May 1 is International Workers’ Day. On this day, people in many countries around the world celebrate workers’ achievements and march(游行) in the streets asking for fair pay and better working conditions.

_________

International Workers’ Day is a celebration of working people and a day when people fight for good work and fair pay. Thanks to action taken by workers over many years, millions of people have won fundamental rights and protections. Minimum wages(最低工资) have been set, there are limits on working hours, and people have the right to paid holidays and sick pay.

However, in recent years, working conditions in many situations have got worse. Since the global financial crisis(全球金融危机) of 2008, part-time, short-term and badly paid work has become more common, and state pensions(养老金) are at risk. We have also seen the rise of the “gig economy”, where companies (公司) hire workers casually for one short job at a time. These workers don’t have the usual rights to paid holidays, the minimum wage. Solidarity(团结) with other workers is as important as ever.

How is Workers’ Day celebrated now? 

Celebrations and protests take place in different ways in different countries around the world. May 1 is a public holiday in countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and China. In many countries, including France, Greece, Japan, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, there are marches on International Workers’ Day. People in America and Canada also celebrate Workers’ Day, though they celebrate it in September.

It is a day for working people to have a rest. It is a chance to fight for workers’ rights, show solidarity with other working people and celebrate the achievements of workers all over the world.

本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写，未经书面授权，禁止复制和任何商业用途，版权所有，侵权必究！（作者投稿及时文阅读定制请联系微信：18980471698）

1.Many people march in the streets on May 1 _________.

A to improve living conditions

B to fight for their rights

C to get higher pay

D to get better jobs

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段“...march in the streets asking for fair pay and better working conditions”可知人们在街上示威游行是为了要求薪资公平和更好的工作条件，即维护他们的权利。故选B。

2.Which of the following can be put in the blank?

A The history of International Workers’ Day

B What do people usually do on Workers’ Day?

C Why do we need International Workers’ Day?

D In which country do people celebrate Workers’ Day?

解析：选C。C 段落大意题。根据第二、三段可知，该小标题下面主要讲述的是国际劳动节本来是劳动人民争取权利的日子，但近年来却有很多劳动者的权利没有得到保障，由此可知这两段意在说明国际劳动节存在的必要性。故选C。

3.All the following have become worse EXCEPT _________.

A the minimum wage

B the working time

C paid holidays

D solidarity among workers

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第三段可知，兼职、短期工属于工作时间未得到保障；零工经济的工人带薪假期和最低工资没有得到保障。文中并未提及“工人之间的团结”变得更糟。故选D。

4.Which country celebrates Workers’ Day differently?

A France.

B Canada.

C China.

D Japan.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据倒数第二段“People in America and Canada also celebrate Workers’ Day, though they celebrate it in September.”可知美国和加拿大也庆祝劳动节，不过他们的劳动节是在9月。故选B。

5.In which part of a newspaper can you read this passage?

A Health.

B Education.

C Culture.

D Travel.

解析：选C。C 文章出处题。根据全文可知，文章围绕国际五一劳动节展开，属于节日介绍，能够在“文化”版块看到。故选C。