Free Patriot Day 9/11 Activities and Printables - Free Printable

Let's solve the task step by step based on the provided text about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

---

Part 1: Find words in the text to match these definitions.

We will go through each definition and find the matching word from the passage.

1. Totally:
→ *Utterly*
*(“The country was utterly shocked.”)*

2. Making a serious promise or decision:
→ *Vowing*
*(“Islamic jihadists vowing death to all Americans”)*

3. Crashed:
→ *Plowed* (used metaphorically for crashing into the towers)
*(“plowed into the Twin Towers”)*
OR more directly: *crashing* (from “ended up crashing in an empty field”)
But since “crashed” is the verb, best answer: crashing or plowed — but “plowed” is more accurate for the action of hitting the towers.

However, the exact word used in the text for "crashed" is crashing (in “crashing in an empty field”). So:
→ crashing

4. Went in the direction of:
→ *Headed*
*(“presumably headed for the White House…”)*

5. Finally:
→ *Ultimately*
*(“was ultimately diverted…”)*

6. Frightening:
→ *Terrifying*
*(“It was a terrifying, startling, and humbling event…”)*

7. Humiliating:
→ *Humbling*
*(“terrifying, startling, and humbling event”)*

8. Saddening:
→ *Startling*? No. Let’s look again.
The text says: “startling and humbling,” but not “saddening.”
Actually, “devastation” implies sadness. But we need a synonym from the text.
Wait — “poignant” means emotionally moving, often sad.
→ *Poignant*
*(“attacks were made even more poignant by their central location…”)*

9. Continuing:
→ *Ongoing*
*(“its ongoing devastation”)*

10. Shocking:
→ *Shock* (as in “shock attack at Pearl Harbor”)
But the word used in the text is shocking, but it's not directly stated.
The phrase is: “the shock attack at Pearl Harbor” — so “shock” is the noun form.
But the adjective shocking is implied.
However, the word shocking is not in the text. But shocked is: “The country was utterly shocked.”
So the word is shocked? But that’s not the same as “shocking.”

Wait — let’s check:
The text says: “the shock attack at Pearl Harbor” — so “shock” is used as a noun.
But “shocking” is not in the text.
However, “startling” is used: “terrifying, startling, and humbling.”
“Startling” = shocking.
So: → startling

11. Part of a cinema or television film recording a particular event:
→ *Footage*
*(“news footage captured almost everything…”)*

12. Making sure:
→ *Ensuring*
*(“ensuring that most Americans saw the events…”)*

13. Happening:
→ *Unfolding*
*(“as they were unfolding”)*

---

✔ Final Answers for Part 1:

1. Totally: utterly
2. Making a serious promise or decision: vowing
3. Crashed: crashing
4. Went in the direction of: headed
5. Finally: ultimately
6. Frightening: terrifying
7. Humiliating: humbling
8. Saddening: poignant
9. Continuing: ongoing
10. Shocking: startling
11. Part of a cinema or television film recording a particular event: footage
12. Making sure: ensuring
13. Happening: unfolding

---

Part 2: Fill in the gaps.

Now fill in the blanks using information from the text.

> The worst terrorist attacks in American history occurred on September 11, 2001. 2,977 people were killed. Two hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center. Another plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane, Flight 93, which is thought to have been heading for the White House or the US Capitol, was diverted by passengers and eventually crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania. The 9/11 attacks were the deadliest attacks on The USA since the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor 60 years before. They occurred in the country’s busiest city on a busy workday. Millions of Americans saw the events precisely as they were unfolding.

---

✔ Final Answer for Part 2:

The worst terrorist attacks in American history occurred on September 11, 2001. 2,977 people were killed. Two hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center. Another plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane, Flight 93, which is thought to have been heading for the White House or the US Capitol, was diverted by passengers and eventually crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania. The 9/11 attacks were the deadliest attacks on The USA since the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor 60 years before. They occurred in the country’s busiest city on a busy workday. Millions of Americans saw the events precisely as they were unfolding.

---

✔ Summary:

This exercise tests reading comprehension and vocabulary skills. By carefully analyzing the text, you can extract synonyms and key facts to complete both parts accurately.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable worksheet or need explanations in simpler language!