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

• the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic.

• Ismay’s luck at being saved.

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

• the fierceness of the media attack.

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. The author’s overall purpose is to argue that

• survival is selfish.

• saving others is always the right thing to do.

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

• those who survive a disaster should not be criticized.

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

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

• dangerous situations can occur anytime and anywhere

• people are attracted to scenes of disaster

• a person must be determined to get to safety.

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

• They are in poor physical shape.

• They lose their ability to think clearly.

• They do not have survival training

• They believe fate will determine the outcome.

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

• A knowledge of others’ suffering

• post-traumatic stress

• society’s double standards

• fear of media criticism

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

• A knowledge of others’ suffering

• post-traumatic stress

• society’s double standards

• fear of media criticism

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With which statement would the author most likely agree?

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

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

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

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

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The author’s tone in this selection is

• critical

• passionate

• thoughtful

• biased

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According to the text, what is NOT a factor that can influence a person's actions in a crisis?

• Whether the person panics or not.

• Whether the person goes with their "gut" or impulses.

• Whether the person instinctually protects themselves, or others.

• Whether they have studied survival situations before

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What is the difference between "civilized" behavior and "instinct" as the author uses these terms?

• "civilized" shows you have manners; "instinct" means you are disheveled.

• "civilized" means you do what society admires, like saving others; "instinct" tells you to save yourself.

• "civilized" means you protect society at all costs; "instinct" means you preserve nature.

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