Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
May Day or International Workers Day is observed on May 1 all over the world today to the historical and sacrifices of the working people to establish eight--hour workday. It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of the world.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US, the workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even more hours a day.
On May 1886, inspired by the trade half of the workers at the McCormic Harvsting Machine Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight--hour workday. Two days later workers' rally was held near the McCormic Harvesting Machine Company and about 6000 workers had joined it. The rally was addressed by the labour leaders. They urged the workers To stand together, to go on with their struggle and not to give in to their bosses. At one point of the rally, me strike breakers started leaving the meeting place. The strikers went down the street to bring them hack. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers. One striker was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many others were injured.
The events of May 1, 1886 are a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
(a) The working people struggled --
(i) as a protest against long working hours
(ii) to uplift their working environment
(iii) for a break during working hours
(iv) to form trade union
Answer: 1. (ii) to uplift their working environment
(b) The word 'rally used in the 3rd para of the 3rd line refers to --
(i) line
(ii) gathered
(iii) gathering
(iv) seminar
Answer: 1. (iii) gathering
(c) What is the purpose of the author of this passage?
(i) To portray the brutality and atrocity of the owners of the mills and factories
(ii) To state the short history of May Day b e and the significance of it
(iii) To highlight the violent roles of about 200 policemen .
(iv) To heighten the kind and sympathetic roles of some of strikebreakers
Answer: 1. (ii) To state the short history of May Day and the significance of it
(d) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'bosses used in the 4th I sentence of the 3rd para?
(i) friends
(ii) masters
(iii) colleagues
(iv) officer
Answer: .(ii) masters
(e) What does the expression 'Inspired by the trade union' in line 1 of para 3 mean?
(i) inspired by labour leaders
(ii) asked by the members of the union
(iii) inspired by the cabinet
(iv) inspired by trade and commence
Answer: 1. i) inspired by labour leaders
(f) Which of the following words describes the workers' movement to protect their demands?
(i) regression
(ii) remission
(iii) weakening
(iv) rally
Answer: 1. (iv) rally
(g) Which one of the following is not true?
(i) workers in mills and factories had to
work for a long time
(ii) working hours lasted for fourteen or even more hours
(iii) The workers of Europe went on strike
(iv) working class demanded an eight hour workday in
Answer: 1. (iii) The workers of Europe went on strike
Extra Questions :
(1) What does stand together mean in the passage?
(i) to be helpful
(ii) to be united
(iii) to help each other
(iv) to raise--hands together
Answer:(ii) to be united
(2) Which of the following best describes the workers during the Industrial Revolution?
(i) facilitated
(ii) privileged
(iii) deprived
iv) honorary
Answer:(iii) deprived
(3) By which of the following meaning of the word 'establish' be replaced?
(i) set up
(ii) initiate
(iii) achieve
(iv) introduce
Answer:(i) set up
(4) What was the result of Industrial Revolution In 18th and 19th century in Europe?
(i) Long working hours
(ii) Meager wages
(iii) Better pays
(iv) Financial flourishment
Answer:(i) Long working hours
(5) What does the expression, "Industrial Revolution" mean?
(i) demands of the labourers
(ii) nights of the labourers
(iii) revolution of the owners of the industries
(iv) expansion of mills and factories
Answer: (iv) expansion of mills and factories
(6) How many workers were killed by the police?
(i) two
(ii) one
(iii)five
(iv) many
Answer:(ii) one
(7) What do the events of May 1, 1886 remind us?
(i) efforts
(ii) struggle against exploitation
(iii))contribution
(iv) facilities
Answer:(ii) struggle against exploitation
(8) May Day is observed --
(i) all over the world
(ii) in few countries
(iii)in Bangladesh
(iv) in Europe
Answer: (i) all over the world
(9) Workers were on strike in
(1) Washington
(ii) New York ,
(iii) Florida
(iv) Chicago
Answer:(iv) Chicago
(10) Where is May Day observed today?
(i) In Chicago
(ii) In USA
(iii)In Europe
( iv) All over the world
Answer: (iv) All over the world
(11) The labour leaders also urged the workers not to
(i) go back home till demands were met
(ii) report to their working places
(iii)surrender to their bosses
(iv)fight against the authority
Answer: iii) surrender to their bosses
(12) What did some strikebreakers do?
