Is Survival Selfish? Argument by Lane Wallace
Authored by Dr. Ruben Castro Jr
English
9th Grade
CCSS covered
Used 144+ times
AI Actions
Add similar questions
Adjust reading levels
Convert to real-world scenario
Translate activity
More...
About
This quiz focuses on argument analysis and rhetorical strategies within the context of Lane Wallace's argumentative essay "Is Survival Selfish?" The material is appropriate for 9th grade students who are developing advanced reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Students need to understand how authors construct arguments through evidence, examples, and rhetorical devices, while also analyzing word choice, tone, and author's purpose. The core concepts assessed include identifying supporting evidence for claims, understanding how authors use specific examples to reinforce arguments, analyzing connotative word meanings, recognizing rhetorical questions and their effects, and evaluating the relationship between societal expectations and human instinct. Students must demonstrate comprehension of complex themes such as survivor guilt, societal judgment, and the moral complexities surrounding self-preservation versus altruism in crisis situations. Created by Dr. Ruben Castro Jr, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 9. This quiz serves as an excellent tool for assessing students' ability to analyze argumentative texts and understand sophisticated rhetorical strategies. Teachers can use this assessment for formative evaluation after students have read Wallace's essay, as a review activity before discussing argumentative writing techniques, or as homework to reinforce close reading skills. The combination of multiple-choice questions targeting specific textual evidence and open-ended questions requiring deeper analysis makes it versatile for both quick comprehension checks and extended discussion starters. The quiz aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1 for citing textual evidence, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.5 for analyzing argument structure, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6 for determining author's purpose and point of view, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.8 for evaluating the reasoning and evidence in argumentative texts.
Content View
Student View
20 questions
Show all answers
1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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
Tags
CCSS.RI.11-12.5
CCSS.RI.6.5
CCSS.RI.7.5
CCSS.RI.8.5
CCSS.RI.9-10.5
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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.
Tags
CCSS.RI. 9-10.6
CCSS.RI.8.6
CCSS.RI.8.9
CCSS.RL.8.6
CCSS.RL.9-10.6
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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.
Tags
CCSS.RI. 9-10.6
CCSS.RI.8.6
CCSS.RI.8.9
CCSS.RL.8.6
CCSS.RL.9-10.6
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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.
Tags
CCSS.RI.11-12.5
CCSS.RI.6.5
CCSS.RI.7.5
CCSS.RI.8.5
CCSS.RI.9-10.5
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
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.
Tags
CCSS.RI. 9-10.2
CCSS.RI.8.2
CCSS.RL.7.2
CCSS.RL.8.2
CCSS.RL.9-10.2
Access all questions and much more by creating a free account
Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
Continue with Google
Continue with Email
Continue with Classlink
Continue with Clever
or continue with
Microsoft
%20(1).png)
Apple
Others
Already have an account?
