MCQs of The Making of a Scientist | Multiple Choice Questions with Answers | Class 10 | Footprints Without Feet | Chapter 6

This page presents “The Making of a Scientist” MCQs for Class 10 from the book Footprints Without Feet. Perfect for quick Chapter review and checking your Chapter understanding. We have given answers and explanations also for better understanding. Read and enrich yourself.

MCQs of The Making of a Scientist

1. Question: What inspired Richard Ebright to start tagging butterflies?

a) A school project
b) A book called “The Travels of Monarch X”
c) His teacher’s advice
d) A TV documentary

Answer: b) A book called “The Travels of Monarch X”
Reason: The book introduced him to the idea of tagging butterflies to study their migration.

2. Question: How did Richard’s mother contribute to his interest in science?

a) By enrolling him in a sports club
b) By taking him to science fiction movies
c) By providing him with books and tools
d) By sending him to summer camps

Answer: c) By providing him with books and tools
Reason: She nurtured his scientific interests by providing educational resources like books and scientific tools.

3.Question: What lesson did Richard learn from not winning his first science fair? 

a) Presenting welldesigned displays is key
b) Real experiments are necessary
c) Networking at fairs boosts chances of winning
d) More complex topics always win

Answer: b) Real experiments are necessary
Reason: He realised that conducting actual experiments and not just displaying information was essential to succeed in science fairs.

4 Question: What quality did Dr. Urquhart see in Richard that made him decide to mentor him?

a) Richard’s curiosity
b) Richard’s meticulous recordkeeping
c) Richard’s organisational skills
d) Richard’s problemsolving approach

Answer: a) Richard’s curiosity
Reason: Dr. Urquhart was impressed by Richard’s strong curiosity and genuine interest in science, which prompted him to provide mentorship.

Also Read:

5. Question: How did Richard’s participation in debating help him in science?

a) Improved his mathematical skills
b) Enhanced his communication and critical thinking
c) Made him more competitive
d) Taught him artistic techniques

Answer: b) Enhanced his communication and critical thinking
Reason: Debating helped him develop skills valuable for presenting scientific findings.

6. Question: What was the significance of Richard discovering the insect hormone?

a) It was his first experiment
b) It had no impact
c) It showed his ability to conduct advanced research
d) It was unrelated to science

Answer: c) It showed his ability to conduct advanced research
Reason: This discovery demonstrated Richard’s capability to perform significant scientific work.

7. Question: Why is it important for students to have mentors like Dr. Urquhart?

a) Mentors can make decisions for students
b) Mentors offer guidance and inspiration
c) Mentors handle challenges on behalf of students
d) Mentors ensure students focus only on academics

Answer: b) Mentors offer guidance and inspiration
Reason: Mentors play a crucial role in shaping and directing a student’s career by providing essential support and motivating them to explore and grow.

8. Question: How did early failures contribute to Richard’s later successes?

a) Encouraged him to pursue easier projects
b) Led him to seek different interests outside science
c) Helped him learn from mistakes
d) Made him reconsider his scientific ambitions

Answer: c) Helped him learn from mistakes
Reason: Richard’s early failures taught him important lessons and resilience, helping him achieve future success.

9. Question: How might Richard’s career have been different if he had not met Dr. Urquhart?

a) He might have focused on less impactful research.
b) He might have struggled to find direction.
c) He could have shifted his focus to a different area of science.
d) He might have delayed making significant scientific contributions.

Answer:  b) He might have struggled to find direction
Reason Dr. Urquhart’s mentorship was key in providing Richard with the necessary guidance to navigate his scientific career effectively.

10. Question: Why was it important for Richard Ebright to have diverse interests as a child?

a) To complement his scientific curiosity
b) To develop a wide range of skills
c) To enhance his focus on science
d) To balance his academic and personal life

Answer: b) To develop a wide range of skills
Reason: Richard’s diverse interests helped him cultivate various skills, contributing to his success as a scientist by making him wellrounded and adaptable.

