English (Footprints Without Feet ) Important Questions for Chapter 6 The Making of A Scientist (Robert W. Peterson) Class 10 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on The Making of A Scientist Class 10 Important Questions: CBSE English (Footprints Without Feet) Chapter 6
1. What are the most important questions from 'The Making of a Scientist' for Class 10 CBSE exams 2025-26?
- Describe how Richard E. Byrd’s curiosity shaped his scientific career.
- Explain the main message conveyed through 'The Making of a Scientist'.
- Discuss the role of Byrd's parents and teachers in supporting his interest in science.
- Highlight a significant challenge Byrd faced and how he overcame it.
- How does the author emphasize the importance of perseverance for aspiring scientists?
2. How did Richard E. Byrd’s childhood experiences contribute to his scientific temperament? (5-mark, CBSE 2025-26)
Byrd’s early interest in nature and hands-on experiments fostered lasting curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Observing animals, inquisitive exploration, and supportive parents nurtured a mindset essential for his later success in science, making his childhood experiences foundational according to CBSE's conceptual focus.
3. Why is curiosity considered the most vital quality for a scientist in this chapter? (Expected HOTS Question)
Curiosity drives a scientist to question, explore, and seek solutions beyond the obvious. In 'The Making of a Scientist', Byrd’s relentless curiosity led him to experiment, observe, and persist despite setbacks, proving that curiosity is central to meaningful scientific discovery and innovation.
4. What specific event first ignited Byrd’s desire to explore, as described in 'The Making of a Scientist'? (3-mark)
The pivotal experience was Byrd’s trip to the woods with his father, where he closely observed wildlife and nature. This outing sparked his life-long fascination for exploration and discovery, a common exam question highlighting formative influences.
5. In what ways did Byrd’s parents encourage his scientific pursuits? (CBSE exam trend)
- They supported his natural curiosity and explorations without criticism.
- His mother valued inquisitiveness and nurtured observation skills.
- Byrd was provided a safe environment to experiment and learn from failure, essential for his growth as a scientist.
6. Explain two qualities of Richard Byrd highlighted as essential for every aspiring scientist. (Frequently Asked)
Byrd exemplified perseverance, overcoming setbacks through persistent effort; and self-discipline, maintaining a consistent approach toward inquiry and learning. These traits are highlighted in CBSE marking schemes for long-answer reasoning.
7. How do Byrd’s failures and setbacks contribute to his eventual success according to the chapter?
Every setback taught Byrd resilience. He viewed failed experiments as learning opportunities, helping build determination and adaptability—qualities essential for problem-solving and scientific investigation, as emphasized in exam HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) questions.
8. Discuss the importance of a scientific mindset in young learners as depicted in 'The Making of a Scientist'. (FUQ)
The chapter illustrates that a scientific mindset—questioning, keen observation, and willingness to experiment—fosters lifelong learning. Young learners with such an attitude can turn curiosity into knowledge, mirroring CBSE's stress on inquiry-based learning for board exams.
9. What is the central theme of 'The Making of a Scientist' for CBSE board English?
The main theme is the power of curiosity, perseverance, and nurturing guidance in shaping a scientist. The story demonstrates how a supportive environment, combined with personal drive and resilience, is crucial for scientific achievement—a key CBSE exam focus.
10. How does 'The Making of a Scientist' help students understand the importance of observation and experimentation for scoring well in CBSE English?
The story uses Byrd’s childhood experiments and close observations as models of scientific learning. Students learn that regular observation and hands-on experimentation are not only central to becoming a scientist but are also valued in CBSE long-answer formats and textual analysis.
11. What kind of exam questions from this chapter test Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)?
HOTS questions typically ask for analysis, application, or evaluation of concepts from the story, such as comparing Byrd’s approach to failure with modern scientific methods, or discussing the role of environment in shaping talent—questions that require explanation beyond direct recall.
12. Compare the impact of Byrd’s parents and teachers on his journey to becoming a scientist. (CBSE 5-mark FUQ)
Byrd’s parents provided foundational curiosity and emotional support, while his teachers guided, focused, and nurtured his interests into structured scientific pursuit. Both influences worked in tandem, molding his successful career—exemplary content for extended reasoning responses.
13. Identify one conceptual trap or common misconception students may have when answering questions about 'The Making of a Scientist'.
A common misconception is that scientific success depends solely on intelligence or academic performance. The chapter counters this by showing that perseverance, curiosity, and environment are just as significant for scientific growth—crucial for achieving clarity in CBSE subjective responses.
14. What role does discipline play in the making of a scientist as per CBSE Class 10 English?
Discipline allows a scientist to pursue research consistently, manage setbacks, and maintain focus. Byrd’s story demonstrates that without self-discipline, curiosity cannot consistently lead to discovery, making discipline a key attribute discussed in CBSE important questions.
15. How can Byrd’s story inspire Class 10 students to excel in science and other fields?
Byrd’s journey shows that passion, persistence, and support are fundamental to excelling, not only in science but in any field. His story motivates students to embrace challenges, keep learning, and pursue their curiosity for success, aligning with the exam objective to foster holistic development.

