(i) Started pelting stones to the leaders
( ii) Started leaving the meeting place
(iii )Started chanting slogan
(v) Started merry—making
Answer: (ii) Started leaving the meeting place
(13) Today May Day is considered as --
(i) a labour day
(ii) a public holiday
(iii) a funny day
(iv) an important day
Answer: (i) a labour day
(14)The word 'suddenly' could be replaced by –
(i) as a rule
(ii) on the whole
(iii) in a second
(iv) all on a sudden
Answer: (iv) all on a sudden
(15) The word exploit mentioned in the passage means --
(i) blackmail
(ii) trouble
(iii) entrap
(iv) usurp
Answer: (ii) trouble
(16) For strike the workers got the support of the
(i) common people
(ii) trade unions
(iii) company managers
(iv) local leaders
Answer: (ii) trade unions
(17) McCormic Harvester Company was situated in--
(i) Europe
(ii) America
(iii) Canada
(iv) The UK
Answer: (ii) America
(18) The policemen attacked --
(i) the rally
(ii) the strikers
(iii) common people
(iv) the labour leaders
Answer: (ii) the strikers
(19) May Day events have occurred in century,
(i) 17th
(ii) 18th
(iii) 19th
(iv) 20th
Answer: (iii) 19th
(20) The policemen attacked the strikers on --
(i) May lst
(ii) May 2nd
(iii) May 3rd
(iv) May 4th
Answer: (iii) May 3rd
(21) Clubs and revolvers were used upon --
(i) trade union leaders
(ii) policemen
(iii) strikers
(iv) strike—breakers
Answer: (6) (iii) strikers
(22) The workers' demand was to work time.
(i) sustain
(ii) assign
(iii) reduce
(iv) upgrade
Answer: (iii) reduce
(23) How many workers joined the rally?
(i) 6,000
(ii) more than 6000
(iii) 2003
(iv) about 6000
Answer:(iv) about 6000
(24) The word 'gain' can be replaced by
(i) accomplish
(ii) perform
(iii) obtain
(iv) claim
Answer:(iii) obtain
(25) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'observe'?
(i) notice
(ii) inform
(iii) convey
(iv) celebrate
Answer:(iv) celebrate
(26) The result of May Day — the working hour of the workers,
(i) increased
(ii) decreased
(iii) extended
(iv) elaborated
Answer:(ii) decreased
(27) Which of the following statement is true about May 1, 1886?
(i) It inspires the workers to stand together
(ii) It inspires the workers to work more
(iii) It inspires the workers to work hard
(iv) It inspires the workers to work long hours
Answer:(i) It inspires the workers to stand together
(28) The movement of May Day was for — of people.
(i) elite class
(ii) working class
(iii) aristocratic class
(iv) dissolvable class
Answer:(ii) working class
(29)The labour leaders inspired the worker's not
to — to their bosses.
(i)give something
(ii) hit their bosses
(iii) start protesting
(iv) surrender
Answer: (iv) surrender
(30) The day reminds the historic — of working people.
(i) war
(ii) struggle
(iii) fight
(iv) clash
Answer:(ii) struggle
(31) The objective of May Day was to establish -- work day.
(i) a six--hour
(ii) an eight--hour
(iii) an eighteen--hour
(iv) a seven—hour
Answer:(ii) an eight-hour
(32) What do you understand by trade union?
(i) an organization of traders to it
(ii) an association of workers
(iii) an organization of factory owners
(iv) an organization of workers
Answer:(iv) an organization of workers
(33) The events of May 1, 1886 18 a -- for the 1 1401 workers.
(i) trouble
(ii) destruction
(iii) recognition
(iv) warning
Answer:(iii) recognition
(34) Since the Industrial Revolution workers had an off period only for a day.
(i) 8 hours or more
(ii) 14 hours or more
(iii)9 hours or less
(iv) 10 hours or less
Answer: (iv) 10 hours or less
(35) The working people struggled --
(i) as a protest against long working hours
(ii) to uplift their working environment
(iii) for a break during working hours
(iv) to form trade union
Answer:(ii) to uplift their working environment
(36) Working people struggled and sacrificed for
(i) better salary
(ii) expected working time
(iii)better life
(iv) better working condition
Answer:(ii) expected working time
(37) To stop exploitation workers should not ----
(i) express their opinion in public
(ii) rule out any unfair condition by their bosses
(iii) speak meekly
(iv) think of their privilege
Answer:(iii) speak meekly
(38) "And not to give in to their bosses what does 'give in' means here?
