Question

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

according to the author of \seven steps to surviving a disaster,\ why were there far fewer deaths in an earthquake in chile than in a weaker earthquake in haiti?

a. far fewer people live in chile than in haiti.
b. the earthquake in chile occurred in a deserted area.
c. chile had laws that required buildings to be more earthquake-safe.
d. a large international search-and-rescue team helped people in chile.

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks why, according to the author of "Seven Steps to Surviving a Disaster," there were far fewer deaths in a stronger earthquake in Chile than in a weaker earthquake in Haiti.

Evaluate the options based on the text's central themes

The text "Seven Steps to Surviving a Disaster" focuses on preparedness, building codes, and infrastructure safety. Chile's strict enforcement of modern, earthquake-resistant building codes (laws requiring earthquake-safe buildings) is the primary reason cited for its resilience compared to Haiti, where lack of building regulations led to widespread structural collapse.

Match with the correct option

Option C directly states: "Chile had laws that required buildings to be more earthquake-safe." This aligns perfectly with the text's emphasis on infrastructure safety and disaster mitigation.

Answer:

• (A) Far fewer people live in Chile than in Haiti.
• (B) The earthquake in Chile occurred in a deserted area.
• (C) Chile had laws that required buildings to be more earthquake-safe. (Correct answer)
• (D) A large international search-and-rescue team helped people in Chile.