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TH

YOURE ON THE 87

FLOOR, AND SOMETHINGS

TERRIBLY WRONG
- Adam Mayblum

Ql) To really live you must almost die. To those who fight for it... life has a
meaning. Explain how this quotation is justified in the light of the
events that happened on September 11 in New York.
A:

Like most people, Adam Mayblum took life for granted. He worked in an office
on the 87thfloor of the World Trade Centre in New York City, USA. But on
September 11, 2001 the twin towers of the World Trade Centre were destroyed
in a terrorist attack. The buildings collapsed in less than two hours. Mayblum
was one of the lucky survivors.
When Mayblum felt the tower sway, he began to rush down. He staggered down
several flights of steps. Hundreds of people were trapped like him. They tried
to find their way through the debris, darkness and confusion. Strangers helped
each other, risking their lives. The final death toll was high. But the courage and
selflessness of the survivors and rescuers was remarkable. Life acquired a new
meaning for those who faced death that day. It was a rebirth in many ways.

Q2) Describe Adam Mayblums escape from the 87th floor of the World
Trade Centre.
A:

Adam Mayblum worked in an office on the 87thfloor of the World Trade Centre
in New York City, USA. On 11th September 2001 the twin towers of the World
Trade Centre were destroyed in a terrorist attack. The buildings collapsed in less
than two hours. Mayblum was one of the lucky survivors.
When the tower started swaying Mayblum did not panic. The entire structure
began to collapse. There was thick smoke and darkness. Mayblum showed

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presence of mind. He ripped his shirt into pieces and soaked the pieces in water.
His friends and he used these as air filters.
The elevators did not work. Mayblum and hundreds of others walked down
dozens of floors. Like many others, Mayblum made an effort to help those who
were injured. He displayed leadership in the crisis. Somehow, the nightmare
ended and Mayblum found himself on the street. Within a few minutes, the
tower collapsed completely. Mayblum then realized that he had had a
miraculous escape.

Q3) Everyone was a hero Justify this statement made by Adam Mayblum.
A:

On 11th September 2001 the World Trade Centre in New York City, USA, was
destroyed in a terrorist attack. The towers collapsed in less than two, hours.
Hundreds of people died. Adam Mayblum was one of the lucky survivors. As
the first tower started to burn, people rushed down. Yet they remained
calm..There was no panic. People risked their lives to help those who were
wounded. They made an attempt to lead others to safety. At the same time,
firelighters and policemen rushed into the blazing building, aware of the danger
they faced. It was a day when ordinary people showed great courage and
compassion. Everyone was a hero in some way or the other.

Q4) This is the ultimate failure of terrorism against the United States notes
Adam Mayblum. Why does Mayblum consider the terrorist attack a
failure?
A:

On 11th September 2001 the World Trade Centre in New York City, USA, was
destroyed in a terrorist attack. Terrorists hijacked two passenger planes and
crashed them into the twin towers of the building. The towers imploded and
collapsed in less than two hours. Hundreds of people died. Adam Mayblum
was one of the lucky survivors.

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Mayblum asserts, however, that the terrorist attack on the United States was a
failure. It could not crush the spirit of the people. Survivors helped one another,
unmindful of the darkness and the clinger. Many risked their lives to comfort
those who were injured. Firefighters and policemen rushed into the building
though they knew it was a death trap. Ordinary people became heroes that day.
There was a mood of unity. It was a victory of democracy over the forces of
evil.

Important Annotations

1.

No panic. At least, not overt panic. My legs could not stop shaking. My
heart was pounding.
Introduction: These lines are taken from the essay youre on the 87lh floor, and
somethings terribly wrong written by Adam Mayblum.
Context: The essay describes how the author survived the terrorist attack on the
World Trade Centre, New York, on September 11, 2001.
Explanation: When the tower started shaking. Mayblum thought that a bomb
had exploded. He tried to rush down at once. There was thick smoke and
darkness all around1.-The elevators were not working. Mayblum, along with
hundreds of others, started walking down the stairs. Debris and dead bodies
were strewn everywhere.
Comment: Yet people were calm and did not panic. Mayblums legs trembled

with fear and his heart beat fast. But he did not express outwardly the terror
that he felt.

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2.

Everyone cooperated. Everyone was a hero.

Introduction: This line is taken from the essay Youre on the 87th floor, and
somethings terribly wrong written by Adam Mayblum.
Context: The essay is an account of how the author survived the terrorist
attack on the World Trade Centre, New York, on September 11-2001.
Explanation: When the tower started to collapse, Mayblum rushed out of his
office which was on the 87" floor. Along with hundreds of others, he started
walking down the stairs. Debris and dead bodies lay everywhere/Survivors
helped one another, unmindful of the darkness and the smoke. Many risked
their lives. People gave way so that the injured could be carried down.
Comment: Firelighters and policemen rushed into the building though they
knew it was a death trap. Ordinary people became heroes that day.

3.

If you want to make us stronger, attack and we unite.

Introduction: This line is taken from the essay Youre on the87th floor, and
somethings terribly wrong written by Adam Mayblum.
Context: The essay is an account of how the author survived the terrorist
attack on the World Trade Centre, New York, on September 11, 2001.
Explanation: At the end of his essay, Mayblum says that the terrorist attack
on the United States was a failure. The terrorists succeeded in destroying the
towers and killing hundreds. Yet, they could not crush the spirit of the
people. Survivors helped one another, unmindful of the darkness and the
danger. Many risked their lives. Fire fighters and policemen rushed into the
tower though they knew it was a death trap. Ordinary people, thus, became
heroes that day. Democracy and freedom triumphed over the forces of evil.
Comment: The author concludes by saying that such terrorist attacks would
only strengthen the unity of Americans.

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