(i) dominate
(ii) refuse
(iii) agree to continue struggling
(iv) agree to stop struggling
Answer:(iv) agree to stop strugglin
(39) May Day signifies —
(i) the rights of working class people
(ii) the importance of a day's holiday
(iii) the inspiration of hardworking people
(iv) none of them
Answer: i) the rights of working class people
(40) What is the synonym of 'Inspire' ?
(i) fight
(ii) struggle
(iii) motivate
(iv) strike
Answer:(iii) motivate
(41) The labour leaders — the workers.
(i) dissuaded
(ii) solicited ,
(iii) exploited
(iv ) eulogized
Answer: (ii) solicited
(42) Workers got together in a rally near the McCormic Harvester Company on -- in 1886.
(i) 2 May
(ii) 1 May
(iii)3 May
(iv) 4 May
Answer: (iii) 3 May
(43) What is the noun form of the verb 'observe' from the first sentence's context of this passage
(i) observation
(ii) observance
(iii) observance
(iv) observability
Answer: (iii) observance
(44) The workers in mills and factories had to work for a long shift – the Industrial Revolution.
(i) from
(ii) after
(iii)before
(iv) during
Answer:(iv) during
(45) International Workers Day is observed to --
(i) show respect to the workers
(ii) remember the sacrifice of the workers
(iii) encourage the workers
(iv) evaluate the workers
Answer: (i) show respect to the workers
(46) The word 'commemorate stands for --
(i) a unity among people
(ii) loyalty towards authority
(iii) the struggle for movement
(iv) honour the memory of an event
Answer:(iv) honour the memory of an event
(47) What was the prime demand of the workers?
(i) better working condition a t
(ii) eight--hour work day
(iii) yearly payment
(iv) smart pay
Answer: (ii) eight-hour work day
(48) What is the message of the passage?
(i) To describe the historical struggle of the working people
(ii) To depict the effects of Industrial or Revolution on working people
(iii) The working people will be oppressed unless they protest and demand their rights unitedly.
(iv) The role of the leaders of the trade union
Answer: (iii) The working people will be oppressed unless they protest and demand their rights unitedly
(49) If the workers do not stand united in realizing their demand, they may still be
(i) oppressed
(ii) benefited
(iii) venerated
(iv) appreciated .
Answer: (i) oppressed
(50) It was a struggle organized by the workers to
settle for —
(i)eight hours workday
(ii) round the clock workday
(iii) freedom to work
(iv) minimum service
Answer: (i) eight hours workday
Short Answer Questions
2. Answer the following questions.
(a) Why is May Day observed all over the world?
Answer: May Day or International Workers' Day is observed to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight hour work day.
(b) What did the labour leaders ask the workers to do?
Answer: The labour leaders asked the workers to stand together, to go on with their movement and not to surrender to their bosses or compromise in their demand for eight hours workday.
(c) What were the causes that led to the struggle?
Answer: The labourers wanted to get their rightful wage and reduce the working hour to eight hours instead of long working hours that led to their struggle with the employers.
(d) What happened on 1st May, 1886? What did the workers want?
Answer: On 1st May, 1886, the workers of the Me Cormic Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight hour work day. The workers of other company also joined the strike. The police attacked the strikers and many workers died as a result.
(e) What activities did the workers of McCormic Harvester Company do against the authorities?
Answer:The workers went on a strike demanding an eight-hour workday. They held a rally which was addressed by the leaders of the trade unions.
Extra Questions :
(1) What lesson do you get from the events of 1st May 1886?
Answer: It gives us a great lesson and a reminder as well that until the workers stand up unitedly , speak out to gain better working condition, better pay and better lives, exploitation of them will be continuing.
(2) How can the workers achieve their rights?
Answer: The workers can achieve their rights only when they stand up unitedly and speak out to gain it.
(3) What is Industrial Revolution?
Answer: The rapid growth of industries in Europe and America in the 18th and 19th century is called Industrial Revolution.
(4) Why did the workers in Chicago go on a strike?
Answer: The workers in Chicago went on a strike demanding an eight hour workday..
(5) When and where did police fire into a crowd?
Answer: On 3rd May, 1886 a workers' rally was held near the Mc Cormic Harvester Company in Chicago. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers.
