Reading Comprehension
Mount Rainier: Changing Names
Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in Washington State, appears on everything from
t-shirts to license plates. The mountain has been called Rainier since 1792, but recently
activists began lobbying to change its name to Ti’Swaq, after a group of Native
Americans who once lived on its slope.
The activists argue that changing the mountain’s name is a matter of pride and respect
for Native Americans. George Vancouver, a British explorer, named the mountain
Rainier after a British naval officer who never stepped foot in North America and even
fought against America in the Revolutionary War. The activists say that since the
mountain had a name for thousands of years before Europeans changed it, they are
only asking to restore the mountain’s original name. However, there is a dispute about
what that name actually was. Some claim it was Tacoma (or Tahoma or Tacobeh),
whereas others argue this was a generic term for any snow-covered peak, not the
name of this particular mountain. Because of this confusion, activists chose Ti’Swaq to
honor the people who lived there.
This is not the first controversy over the mountain’s name. From 1883 to 1939, a battle
raged in Washington between those who wanted to change the name to Mount
Tacoma and those who preferred Rainier. A major city in the state is also named
Tacoma; unsurprisingly, its residents led the campaign to change the name. They
hoped that linking their city to the beautiful mountain would provide an economic
boost from tourism. They also argued, like activists today, that a Native American word
was more historically accurate than Rainier. But opponents said changing the name
in books, maps, and on signs would be needlessly expensive and confusing. They won,
and the mountain remained Mount Rainier.
The same argument holds true today. Now that Mount Rainier is a national park with
thousands of tourists each year, even more businesses are invested in keeping the
same name. Given that the proposed new name never was the historical name of the
mountain, it is unlikely Mount Rainier will be called something else anytime soon.
1. Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that when changing the
names of geographical places,
A. people will always decide to stick with tradition
B. many factors can influence people’s opinions
C. trying to right historical wrongs is a waste of time
D. respect for the original inhabitants is of primary concern
2. In paragraph 1, the author writes that Mount Rainier “appears on everything from
t-shirts to license plates.” This detail is relevant to the passage because
A. most people in the state love the mountain and want to keep its name the same
B. such a popular symbol is going to persist whether or not its name is changed
C. the mountain is more important as an image than it is as an actual place
D. all of these items would have to be changed if the name were changed
3. Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that the activists want to
change the mountain’s name to Ti’Swaq because of
I. a desire to honor the mountain’s history
II. their respect for Native Americans
III. hope for an economic boost from tourism
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III
4. As used in paragraph 2, the best ANTONYM for generic is
A. unusual
B. unique
C. modern
D. rejected
5. According to the passage, in 1883 people wanted to change the mountain’s name
to
A. Rainier
B. Tacoma
C. Tacobeh
D. Ti’Swaq
6. Those who support keeping the name Mount Rainier are mostly motivated by
A. practical concerns
B. historical accuracy
C. preserving tradition
D. respect for the British
7. Imagine a resident of Washington State says, “The way European explorers put their
names on things shows their disrespect towards the cultures already living here.”
Based on this statement, it can be understood that this resident most likely
A. supports keeping the name Mount Rainier
B. supports changing the name to Ti’Swaq
C. would not have supported changing the name to Tacoma
D. does not have an opinion about the name change
8. Do you believe that Mount Rainier should change names? Why or why not? [30 to
40 words]
Answers
Answer:
1. B
2.D
3.B
4.B
5.B
6.A
7.B
Explanation:
Dont know the writing part, but these are correct.
Answer:
1. B
2.D
3.B
4.B
5.B
6.A
7.B
Explanation:
Step 1: Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that when changing the names of geographical places many factors can influence people’s opinions.
Step 2: . In paragraph 1, the author writes that Mount Rainier “appears on everything from all of these items would have to be changed if the name were changed.
Step 3: Based on information in the passage, it can be understood that the activists want to change the mountain’s name to Ti’Swaq because of I and II only.
Step 4: As used in paragraph 2, the best ANTONYM for generic is unique.
Step 5:According to the passage, in 1883 people wanted to change the mountain’s name to Tacoma.
Step 6: Those who support keeping the name Mount Rainier are mostly motivated by practical concerns.
Step 7: Imagine a resident of Washington State says, “The way European explorers put their names on things shows their disrespect towards the cultures already living here.” Based on this statement, it can be understood that this resident most likely supports changing the name to Ti’Swaq.
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