EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• effort: hard work to achieve a result
• union: a group of workers that have come together to protect their own rights
• strike: a type of protest where people refuse to work
• negotiate: to try to come to an agreement about something
• advocate: to show support for something
• parade: a celebratory march

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

In many countries around the world, a celebration of workers’ takes place on May 1st. This is called May Day, and it recognizes the efforts of unions to improve the working conditions of the Industrial Revolution. During that time, many people worked ten or more every day, and their work environments involved high risks of and injury. Workers organized strikes to negotiate an eight-hour workday. The general strike that led to May Day actually took place in Chicago in 1886. However, the United States and Canada celebrate a different , called Labour Day, on the first Monday of September. This day originates from a union of Toronto print workers, who held parades and protests to advocate for labour rights. It became a holiday in both countries in 1894.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. May Day is celebrated
   a. only in the United States
   b. in Canada and the United States
   c. around the world
   
2. Workers on strike during the Industrial Revolution were mostly advocating for
   a. more national holidays
   b. an eight-hour workday
   c. more job opportunities
   
3. The general strike that inspired May Day took place in
   a. Chicago
   b. Toronto
   c. London

Discussion/essay questions

1. Many of the unions that inspired May Day and Labour Day were organizing illegally. Today, unions are protected by law in many places. What do people think about unions where you live? Why might a country make unions illegal?

Transcript

In many countries around the world, a celebration of workers’ rights takes place on May 1st. This is called May Day, and it recognizes the efforts of unions to improve the working conditions of the Industrial Revolution. During that time, many people worked ten or more hours every day, and their work environments involved high risks of disease and injury. Workers organized strikes to negotiate an eight-hour workday. The general strike that led to May Day actually took place in Chicago in 1886. However, the United States and Canada celebrate a different holiday, called Labour Day, on the first Monday of September. This day originates from a union of Toronto print workers, who held parades and protests to advocate for labour rights. It became a national holiday in both countries in 1894.

Answers to comprehension questions

1c 2b 3a

Pre-listening vocabulary

• industrial: relating to the production of items
• revolution: a change in political, social, or economic systems
• mass-produce: to use a machine to produce large amounts of something
• factory: a place where items are made using machines
• union: an organization of workers that try to gain better working conditions and pay
• child labour: the use of children as workers in a factory or business

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

The Industrial Revolution was a period of time when people began to use new to mass-produce items. It began in Europe in the 18th century, when new power sources like steam engines, electricity, and oil were becoming . The first country that started to industrialize was Britain, because they had the wealth that was necessary to build new . Soon, other European countries began to build machines too. This change caused a lot of people to start working in factories instead of on . However, some factories had very poor working conditions. Because of this, factory workers began to form unions so that they could protest against unfair treatment. This was when many countries decided to create to help protect workers. These new laws banned child labour, restricted working hours, and tried to make factories safer.

Comprehension questions

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Discussion/essay questions

1. Today, factories are everywhere. Mass production is the easiest way for companies to make and sell their products. However, factories can be very bad for the environment, because they pollute the air and contribute to climate change. How do you think factories can reduce the harm they cause to the environment?

Transcript

The Industrial Revolution was a period of time when people began to use new technology to mass-produce items. It began in Europe in the 18th century, when new power sources like steam engines, electricity, and oil were becoming common.  The first country that started to industrialize was Britain, because they had the wealth that was necessary to build new machines. Soon, other European countries began to build machines too. This change caused a lot of people to start working in factories instead of on farms. However, some factories had very poor working conditions. Because of this, factory workers began to form unions so that they could protest against unfair treatment. This was when many countries decided to create laws to help protect workers. These new laws banned child labour, restricted working hours, and tried to make factories safer.