The severity factors are delineated by the characteristics negligible, __________, _________, and catastrophic.

The severity factors are delineated by the characteristics negligible, __________, _________, and catastrophic.

• A. marginal, critical
• B. minor, major
• C. moderate, severe
• D. minimal, extreme

Answer: (A)

Severe outcome levels are used to rank possible consequences so controls can be prioritized. The four levels typically form a progression from little to extreme impact: negligible, marginal, critical, catastrophic. Filling in the blanks with marginal and critical completes that clear escalation, giving negligible, marginal, critical, and catastrophic. Marginal denotes a minor effect with minimal action needed, while critical indicates a serious consequence that would require prompt attention. Catastrophic is the most severe, involving major harm or loss. The other pairings don’t fit this standard escalating sequence.

Severe outcome levels are used to rank possible consequences so controls can be prioritized. The four levels typically form a progression from little to extreme impact: negligible, marginal, critical, catastrophic. Filling in the blanks with marginal and critical completes that clear escalation, giving negligible, marginal, critical, and catastrophic. Marginal denotes a minor effect with minimal action needed, while critical indicates a serious consequence that would require prompt attention. Catastrophic is the most severe, involving major harm or loss. The other pairings don’t fit this standard escalating sequence.