May Day or International Workers' Day is observed on May I 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 McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday. Two days later, a workers rally was held near the McCormick Harvester Machine 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. At one point of the rally, some strike breakers 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 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.

1. Choose the best answer from alternatives.
(a) Where is May Day observed today?
(i) In Asia (ii) In the USA (iii) In Europe (iv) All over the world
(b) The policemen attacked the strikers on
(i) May 1, 1886 (ii) May 2, 1886 (iii) May 3, 1886 (iv) May 4, 1886
(c) Who followed the call of trade unions?
(i) Farmers (ii) Workers (iii) Owners (iv) Strikers
(d) Who used the clubs and revolvers?
(i) Workers (ii) Strikers (iii) Owners of the factory (iv) Policemen
(e) May Day events occurred in __________ century.
(i) 18th (ii) 19th (iii) 20th (iv) 21st
(f) The word 'Commemorate' means
(i) forget an event (ii) observe an event (iii) remember an event (iv) honour an event
(g) Which of the following best describes the workers before May 1st, 1886?
(i) deprived (ii) benefited (iii) honoured (iv) privileged

উত্তর

(a) (iv) All over the world
(b) (iii) May 3, 1886
(c) (ii) Workers
(d) (iv) Policemen
(e) (ii) 19th
(f) (iii) remember an event
(g) (i) deprived

May Day or International Workers' Day is observed on May I 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 McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday. Two days later, a workers rally was held near the McCormick Harvester Machine 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. At one point of the rally, some strike breakers 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 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.

2. Answer the following questions.
(a) What did the workers struggle for?
(b) Why is May Day observed now?
(c) Who addressed the rally and when?
(d) What have the workers learnt from the events of May 01?
(e) How did the policemen behave with workers during their protest?

উত্তর

(a) The workers struggled to establish an eight-hour workday and better working conditions.

(b) May Day is observed now to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people.

(c) The labour leaders addressed the rally on May 3, 1886.

(d) The workers have learnt from the events of May 1 that they must stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.

(e) During the protest, the policemen attacked the workers with clubs and revolvers, killing one striker and injuring many others.

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.
Air is the most important element of human environment. Man cannot (a)__________ a single moment without air. But (b)__________ do not think that it is (c)__________ who pollute this most vital element. (d)__________ the prevention of air pollution we (e)__________ avoid the use of vehicles older than 20 years.

উত্তর

(a) live
(b) we
(c) we
(d) For
(e) should

The great men were born in different places of this world but their activities make them familiar and closer to us. Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah was one of them who contributed a lot towards Bangla language and literature. He was the greatest scholar of Bengal. This great scholar was born on July 10, 1885 at 24 Pargonas in West Bengal, India. He passed his Entrance examination in 1904 and obtained his B.A degree six years later. It took him two years to complete his M.A and another two years for his Bachelor of Law Degree. He later joined the University of Dhaka in 1921 as a Professor of Sanskrit and Bengali. He was awarded the Doctorate Degree from Sorbonne University, Paris in 1928. 'Bangla Shahitter Katha' the first well-arranged history of Bengali literature was composed by him and it was published in 1953. This great scholar remained busy with his work till he became seriously ill in 1967 and was confined to bed for about two and a half years. He breathed his last on July 13, 1969 in Dhaka. We remember him with great respect and gratitude.

4.

Complete the table below with information from the passage.
About Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah

Who/What	Event/Activities	Time/When	Place/Where
Dr. Muhammed	(i) __________	in 1904
He	(ii)__________	in 1912
He	joined as Professor	in 1921	(iii)__________
He	was awarded the Doctorate Degree	in 1928	(iv) __________
(v) __________	was published	in 1953

উত্তর

No.	Answer
(i)	passed his Entrance examination
(ii)	completed his M.A. degree
(iii)	the University of Dhaka
(iv)	Sorbonne University, Paris
(v)	Bangla Shahitter Katha

Dhaka Board 2025

Unlock Dhaka Board 2025