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Reading level

Small Whale · Reading worksheet

Iran Air Flight 655

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/iran-air-flight-655

Step 2 · Questions

1. From the article, write the aircraft registration:
2. From the article, write the flight number:
3. What happened to Iran Air Flight 655?
4. Why did the U.S. ship think the plane was a fighter jet?

Step 3 · Words to know

Write what each word means, using the article.

Transponder Codes
Ex Gratia
Ticonderoga-class Cruiser

Step 4 · Two facts in your own words

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

1.

2.

Cite your source

Iran Air Flight 655. Small Whale. https://smallwhale.org/articles/iran-air-flight-655. Accessed 2026-09-23. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Answer key (teacher copy)

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. From the article, write the aircraft registration:EP-IBU
2. From the article, write the flight number:IR655
3. What happened to Iran Air Flight 655?The plane was shot down by a U.S. warship called the USS Vincennes. It crashed into the sea and many people died.
4. Why did the U.S. ship think the plane was a fighter jet?The crew of the ship was in a war zone and thought the plane was a military jet because of the signals it sent. They were confused and made a mistake.

Transponder Codes: Electronic signals used by aircraft to identify themselves to radar systems.
Ex Gratia: A payment made out of goodwill or generosity, not because of legal obligation.
Ticonderoga-class Cruiser: A class of advanced United States Navy guided-missile warships equipped with sophisticated radar systems.