Comprehension- February 15, 2021

Key Words 

historic

honourable

prime minister

decade

governed

politics 

applause

May 25, 2018 was a historic moment in Barbadian history. The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley became Barbados' eighth and first female Prime Minister. 

Mia Mottley’s victory in these elections returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power on the island of approximately 285,000 people for the first time in a decade. Prior to this victory, Barbados was governed by the Democratic Labour Party under the leadership of Freundel Stuart. 

A humble Mottley thanked Barbados for the historic win, which became clear just after midnight on May 25th. “There should be no time for boasting. We are all one people. We are Barbadians,” she said to loud applause. “We will need many hands to help make light work. We will rebuild Barbados together!”

Mia Mottley is no stranger to politics. She first entered Barbadian politics back in 1991, when she ran against Leroy Brathwaite, but she lost by less than 200 votes. “Mia”, as many Barbadians call her, also comes from a political family. Her father, grandfather and uncle were all part of the Barbadian political scene many years ago. It is even rumoured that the former Queen’s College student once told a teacher that she would one day be the island’s first female leader. 

1. Why was May 24th, 2018 considered a historic date in Barbadian history?

2. Prior to 2018, in what year was the BLP last in power?

3. Why is the word “approximately” used to describe the population of Barbados in paragraph 2?

4. In paragraph 3, what promise did Mia Mottley make to Barbadians?

5. “Mia Mottley is no stranger to politics.” What does this sentence mean?

6. What part of speech is “political” as used in paragraph 4?

7. What word can be used to replace “governed” (paragraph 2)?

8. In what year did Mia Mottley first enter Barbadian politics?