(6) Since when had the workers in mills and factories been working a long shift?
Answer: The workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the USA.
(7) Whom did the trade union inspire? What did they do after being inspired? Describe in short.
Answer: The trade unions inspired the workers of mills and factories. After being inspired half of the workers at the Mc Cormic Harvester Company in Chicago went on a strike demanding an 8 hour workday. A workers rally was held near the Mc Cormic Harvester Company two days later. About 6000 workers joined the rally.
(8) What does the event of May Day remind us?
Answer: The events of May Day remind us that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
(9) Do you support the idea that May Day is an inspiration for the workers across the world? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Yes, I do support the idea that May Day is an inspiration for the workers across the world. Today workers, irrespective of their countries know their rights as well as responsibilities well due to the incident of May Day. They are inspired by the incident of May Day
(10) What is the consequence of May Day?
Answer: The consequence of May Day is that the workers of the world are now have to work eight hours a day and now they know that they have to speak out to gain their rights and better lives.
(11) How long did the workers have to work a day before May 1, 1886? ;
Answer: Before May 1, 1886, the workers of mills and factories had to work long shifts, fourteen or even more hours a day.
(12) What was the role of trade unions?
Answer: The trade unions inspired and persuaded the workers to demand eight-hour work day.
(13) Why did the workers start protesting?
Answer:The workers started protesting to meet their demand of eight-hour work day including better pay and better lives.
(14) Do you support the idea that the events on May 1, 1886 will act as a reminder to the workers of their exploitation? Explain.
Answer: Yes, I support the idea. The events of May 1,1886 will definitely act as a reminder to the workers that they will be exploited unless and until they stand up unitedly for better wages, better working conditions and better lives etc
(15) When and where did Industrial Revolution take place?
Answer:Industrial Revolution took place in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US.
(16) Describe in brief how the policemen attacked the workers and the effect of the attack.
Answer: The policemen attacked the workers with clubs and revolvers. As a result, one striker was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many of them were badly injured.
(17) What have the workers learnt from the events of May 1st, 1886?
Answer: The workers have learnt from the events of May 1st, 1886 to stand together and speak out
(18) What should the workers learn from the events of May Day?
Answer: From the events of May Day the workers should learn that they will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
(19) What were effects of Industrial Revolution on the working people?
Answer: The effects of Industrial Revolution on the working people was horrific as they had to work long shifts, 14 or even more hours a day.
(20) Who addressed the rally? What did they urge?
Answer: The labour leaders addressed the rally. They urged the workers to stand together, to go on with their struggle and not to yield to their bosses.
(21) Do you support the attitude. "Workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives?" Why/Why not? Explain in 2/3 sentences.
Answer: Yes, I support the attitude. People work hard but they do not get proper wages. They have to face various types of problems in their workplace. If they do not stand up and speak out against them, it will be continued
(22) What does May Day commemorate?
Answer: May Day commemorates the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people who wanted to establish an eight-hour workday
(23) What did the workers want by struggling against the authority?
Answer: The workers wanted to establish an eight hour workday by struggling against the authority.
(24) Why is the event of May 1, 1886 a reminder for the workers?
Answer: On May 1st people all over the world observe the day as International Workers Day. 30 People remember the struggle and sacrifice of the working people that happened on May 1st, 1886. That's why, the event of May 1, 1886 is a reminder for the workers.
