Is Survival Selfish?

The author says that J. Bruce Ismay “was savaged by the media and the general public for climbing into a lifeboat and saving himself.” She uses the word savaged to convey

• A Ismay’s luck at being saved.

• B Ismay’s selfishness in taking a spot in the lifeboat.

• C the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic.

• D the fierceness of the media attack.

The author’s overall purpose is to argue that

• A survival is selfish.

• B saving others is always the right thing to do.

• C many factors influence a person’s behavior in a crisis.

• D those who survive a disaster should not be criticized.

In lines 22–37, the author describes how people reacted to an explosion near Grand Central Station. Her description supports her point that

• A people’s instinct for self-preservation does not always take over.

• B dangerous situations can occur anytime and anywhere.

• C people are attracted to scenes of disaster.

• D a person must be determined to get to safety.

According to the survival training expert cited in lines 39–40, what is the reason that some people do not survive life-threatening situations?

• A They are in poor physical shape.

• B They lose their ability to think clearly.

• C They do not have survival training.

• D They believe fate will determine the outcome.

What does the author believe is the basis for survivor guilt?

• A knowledge of others’ suffering

• B post-traumatic stress

• C society’s double standards

• D fear of media criticism

With which statement would the author most likely agree?

• A It is easier to judge the wisdom of a person’s actions after the fact.

• B In a crisis, everyone makes deliberate decisions about what to do.

• C Survivors are usually those who have been in similar situations before.

• D Those who do not survive often lack the will to live.

The author’s tone in this selection is

• A critical.

• B passionate.

• C thoughtful.

• D biased.

To berate means to

• argue

• scold

• compliment

• adjust

If a spectacle is guaranteed to transfix viewers, it will

• A disgust them.

• B be new to them.

• C require their participation.

• D hold their attention.

To laud an actor’s performance means to

• A mimic it.

• B criticize it.

• C watch it.

• D praise it.