Flowers for Algernon Writing Activity/Anticipation Guide

Name______ELA 7

PART 1:

Rank these ideas from the MOST important to the LEAST important.

money power belonging family love

intelligence (mental ability) happiness physical ability

- Why did you choose #1 as the most important?

- Where did you rank intelligence? Why do you think it belonged there?

- Where did you rank intelligence in relation to happiness? How closely do you think the two rely on each other?

PART 2:

Directions: Read and answer each question carefully based off what you believe right at this moment. There are no right or wrong answers. Make sure you answer each question thoughtfully and completely.

1. Is it ok to be mean or cruel to people if they don’t know any better or don’t understand you are being mean? Why do you think you believe that?

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2. Are people born the way they are meant to be? Why do you think you believe that?

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3. Is the world exactly the way it is supposed to be, or is it ok for humans to “play god” and alter our existence?Why do you think you believe that?

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4. Should our technology be used to improve people’s physical and/or mental abilities? Why or why not?

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5. Give an example of an instance when it would be ok for humans to intervene.

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6. Give an example of an instance when it would NOT be ok for humans to intervene and change nature.

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7. Is a negative experience worthwhile if you learn something from it? Why do you think you believe that?

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8. Is it right or wrong for family members to desert each other? Explain why you think that. What reasons do people in our society have for deserting family members?

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9. Give an example of when you think it would be right to desert a family member.

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10. Give an example of when you think it would NOT be right to desert a family member.

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11. Do you believe that the smarter a person is, the happier they are? Why or why not?

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12. Are our emotions more important than intellect? Why do you believe that?

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13. Do you believe the ability to reason and remember are what make people human? Explain your answer.

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14. Does intelligence make a person more likeable? Why or why not?

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15. Do people with more intelligence have less problems? Why do you think that?

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16. Does a person’s IQ determine how much knowledge they have?

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17. Is it ok to test medicines or cosmetics on animals as long as they don’t die? What would the alternative be? Explain your stance.

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18. Would a real friend make fun of you? What is the difference when a friend does it versus someone you aren’t friends with?

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19. If money wasn’t an option and you could surgically alter yourself, would you? Why or why not? If you said yes, what would you change and why?

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20. Based on all the above questions, make a prediction of what Flowers For Algernon will be about.

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