Question 11

Henrietta's age and her young children were mentioned to evoke sympathy for her and her family.

The author likely included details about Henrietta's young age and her children to elicit an emotional response from the reader, emphasizing the tragedy of her untimely death and the impact on her family.

A) suggest that Henrietta's age led to the immortality of her cells.

This option is incorrect as the text does not imply any correlation between Henrietta's age and the immortality of her cells. The focus is on her cells' unique ability to multiply, which is unrelated to her age.

B) cause the reader to feel sympathy for Henrietta and her family.

This option is correct because mentioning Henrietta's young age and her children highlights the emotional weight of her story. It underscores the loss experienced by her family, inviting the reader to empathize with her tragic circumstances.

C) suggest that Henrietta's children might also have immortal cells.

This choice is incorrect as the passage does not make any claims about the potential of Henrietta's children having immortal cells. The focus remains solely on Henrietta’s own cells and the consequences of her situation.

D) point out how dangerous cancer is.

While cancer is mentioned in the context of Henrietta's story, this option does not accurately capture the author's intent in highlighting her age and children. The emphasis is more on her personal tragedy than on a general statement about cancer’s dangers.

Conclusion

The correct answer, option B, effectively captures the author's intent to evoke sympathy and highlight the personal tragedy of Henrietta Lacks and her family. Other options fail to connect with the emotional narrative presented in the passage, focusing instead on unrelated aspects or misinterpretations of the text.