On September 11,2001 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Today 15 years later I still can remember where I was on a beautiful Tuesday morning when I realized that the world as I knew it would never be the same again. I was teaching in Queens, N.Y. when I heard that we were attacked on American soil. My husband was working downtown on Wall Street near the site of the destruction and I remember being in pins and needles until I received word that he was safely on one of the last trains leaving Manhattan on it's way back to Long Island. Thankfully, my new born baby was safe at home. On that Tuesday, many lives were lost and freedom, idealism, and the way we lived our lives would forever be altered by the terrible events that occurred that day. We must never forget those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Vocabulary
Militants-(adjective) A person engaged in warfare
Extremist-(noun) A person who goes to extremes, especially in political matters
Hijacked-(verb) To steal (a vehicle) by force
Targets-(noun) Aim of an attack
Destruction-(noun) Causing a lot damage to something that cannot be fixed
Idealism-(noun) The practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically
Altered-(adjective) To change
Events-(noun) A happening; occurrence
Directions: Match the word with the appropriate synonym and put its letter next to the phrase.
1. Militant: a) Seize, steal
2. Extremist: b) Fanatic
3. Hijacked: c) Happening, occurrence
4. Target: d) Dreamer, optimist
5. Destruction: e) Aggressive, combative
6. Idealism: f) Ruin
7. Altered: g) Kill, prey
8. Events: h) Change, adjust
Grammar Point: A word opposite in meaning to another.
Ex. Bad and good
Fast and slow
Grammar Exercise
Change the word that is underlined to its antonym.
1. My teacher gives hard homework.
2. We live far from my school.
3. School starts too early.
4. My dog climbed under the fence.
5. I like a cold lunch
6. Carlos is the shortest boy in our class.
7.Sue is sad about the party.
8.Today it will be warm outside.
9. The new boy Mario is nice.
10. I am slow at running the race.
Ex. Bad and good
Fast and slow
Grammar Exercise
Change the word that is underlined to its antonym.
1. My teacher gives hard homework.
2. We live far from my school.
3. School starts too early.
4. My dog climbed under the fence.
5. I like a cold lunch
6. Carlos is the shortest boy in our class.
7.Sue is sad about the party.
8.Today it will be warm outside.
9. The new boy Mario is nice.
10. I am slow at running the race.
