Unit-4: Events and Festivals
Lesson-2: May Day
(গত ২৪ ডিসেম্বর প্রকাশের পর)
2. Read the passage again. Now, answer the following questions in your own words. 2x5=10
(a) What does May Day commemorate?
(b) What were the causes that led to the struggle?
(c) Who addressed the rally? What did some strikebreakers do?
(d) What do the workers learn from the events of May 1, 1886? Do you agree with them?
(e) Do you support the idea that May Day is an inspiration for the workers across the world? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text. 1x5=5
May Day is a red-letter day in the (a)------- of the working class people all over the world. This day reminds (b)--------of the valiant struggle of the workers with a view to fulfilling their rightful demands. On this day in 1886, the workers went on (c)----- demanding an eight-hour workday. As a part of their (d)------ , they also brought out a rally. At one point, police fell upon the strikers and attacked them with clubs and revolvers. As a result, one striker was mercilessly (e)----- and many others were injured badly. Now the day is observed worldwide.
Answer: 2. a) May Day commemorates the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight hour workday.
b) The workers were deprived of their basic rights. Right from the Industrial Revolution, the workers had to work for a long shift, fourteen or even more hours a day that led to the struggle.
c) The leaders of trade union addressed the rally. Some strikebreakers started leaving the meeting place.
d) From the events of May 1, 1886, the workers 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.
Yes, I do agree with them because nothing is achieved without struggle.
(e) Yes, I support the idea, because the events of May day have shown the workers of the world how due rights of better working conditions, better pay and better lives are gained. The workers will have to stand up and speak out for their rights. Otherwise, they will be ever exploited.
3. a. history, b. us/people, c. strike, d. strike, e. killed.
লেখক : সিনিয়র শিক্ষক, ইংরেজি
লেক সার্কাস গার্লস হাই স্কুল, কলাবাগান, ঢাকা
কবীর