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Henrietta Lacks Chapters Worksheet

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Henrietta Lacks Chapters 1-3 Worksheet

Scientific cells illustration

📚 Part 1: Vocabulary and Comprehension

1. Match each vocabulary word with its correct definition:
A. Immortal
B. Biopsy
C. Ethics
D. Tissue culture
1. Growing cells in a laboratory
2. Living forever; never dying
3. Moral principles about right and wrong
4. Removing tissue for medical examination
2. What was Rebecca Skloot's primary purpose in writing the first three chapters?

To explain scientific techniques in detail

To introduce Henrietta Lacks and raise ethical questions

To give a complete biography of her own life

To discuss modern cancer treatments

3. Which narrative techniques does Skloot use in these chapters? (Check all that apply)

Personal storytelling

Scientific explanations

Historical context

Poetry and rhyme

✏️ Part 2: Analysis and Critical Thinking

4. How does Skloot build empathy for Henrietta Lacks in these opening chapters? Provide one specific example with a page reference.

Sentence starter (if needed): Skloot builds empathy for Henrietta by _________________ on page ___.

5. What ethical questions arise from Henrietta's story in these chapters? Explain one ethical concern.

Sentence starter (if needed): One ethical concern is _________________ because _________________.

6. Why is the historical context of the 1950s important to understanding Henrietta's story?
7. Find one example of figurative language that Skloot uses in these chapters. Write the quote and explain its effect.

Quote: "_________________________________________________"

Page: _____

🤔 Part 3: Reflection on Medical Ethics

8. Based on what you've read in Chapters 1-3, what is your understanding of ethics in medical research? Should patients always give permission before their cells are used for research? Explain your thinking with examples from the text.

Reflection sentence starters (choose one to begin):

• I believe that medical ethics requires _________________ because _________________.

• After reading about Henrietta's story, I think _________________.

• The most important ethical issue I noticed was _________________.

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