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

• Ismay’s luck at being saved.

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

• the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic.

• 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?

• 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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To berate means to

• argue

• scold

• compliment

• adjust

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If a spectacle is guaranteed to transfix viewers, it will

• disgust them

• be new to them

• require their participation

• hold their attention

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To laud an actor’s performance means to

• mimic it

• criticize it

• watch it

• praise it

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