Is Survival Selfish? Argument by Lane Wallace

How does the author support her claim that people are sometimes blamed for saving themselves?

• by arguing that some people are heroes and other people are not

• by asking the reader questions that force them to assign blame

• by giving examples of what happened during and after a crisis

• by showing that it takes selfishness to want to save yourself

The author included the information in paragraph 7 to –

• demonstrate that in some circumstances saving your life is the right action

• argue that this woman cost other people their lives by her actions

• offer an example of what you should do in an airplane fire

• criticize the other passengers for not trying to save themselves

The author concludes her argument with –

• recommendations for what you should do in a live-and-die situation

• another example that explains what being selfish in a crisis means

• a story about a friend who says you have to be brave and foolish

• generalizations arguing that the issue is not so simple

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.

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.

In paragraphs 4 and 5, the author describes how people reacted to an explosion near Grand Central Station. Her description supports her point that

• people’s instincts 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.

According to the survival training expert cited in paragraph 6, what is the reason 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.

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

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.

The author’s tone is this selection is

• critical

• passionate

• thoughtful

• biased