Also Read:

11. Question: What role did Mr. Weiherer play in Richard’s development?

a) He provided extra science coaching
b) He nurtured Richard’s thinking and speaking skills
c) He encouraged Richard to pursue only science
d) He recommended Richard for science competitions only

Answer: b) He nurtured Richard’s thinking and speaking skills
Reason: Mr. Weiherer encouraged Richard’s active participation in debating and Model UN, which were crucial in developing his critical thinking and communication skills.

12. Question: What message does Richard Ebright’s story convey to young students?

a) Experimentation is unnecessary in scientific pursuits
b) Curiosity, hard work, and support lead to success
c) Specialising early is the only way to succeed
d) Success is mainly about individual effort

Answer: b) Curiosity, hard work, and support lead to success
Reason: Richard’s story demonstrates that curiosity about the world, dedication to exploring questions, and support from mentors and family are critical to achieving one’s goals.

13. Question: How did Richard’s love for learning contribute to his academic success at Harvard?

a) He prioritised networking over studies
b) His passion for knowledge drove him to excel
c) He selected only highprofile projects
d) He chose courses based solely on grades

Answer: b) His passion for knowledge drove him to excel
Reason: Richard’s dedication and love for learning fueled his pursuit of excellence, leading to outstanding academic achievements at Harvard.

14. Question: If Richard Ebright had not been curious about butterflies, what might have been his primary interest? 

a) Fossil collecting
b) Historical reenactments
c) Astronomy
d) Numismatics (coin collecting)

Answer:  c) Astronomy
Reason:  Richard’s early involvement in astronomy, noted alongside his other hobbies, indicates a strong interest that could have been his main focus without butterflies.

15. Question: What might have happened if Richard’s mother hadn’t provided him with books and tools?

a) He might have pursued artistic activities
b) He might have lost interest in science
c) He would have engaged more in outdoor sports
d) He could have focused more on schoolwork

Answer: b) He might have lost interest in science
Reason: Without the necessary books and tools to fuel his curiosity and facilitate his early scientific explorations, Richard’s interest in science might not have flourished as it did.

16. Question: How would Richard’s journey have changed if he had not read “The Travels of Monarch X”?

a) He would have explored other sciences
b) He might have pursued astronomy
c) He could have focused on academics
d) He might not have started tagging butterflies

Answer: d) He might not have started tagging butterflies
Reason: “The Travels of Monarch X” directly influenced Richard to begin tagging butterflies, an initial step that significantly shaped his scientific pursuits.

17. Question: What if Richard had never faced any failures in his early experiments?

a) He would have been overconfident
b) He would have ignored science fairs
c) He would have avoided handson activities
d) He would have become a writer

Answer: a) He would have been overconfident
Reason: Early failures taught him valuable lessons and helped build resilience, which might have been missing without those experiences.

18. Question: If Richard had not discovered the insect hormone, how might his scientific reputation be different?

a) He might have focused on basic research
b) He might not have gained early recognition
c) He could have shifted to botanical studies
d) He might have delved into physics

Answer: b) He might not have gained early recognition
Reason: Discovering the insect hormone was key to Richard gaining early fame as a promising young scientist.

19. Question: Why is it important for students to have diverse interests like Richard Ebright?

a) It broadens their knowledge
b) It enhances social skills
c) It develops a range of skills and perspectives
d) It improves time management

Answer: c) It develops a range of skills and perspectives
Reason: Richard Ebright’s diverse interests, such as in butterflies, astronomy, and science, broadened his knowledge and skills, which contributed significantly to his success as a scientist.

20. Question: Why is perseverance important in achieving success, as demonstrated by Richard Ebright’s story?

a) It streamlines problemsolving
b) It accelerates career progression
c) It builds resilience and determination
d) It enhances networking skills

Answer: c) It builds resilience and determination
Reason: Richard Ebright’s commitment to his research, despite initial setbacks, shows how perseverance leads to resilience and determination, essential for success.

