Popular spots in Paris were

attacked by gunmen who killed

many people
By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 11.16.15
Word Count 495

People light candles at Republique Square in Paris, Nov. 15, 2015, after orchestrated terror attacks across
the French capital on Nov. 13 left scores dead or injured. Photo: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza

PARIS, France - Gunmen launched several attacks in Paris on Friday night. Paris
is the biggest city in France. The attacks were well-planned. They took place at
about the same time.
More than 132 people died, and more than 350 were injured.
The attacks were the worst in France since World War II.
The killers attacked places where people were enjoying a night out. Soccer
games, concerts and restaurants were attacked.
French police went into the streets. People hid indoors.

All Of Europe Is Worried

Friday was the second time this year that Paris has seen large killings. In
January, Islamist ghters attacked a newspaper. They also attacked a
supermarket owned by Jews. In all, 17 people died. The newspaper was
attacked because of cartoons it drew. The cartoons made fun of the prophet
Muhammad. He is the most important person in Islam. Muhammad lived
hundreds of years ago. People whose religion is Islam are called Muslim.
The attacks will worry people in Europe. A huge number of people from the
Middle East, southern Asia and Africa are coming to Europe. Many are
escaping wars in their home countries.
At the same time, some Muslims have grown angry with European governments.
European leaders are not sure how to handle these problems.

French Government Will Fight Back

The French president is Franois Hollande. He promised that France will ght
back.
On Saturday, the Islamic State said it did the attacking. Hollande also went on
television to blame the group.
Then on Sunday, France sent 10 warplanes to Syria that dropped 20 bombs on
places where it is believed the attackers worked.
The Islamic State is a violent group. It is also known as ISIS. It wants to start its
own country. ISIS ghters have taken over parts of Syria and Iraq.
The French government rst said that all eight of the attackers had been killed.
One was shot by police and six others died by setting off bombs. On Sunday,
the government said the eighth man was on the run and French police were
looking for him.
The worst attack took place at a concert hall. It is a place to see live music.
Many hundreds of people had gathered there. They were there to see a show by
an American rock band.
The city's deputy mayor said at least 100 people were killed there.

Two Presidents Speak Out

President Hollande went on TV Friday night to talk to the French people. He said
it was an emergency. Now France will send 1,500 soldiers to Paris. It is also
adding more military at its borders with other countries. Planes and trains from
other countries will still be let in.

In Washington, President Barack Obama said how sorry he was for the French
people. He offered the help of the United States "to bring these terrorists to
justice."
He said the attack was not just an attack on France. Obama called it "an attack
on all of humanity."

Quiz
1

Which of the following questions is answered by the section "French Government

Will Fight Back"?
(A)

Where did the attackers come from?

(B)

Who is responsible for the attacks in France?

(C)

How did the U.S. president respond to the attacks?

(D)

How many places in France were attacked?

Which sentence from the section "Two Presidents Speak Out" explains what will
happen next?
(A)

President Hollande went on TV Friday night to talk to the French

people.

(B)

Now France will send 1,500 soldiers to Paris.

(C)

In Washington, President Barack Obama said how sorry he was for

the French people.

(D)

He said the attack was not just an attack on France.

Read the rst sentence of the article.

Gunmen launched several attacks in Paris on Friday night.

Which words have the same meaning as "launched" in the sentence above?
(A)

nished off

(B)

called for

(C)

carried out

(D)

changed up

Read the sentences from the section "All Of Europe Is Worried."

A huge number of people from the Middle East, southern Asia

and Africa are coming to Europe. Many are escaping wars in
their home countries.
Which of the following words has the same meaning as "escaping" in the sentence
above?
(A)

eeing

(B)

starting

(C)

ghting

(D)

stopping

Answer Key
1

Which of the following questions is answered by the section "French Government

Will Fight Back"?
(A)

Where did the attackers come from?

(B)

Who is responsible for the attacks in France?

(C)

How did the U.S. president respond to the attacks?

(D)

How many places in France were attacked?

Which sentence from the section "Two Presidents Speak Out" explains what will
happen next?
(A)

President Hollande went on TV Friday night to talk to the French

people.

(B)

Now France will send 1,500 soldiers to Paris.

(C)

In Washington, President Barack Obama said how sorry he was for

the French people.

(D)

He said the attack was not just an attack on France.

Read the rst sentence of the article.

Gunmen launched several attacks in Paris on Friday night.

Which words have the same meaning as "launched" in the sentence above?
(A)

nished off

(B)

called for

(C)

carried out

(D)

changed up

Read the sentences from the section "All Of Europe Is Worried."

A huge number of people from the Middle East, southern Asia

and Africa are coming to Europe. Many are escaping wars in
their home countries.
Which of the following words has the same meaning as "escaping" in the sentence
above?
(A)

fleeing

(B)

starting

(C)

ghting

(D)

stopping