Question

first read: comprehension
identify the choice that best answers the question.

according to \titanic vs. lusitania,\ which statement about survival rates on the two ships is accurate?

a. older men without children survived better than other groups on both ships.
b. children had better chances of surviving on the lusitania than on the titanic.
c. groups protected by social rules, such as young women and upper class people, had better chances of surviving on the titanic than on the lusitania.
d. groups protected by social rules, such as young women and upper class people, had better chances of surviving on the lusitania than on the titanic.

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of the two shipwrecks

The text "Titanic vs. Lusitania" compares the behavioral responses and survival rates of passengers during two maritime disasters. On the Titanic, which took nearly three hours to sink, social norms and rules (such as "women and children first" and class-based protocol) had time to take effect, leading to higher survival rates for protected groups like women, children, and upper-class passengers. On the Lusitania, which sank in only 18 minutes, panic dominated, and physical strength/selfish behavior prevailed, meaning these socially protected groups did not have a survival advantage.

Evaluate the given options

• Option A is incorrect because older men without children did not have the highest survival rates on both ships.
• Option B is incorrect because children had a much lower chance of survival on the rapidly sinking Lusitania compared to the Titanic.
• Option C is correct because social norms and rules successfully protected young women and upper-class passengers on the Titanic (due to the longer sinking time), whereas on the Lusitania, the rapid sinking led to a "every man for himself" situation where these groups had lower survival rates.
• Option D is incorrect because it states the opposite of the historical findings.

Answer:

• A. Older men without children survived better than other groups on both ships.
• B. Children had better chances of surviving on the Lusitania than on the Titanic.
• C. Groups protected by social rules, such as young women and upper class people, had better chances of surviving on the Titanic than on the Lusitania. (Correct answer)
• D. Groups protected by social rules, such as young women and upper class people, had better chances of surviving on the Lusitania than on the Titanic.