21. Question: What value does curiosity add to a student’s learning experience, as seen in Richard Ebright’s scientific exploration?

a) It diverts attention from prescribed studies
b) It leads to overly broad investigations
c) It drives deeper understanding and exploration
d) It shifts focus away from graded performance

Answer: c) It drives deeper understanding and exploration
Reason:  Richard Ebright’s curiosity led him to explore beyond his textbooks, deepening his understanding and leading to major scientific discoveries.

22. Question: Based on Richard Ebright’s story, why is it important for parents to support their children’s interests?

a) It minimises distractions
b) It helps children develop confidence and skills
c) It ensures better academic performance
d) It aligns children’s goals with educational standards

Answer: b) It helps children develop confidence and skills
Reason:  In Richard Ebright’s case, his mother’s support was crucial in nurturing his passion for science, which built his confidence and developed his investigative skills.

23. Question: What can students learn from Richard Ebright’s success in managing multiple interests?

a) Specialisation limits potential
b) Focusing solely on one field is efficient
c) Diverse interests foster wellrounded growth
d) Multiple interests enhance adaptability

Answer:  c) Diverse interests foster wellrounded growth
Reason: Richard Ebright succeeded by exploring many interests, which helped him grow personally and professionally.

24. Question: How do early challenges and failures benefit students later on?

a) They prompt more guidance
b) They build resilience and skills
c) They lead to more focus
d) They increase support needs

Answer: b) They build resilience and skills
Reason:  Early setbacks help students learn resilience and enhance their problemsolving skills.

25. Question: Why is creating a positive learning environment crucial for fostering curiosity and learning, as seen in Richard Ebright’s story?

a) It simplifies complex subjects
b) It focuses on rote learning
c) It encourages students to explore and ask questions
d) It decreases reliance on textbooks

Answer: c) It encourages students to explore and ask questions
Reason: A positive learning environment inspires curiosity and active engagement, helping students explore and ask questions.

26. Question: How did participating in science fairs shape Richard’s approach to scientific research?

a) It increased his focus on theory
b) It made him prioritise presentation
c) It taught him the importance of real experiments
d) It shifted his interest to engineering

Answer: c) It taught him the importance of real experiments
Reason: Richard learned from his early science fairs that success in science depends on conducting real experiments, shaping his future research approach.

27. Question: What role did failure play in Richard’s journey to becoming a successful scientist?

a) It prompted him to refine his methods
b) It taught him valuable lessons and resilience
c) It focused his interests in different fields
d) It encouraged a more collaborative approach

Answer: b) It taught him valuable lessons and resilience
Reason: Richard’s early failures helped him learn to keep trying and learn from mistakes, which was important for his success in science.

28. Question: What might Richard’s future have looked like if he had given up after his initial failure at the science fair?

a) He would have shifted to academic studies
b) He might have pursued a different career
c) He would have turned to teaching
d) He would have focused on hobbies

Answer: b) He might have pursued a different career
Reason: If Richard had given up early, he might have lost interest in science and chosen a completely different career path.

29. Question: How did Richard’s curiosity contribute to his scientific discoveries?

a) It made him question and explore deeply
b) It led to more theoretical studies
c) It pushed him towards simpler projects
d) It increased collaboration with peers

Answer: a) It made him question and explore deeply
Reason: Richard’s curiosity prompted him to dig deeper into scientific questions, a key factor in his major scientific breakthroughs.

30. Question: How can early exposure to scientific activities shape a child’s career, based on Richard’s experiences?

a) It makes them prefer science over other areas
b) It builds a deep interest in science
c) It pushes them to focus too early
d) It lessens their interest in other subjects

Answer: b) It builds a deep interest in science
Reason: Richard’s early involvement in science made him very interested in it, which helped him choose his career path.