May Day or International Workers Day is observed on May 1

Read the following text and answer the questions 1-2.

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 18^th and 19^th 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 1^st 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 Harvester Company and about 6000 workers 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 correct answer from the alternatives.       1´7=7

(a)   The word 'commemorate' means¾

        (i) chew                                  (ii) remember

        (iii) ruminate                         (iv) reminisce

(b)   May day signifies¾

        (i) the rights of working class people

        (ii) the assurance of a day's holiday

        (iii) the inspiration of hardworking people

        (iv) none of them

(c)   What is the synonym of 'inspire'?

        (i) fight                                   (ii) struggle

        (iii) motivate                         (iv) strike

(d)   The day reminds the historic ¾ of working people.

        (i) war                                     (ii) struggle

        (iii) fight                                 (iv) clash

(e)   The objective of May Day was to establish ¾ work day.

        (i) a six-hour                         (ii) an eight-hour

        (iii) an eighteen-hour           (iv) a seven-hour

(f)    What do you understand by trade union?

        (i) an organization of traders

        (ii) an association of workers

        (iii) an organization of factory owners

        (iv) an organization of workers

(g)   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

2.     Answer the following questions.                     2´5=10

(a)   What is May Day observed for?

(b)   Who inspired the workers?

(c)   What were the causes that led to the struggle?

(d)   What lesson do you get from the events of May 1st 1886?

(e)   What is the consequence of May Day?