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WorksheetsIs Survival Selfish?
Total questions: 13
Worksheet time: 6mins
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 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.
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.
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
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 in this selection is
critical
passionate
thoughtful
biased
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
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.
If a spectacle is guaranteed to transfix viewers, it will
disgust them.
be new to them.
require their participation.
hold their attention.
To berate means to
argue.
compliment.
scold.
adjust.
To laud an actor's performance means to
mimic it.
watch it.
criticize it.
praise it.