Bangla Translation
৮ ঘণ্টা কর্মদিবস প্রতিষ্ঠার জন্য শ্রমজীবী মানুষের ঐতিহাসিক ও আত্মত্যাগের স্মরণে আজ ১ মে বিশ্বজুড়ে মে দিবস বা আন্তর্জাতিক শ্রমিক দিবস পালিত হয়। বিশ্বের প্রায় সব দেশেই এটি একটি সরকারি ছুটির দিন। ১৮শ ও ১৯শ শতাব্দীতে ইউরোপ ও আমেরিকায় শিল্প বিপ্লবের পর থেকে, মিল ও কারখানার শ্রমিকরা দীর্ঘ শিফটে কাজ করে আসছিল, দিনে চৌদ্দ ঘন্টা বা তারও বেশি সময়। ১৮৮৬ সালের মে মাসে শিকাগোর ম্যাককর্মিক হার্ভস্টিং মেশিন কোম্পানির শ্রমিকদের অর্ধেক শ্রমিক আট ঘণ্টা কর্মদিবসের দাবিতে ধর্মঘটে অংশ নেয়। দুই দিন পর ম্যাককর্মিক হার্ভেস্টিং মেশিন কোম্পানির কাছে শ্রমিক সমাবেশ অনুষ্ঠিত হয় এবং প্রায় ৬০০০ শ্রমিক এতে যোগ দেন। সমাবেশে শ্রমিক নেতারা বক্তব্য রাখেন। তারা শ্রমিকদের একত্রিত হওয়ার, তাদের সংগ্রাম চালিয়ে যাওয়ার এবং তাদের মনিবদের কাছে নতি স্বীকার না করার আহ্বান জানান। সমাবেশের এক পর্যায়ে, ধর্মঘট ভঙ্গকারীরা সভাস্থল ছেড়ে চলে যেতে শুরু করে। ধর্মঘটকারীরা তাদের হস্তক্ষেপ করতে রাস্তায় নেমে আসে। হঠাৎ করে প্রায় ২০০ পুলিশ লাঠি ও রিভলবার নিয়ে তাদের উপর আক্রমণ চালায়। এতে একজন ধর্মঘটী তাৎক্ষণিকভাবে নিহত হন, আরও পাঁচ-ছয়জন গুরুতর আহত হন এবং আরও অনেকে আহত হন। ১৮৮৬ সালের ১ মে-এর ঘটনা আমাদের মনে করিয়ে দেয় যে শ্রমিকরা যতক্ষণ না উঠে দাঁড়ায় এবং উন্নত কর্মপরিবেশ, উন্নত বেতন এবং উন্নত জীবন লাভের জন্য কথা না বলে, ততক্ষণ পর্যন্ত তাদের উপর শোষণ অব্যাহত থাকবে।
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Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
May Day or International Workers Day is observed on May 1 all over the world today to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight-hour workday. It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of the world.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US, the workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even more hours a day.
On May 1st in 1886, inspired by the trade unions, half of the workers at the McCormic Harvester Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday. Two days later, a workers’ rally was held near the McCormic Hervester Company and about 6000 workers had joined it. The rally was addressed by the labour leaders. They urged the workers to stand together, to go on with their struggle and not to give in to their bosses. Just at this moment some strikebreakers started leaving the meeting place. The strikers went down the street to bring them back. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers. One striker was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many of them were badly injured.
The events of May 1, 1886 is a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
a) International Workers Day is observed on ―.
(i) May 10 (ii) May 01 (iii) June 26 (iv) July 25
b) The objective of May Day was to establish ― workday.
(i) a six-hour (ii) an eight-hour (iii) an eighteen-hour (iv) a seven-hour
c) The workers had been working 14 or even more hours a day since ― Revolution.
(i) Green (ii) French (iii) Industrial (iv) European
d) The events of ― was a reminder.
(i) May 1, 1886 (ii) May 1, 1868 (iii) June 1, 1886 (iv) June 1, 1868
e) The ― were working fourteen or even more bours a day.
(i) students (ii) farmers (iii) doctors (iv) workers
f) About ― workers joined the rally.
(i) 600 (ii) 6000 (iii) 1600 (iv) 160
g) The rally was addressed by the ―.
(i) labourers (ii) political leaders (iii) labour leaders (iv) public leaders
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) What lesson do you get from the events of 1st May 1886?
b) Why is May Day observed today?
c) How many workers were killed and injured?
d) What was the demand of the workers?
e) How long did the working people have to work since industrial revolution?
Answer:
1. a (ii) May 01; b. (ii) an eight-hour; c. (ii) Industrial; d. (i) May 1, 1886; e. (iv) workers; f. (ii) 6000; g. (iii) labour leaders; h. (i) bosses; i. (iv) 200policemen; j. (iv) none of them; k. (i) motivate; l. (iv) surrender; m. (iii) adverb; n. (iv) club and revolver.
2. a. We get lesson from the events of 1 st May 1886 that workers all over the world should be united for their better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
b. Today May Day is observed to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight hour workday.
c. Many workers were victimized for taking part in the strike. One striker was killed, five or six were wounded and many of the workers were badly injured.
d. Eight hour workday was the demand of the workers.
e. The working people had to work fourteen or even more hours a day since industrial revolution.
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