Is Survival Selfish?

2. The author’s overall purpose is to argue that

• survival is selfish.

• saving others is always the right thing to do.

• those who survive a disaster should not be criticized.

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

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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 had special training in the military or police force.

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

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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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What is an argument?

• Always about proving a scientific theory

• To fight with another person

• the author expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to

  support that position.

• The art of persuasion in the middle of conflicts

What is a claim?

• a marine bivalve mollusc with shells of equal size. You can eat it.

• The facts presented in an argument

• ...is the author’s position on the topic or issue. It is the central idea

  around which the argument is structured.

• the other side's position on the issue