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Henrietta Lacks Quiz 1

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Henrietta Lacks Quiz 1

Book cover illustration

📚 Part 1: Multiple Choice

I can identify key characters, events, and themes from Chapters 1-3.

1. What year did Henrietta Lacks first visit Johns Hopkins Hospital?

1949

1951

1953

1955

2. What was unusual about Henrietta's cells?

They died quickly in the lab

They multiplied rapidly and survived outside the body

They were immune to cancer

They changed color under microscopes

3. Who is the author and narrator of this book?

Deborah Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

Dr. George Gey

Day Lacks

4. What was Henrietta's nickname?

Henny

Hennie

HeLa

Hennie

5. Which doctor treated Henrietta at Johns Hopkins?

Dr. TeLinde

Dr. George Gey

Dr. Howard Jones

Dr. Richard Wesley

6. What type of cancer did Henrietta have?

Breast cancer

Lung cancer

Cervical cancer

Skin cancer

7. Which of the following themes are present in the first three chapters? (Check all that apply)

Medical ethics

Racial inequality in healthcare

Scientific discovery

Family relationships

8. What was the name given to Henrietta's cell line?

HeLa

HL-1

Lacks cells

Henrietta cells

📝 Part 2: Cloze Reading Passage

I can use context clues to complete missing information about Henrietta's story.

Word Bank: consent, immortal, poverty, segregated, research, Baltimore, tobacco, cells, HeLa, ethics

9. Fill in the blanks using words from the word bank:

Henrietta Lacks was born into _________ in rural Virginia, where her family worked on _________ farms. When she moved to _________ with her husband Day, she lived in a _________ neighborhood where African Americans had limited access to quality healthcare. At Johns Hopkins Hospital, doctors took samples of her _________ without her knowledge or _________. These cells became _________ in the laboratory, meaning they could live and multiply indefinitely. The cell line was named _________, and it became crucial for medical _________ around the world. However, the story raises important questions about medical _________ and patient rights.

✏️ Part 3: PACA Analysis

I can analyze the author's purpose, audience, context, and argument.

10. What is Rebecca Skloot's primary purpose for writing this book based on the first three chapters?
11. Who do you think is the intended audience for this book? Explain your reasoning.
12. Describe the historical context of Henrietta's story (time period, social conditions, medical practices).

🔍 Part 4: Character Analysis

I can analyze key characters and their roles in the story.

Character Bank: Rebecca Skloot, Henrietta Lacks, Day Lacks, Dr. George Gey, Deborah Lacks, Dr. Howard Jones

13. Match each description with the correct character from the character bank:

The scientist who cultured Henrietta's cells: _________________

Henrietta's husband: _________________

The author investigating the story: _________________

Henrietta's daughter seeking answers: _________________

The doctor who first examined Henrietta: _________________

14. What motivates Rebecca Skloot to tell Henrietta's story?
15. How does the author describe Henrietta's personality in the early chapters?

🤔 Part 5: Critical Thinking

I can make connections between the text and broader themes.

16. Based on what you've read, what argument do you think Skloot is beginning to make about medical research and patient rights?
17. How does the setting of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s affect the story? Consider both the medical and social context.
18. What role does race play in Henrietta's medical treatment? Provide specific examples from the text.
19. Why do you think the author chose to begin the book with Henrietta's story rather than starting with the scientific discoveries?
20. Extension Activity: If you were Henrietta Lacks, how would you want your story to be told? What would be most important to you?

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