He was an expert photographer too.
Question 4.
“Richard Ebright had all the ingredients required for the making of a scientist.” Do you agree?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that Ebright had all the ingredients required for making a scientist. For becoming a scientist, one needs to be a keen observer, thinker and hardworking person. Scientific curiosity is the most important ingredient required in the making of a scientist. Richard Ebright had all these elements in him right from the beginning.
Question 5.
Why did Richard Ebright give up tagging of butterflies?
Answer:
Ebright lost interest in tagging butterflies because it was tedious and there was not much feedback. He could capture only two butterflies.
Question 6.
Why did Viceroy butterflies copy the Monarchs?
Answer:
The viceroy butterflies taste good, whereas the monarch butterflies do not taste good. Naturally, the birds do not eat the monarch butterflies. So in order to protect themselves from the birds, they copy the monarchs and mislead the birds.
Question 7.
“But there was one thing I could do – collect things.” What collection did Ebright make? When did he start making the collection?
Answer:
Ebright did not have friends when he was in Pennsylvania. He had no one to play with. He started collecting things from his surroundings. He used to collect rocks, fossils, coins and butterflies. He started making a collection in his childhood.
Question 8.
What was Ebright’s achievement in his senior year?
Answer:
Ebright had scientific curiosity right from the beginning. In his second grade, he had collected all the twenty-five species of butterflies found in that area.
Question 9.
How did Ebright raise a flock of butterflies?
Answer:
When Ebright realized that butterflies could only be caught for six weeks in late summer, he started raising them in the basement with the help of the monarch butterflies.
Question 10.
What opened the world of science to Ebright?
Answer:
One day his mother gave him a book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. This book was about the migration of butterflies to central America. It opened the world of science to Ebright.