Use the image to answer the question.

First, calculate the surface area of the bottom rectangular prism:

Surface area = 2(length * width + length * height + width * height)
Surface area = 2(17 * 14 + 17 * 6.5 + 14 * 6.5)
Surface area = 2(238 + 110.5 + 91)
Surface area = 2(439.5)
Surface area = 879 square inches

Next, calculate the surface area of the top rectangular prism that is not covered by the small rectangular prism:

Surface area = length * width + length * height + width * height
Surface area = 8.5 * 14 + 8.5 * 6.5 + 14 * 6.5
Surface area = 119 + 55.25 + 91
Surface area = 265.25 square inches

Add the surface area of both prisms to get the total surface area of the two-tiered steps:

Total surface area = Surface area of bottom prism + Surface area of top prism
Total surface area = 879 + 265.25
Total surface area = 1,144.25

The surface area of the two-tiered steps is 1,144.25 square inches.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

1,144.25 in. squared