Remembering September 11
At a memorial, a name carved in stone can represent far more than a historical event. It can recall a person’s family, friendships, work, and everyday life. On September 11 each year, communities across the United States pause to remember the people killed in the terrorist attacks of 2001 and to consider how others responded.
What happened on September 11?
On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four passenger airplanes in the United States. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, and a third struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members resisted the hijackers.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks. Those who died included people on the planes, people working in or visiting the buildings, and emergency responders. Their families and friends came from many communities and backgrounds. The attacks also affected survivors, rescue workers, and others who lost loved ones or witnessed the events.
A day of remembrance
- memorial:
- A place or object that honors people or events.
- hijacked:
- Taken control of a vehicle by force.
- remembrance:
- The act of honoring or recalling someone or something.
- designates:
- Officially names or sets something apart for a purpose.
- proclamation:
- An official public announcement.
- aftermath:
- The period and results following an important event.
- inquiry:
- The process of asking questions and seeking information.
- reliable:
- Trustworthy or dependable.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
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Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How does the opening image of a name carved in stone introduce the passage’s approach to remembrance?
- 2Why does the passage describe several ways families and communities observe September 11?
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About this explanatory article passage for Middle School
“Remembering September 11” is a explanatory article reading passage about September 11 remembrance, written for Middle School. It takes about 6 minutes to read (834 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.