Identity Puzzle Worksheet
Identity Detective Guided Reading Guide
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The Identity Puzzle: Case File
Source: CommonLit (2015)
Are people who they are because of their genes (nature), or how they were raised (nurture)? Read the text on the next pages using the Breakdown Hints to unlock the clues!
Step 1: Detective Hook (Notice & Wonder)
Nature (Biology) Nurture (World)
DNA Recipe Eye color, height, genes
Life Journey Language, friends, media
"What makes you unique?"
🔍 Notice: What is one trait you got from your biological parents?
💭 Wonder: What is one skill or habit you learned from your family/friends?
Step 2: Word Power (Key Terms in the Passage)
Master these 4 key terms before diving into the article:
1. Nature Genes / DNA
Definition: Biological traits and inherited genetic qualities passed down from biological parents before birth.
Example: Natural eye color, blood type.
2. Nurture Environment
Definition: All environmental factors, family upbringing, school, media, and experiences after birth.
Example: First language spoken, manners, hobbies.
3. Tabula Rasa Blank Slate
Definition: Latin phrase for "blank slate." Philosopher John Locke's idea that humans are born blank and shaped completely by experience.
Key Idea: The nurture-only view.
4. Heritable Passed Down
Definition: Capable of being inherited or passed down through generations (genetically or socially).
Example: Genetic diseases or family wealth.
Detective Reading Strategy
On Pages 2 & 3, read each paragraph in the left column. Then, look right at the 💡 Breakdown Hint to understand the core message before moving on!
The Identity Puzzle: Nature vs. Nurture • Page 1
Identity Detective Text Breakdown • Part 1
Page 2
The Nature vs. Nurture Debate
By CommonLit Staff (2015)
Guiding Focus: As you read, notice the specific evidence the author provides for both sides of the debate.
Section 1: Background [¶1] The Core Question
[1] The nature versus nurture debate is about which part of a person is more important—their inherited qualities, which includes genes, or their personal experiences and the way they were brought up. For years, scientists have tried to find out what causes people to have different personalities, behaviors, and characteristics.
Breakdown Hint 1
What it means: Scientists are asking a huge question: Are you who you are because of your DNA code (nature) or your life journey (nurture)?
🔑 Key Idea: Nature = Born with. Nurture = Raised with.
Section 2: Scientific Approach [¶2] The Twin Strategy
[2] The nature versus nurture debate poses a very complicated scientific question: how do scientists figure out which one plays a greater role in the development of a person? Many scientists study twins that have separated at birth to answer this research question. Scientists use twins because they have identical genes, so it makes it easier to observe the effect of a person’s environment.
Breakdown Hint 2
Why study twins? Identical twins share 100% of the exact same genes. If twins raised in different homes act differently, scientists know it was their environment (nurture) that caused it!
🔑 Key Idea: Twins are a natural science experiment.
Section 3: The Nurture Side [¶3] Blank Slate & Language
[3] The view that humans acquire all or almost all of their behavioral traits from “nurture” was termed tabula rasa, Latin for “blank slate,” by philosopher John Locke. This idea proposes that humans develop only from environmental influences. One example of a person’s trait that is completely determined by their environment is the native language. Studies show that children, regardless of where they're born, can learn any language with equal facility.
Breakdown Hint 3
The "Blank Slate" View: John Locke claimed we are born with zero personality locked in. Language is pure proof of nurture: a baby will speak whatever language is spoken around them!
🔑 Key Idea: You aren't born speaking a language; you learn it.
Mid-Reading Check: Why are separated identical twins ideal for nature vs nurture research?
The Identity Puzzle: Nature vs. Nurture • Page 2
Identity Detective Text Breakdown • Part 2
Page 3
The Nature vs. Nurture Debate (Continued)
Continue reading with your detective hints to analyze the Nature side and the author's final conclusion.
Section 3 (Cont.): The Modern Definition of Nurture [¶3] More than Just Parents
The term “nurture” has historically been defined as the care given to children by the parents, with the mother playing an important role. Now, this term is regarded by some as the environmental (nongenetic) factor of a person’s environment. This new definition of “nurture” has been expanded to include, not just a person’s family upbringing, but also everything else they experience in daily life including advertisements, media, education, peer influences, and home environments.
Breakdown Hint 3B
Nurture got bigger! Nurture isn't just your parents. It is your whole world: your friends (peers), YouTube/TV ads, teachers, books, and neighborhood!
🔑 Key Idea: Every daily experience shapes your identity.
Section 4: The Nature Side [¶4] Inherited Blueprints
[4] Some scientists have concluded that a person’s nature—meaning the traits they got from their parents—have more power in determining a person’s identity than how they are nurtured, or raised. Inherited traits are traits that are developed before birth. Some genetic traits are highly heritable, such as eye color. Some disorders or diseases are also heritable. However, environments are still influential in how that disease affects a person’s life; for example, people who are born with a disease may live a long time depending on how they are cared for. There are also some non-genetic factors that are highly heritable. For example, wealth and social status are two non-genetic factors that are generally passed down from family.
Breakdown Hint 4
The Power of Biology: Traits like eye color and genetic health are locked in before you are born. But notice: even with disease, good medical care (nurture) helps you live a long life!
🔑 Key Idea: Biology sets the blueprint, but care still matters.
Section 5: Conclusions [¶5] Beyond Either / Or
[5] Some people criticize the whole concept of “nature versus nurture.” They claim that it is an overly simple way to think about a person’s identity. Perhaps the answer is not as simple. Are there other factors beyond genes and the environment that make us who we are?
Breakdown Hint 5
The Real Secret: It's not a fight of Nature VS. Nurture! Modern scientists agree they work together like teammates. Plus, your own choices and efforts play a role too!
🔑 Key Idea: Nature and nurture interact together.
Case Briefing Complete! You now have all the clues needed to answer the Detective Challenge questions on Page 4.
Turn to Page 4 ➔
The Identity Puzzle: Nature vs. Nurture • Page 3
Identity Detective Detective Challenge
Page 4
Detective Challenge: Text Comprehension Tasks
Use evidence and hints from the text to complete each task below.
Section A: Evidence Check (Choose the Best Answer)
1. According to Paragraph 3, what is one trait completely determined by a person's environment?
A) Eye color
B) Native language
C) Blood type
D) Inherited diseases
2. Why do scientists specifically study identical twins separated at birth? (Paragraph 2 & Hint 2)
A) Because they have completely different genes from each other.
B) Because they have identical genes, making it easy to isolate the effects of different environments.
C) Because they always speak the same language even in different countries.
Section B: Explain with Text Evidence
3. What did philosopher John Locke mean by "tabula rasa" (blank slate), and how does the expanded definition of nurture include more than just parents?
Section C: Personal Case Investigation
4. In Paragraph 5, the author suggests identity is beyond an either/or choice. Choose one skill, talent, or trait of your own (e.g., soccer, math, artistic ability, sense of humor). Explain how BOTH nature (genes) and nurture (practice, family, teachers) contributed to it:
The Identity Puzzle: Nature vs. Nurture • Page 4
