Newsela: Twenty Years After 9/11

Read the sentence from the introductory section of the article.

"That moment I looked over at the television and there was a smoldering hole on the ground in Pennsylvania, and they said it was United Flight 93," Grandcolas said. "That's when I dropped to the ground."

What is the meaning of the word "smoldering" as used in the sentence? (RI.2.4)

• Elongating

• Deepening

• Smokening

• Widening

Reading the following line from paragraph 14:

“Every year it's a gut punch," he said. "We will live with the scars the rest of our lives."

How does it contribute to the central meaning of the text? (RI.2.4)

• It reveals what the terrorists caused the 9/11 victims to experience.

• It illustrates the long-term effects that 9/11 survivors have had to endure over the years.

• It describes what it felt like when 9/11 victims got hurt.

• It conveys the message that 9/11 had an impact on people all over the world.

How does paragraph 4 contribute to the article? (RI.2.5)

There was "a little problem," his wife said, but she was "comfortable for now." She did not say she would call back, Grandcolas recalled. She said: "I love you more than anything, just know that. Please tell my family I love them too. Goodbye, honey."

• It discloses what kind of personality Laren had to readers.

• It acknowledges how Lauren felt about her family.

• It demonstrates the importance of saying goodbye to loved ones.

• It provides an anecdotal record of a victim’s experience before the crash.

Choose the TWO details from the section 2 ".Selfless Acts on Flight 93" that develops the idea that the actions of the people on the flight were extremely brave. (RI.2.5)

• “All 44 people on board were killed.” (P6)

• “It was a heroic act that spared countless more lives.” (P7)

• “Flight 93 was the fourth and final plane to be highjacked on September 11 by an al-Qaida terror group.” (P7)

• “The men were on a mission to hit targets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Passengers and crew members used seatback phones to call loved ones and authorities.” (P7)

• “They learned of the first two terror attacks, on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Realizing their hijacking was part of a broader attack, they took a vote to fight back and try to gain control of the plane.” (P7)

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A, then Part B.

Part A: What is the author’s primary point of view or message? (RI.2.6)

• The world has changed for the better since the attacks of 9//11.

• The events of 9/11 have lasting effects on the family and loved ones of victims.

• The Flight 93 National Memorial plays a key role in uniting the country county.

• All 9/11 survivors should seek medical and professional help.

Part A: What is the author’s primary point of view or message? (RI.2.6)

A) The world has changed for the better since the attacks of 9//11.

B) The events of 9/11 has had lasting effects on the family and loved ones of victims.

C) The Flight 93 National Memorial plays a key role in uniting the country county.

D) All 9/11 survivors should seek medical and professional help.

Part B: Select a sentence from the passage that supports the answer in Part A. (RI.1.1)

• “This country was united from sea to shining sea, and today, maybe now, would be a good time to let the divisiveness drop”

• “The 20th anniversary is an important one, Grandcolas said. He plans to travel to Pennsylvania to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial for the first time since 2003.”

• “Every year it's a gut punch," he said. "We will live with the scars the rest of our lives.”

• “Grandcolas struggled with depression and survivor's guilt in the aftermath of the tragedy.”

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A, then Part B.

Part A: Which section BEST explains the author's purpose. (RI.2.6)

• Selfless Acts On Flight 93

• Imagining Roles Loved Ones Took

• What is an Anniversary

• Living with “Scars”

Part A: Which section BEST explains the author's purpose. (RI.2.6)

A) Selfless Acts On Flight 93

B) Imagining Roles Loved Ones Took

C) What is an Anniversary

D) Living with “Scars”

Part B: Select TWO details from the text that best supports how the author develops his/her purpose. (RI.1.1)

• “He would hear her voice in times of struggle, telling him to get up and keep living his life.” (paragraph 16)

• “On the 20th anniversary, Grandcolas finds himself thinking back to how the country came together after the attacks, which he sees as a stark contrast to the division troubling America today.” (paragraph 17)

• “Grandcolas struggled with depression and survivor's guilt in the aftermath of the tragedy.” (paragraph 15)

• "Every year it's a gut punch," he said. "We will live with the scars the rest of our lives."

  (Paragraph 14)

• “This country was united from sea to shining sea, and today, maybe now, would be a good time to let the divisiveness drop..” (Paragraph 18)