"Richard was competitive," Mr. Weiherer continued, "but not in a bad sense." He explained, "Richard wasn't interested in winning for winning's sake or winning to get a prize. Rather, he was winning because he wanted to do the best job he could. For the right reasons, he wants to be the best." And that is one of the ingredients in the making of a scientist. Start with a first-rate mind, add curiosity, and mix in the will to win for the right reasons. Ebright has these qualities.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:16 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) We can infer that Richard was not motivated by prizes or personal glory. He competed only to do his best and deliver quality work, showing healthy, purpose-driven ambition rather than selfish rivalry.
(ii) The ingredients required in the making of a scientist are:
- A first-rate mind (high intelligence)
- Curiosity (the desire to explore and question)
- The will to win for the right reasons (not for prizes, but to do the best job possible)
Ebright possessed all three qualities.
(iii) Mr. Weiherer suggests that Richard was persistent.
(iv) The correct option is (D) irrational.
Ebright was strongly curious, bright-minded, and competitive — all confirmed in the passage. He was never described as irrational; in fact, his approach was methodical and purpose-driven.
Source: The Making of a Scientist, Harvard, Achievements, and the Making of a Scientist
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Explanation
- (i) Focus on the contrast: competing to do the best job, not to win a prize — that's the key inference.
- (ii) The three ingredients are explicitly listed in the passage: first-rate mind, curiosity, will to win for the right reasons. Mentioning all three earns full marks.
- (iii) "Lethargic" means lazy, which contradicts Mr. Weiherer's praise. "Persistent" fits — he put in 3–4 extra hours nightly.
- (iv) The passage supports A, B, and C directly. "Irrational" is never suggested and contradicts his entire scientific approach — so D is the odd one out.