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G8 Reading Passage

A Big Strike in the Hotel Industry

Recently, more than 10,000 hotel workers went on strike to demand better working conditions. These workers are employed by some of the biggest hotel companies in the world. They have decided to stop working because they want fair wages and better treatment. Many of the workers feel that their jobs are difficult, and they do not get paid enough for the hard work they do.

The workers are asking for higher pay, especially because the cost of living has gone up. Many of them are also asking for more breaks and better health benefits. The strike has affected a lot of hotels, and guests are noticing changes in service. Some hotels have had to close certain areas or reduce services, like cleaning and room service.

This strike is one of the largest in the hotel industry in recent years. It shows that many people feel strongly about the need for better pay and fair treatment. The hotel companies are currently talking to the workers and their representatives to find a solution. Everyone hopes that they will reach an agreement soon.

Vocabulary List with Explanations (G8)

1. Strike: When workers stop working to get better pay or conditions. Example: "The workers went on strike to ask for higher wages."
2. Demand: To ask for something strongly. Example: "They demand better working conditions."
3. Hotel: A place where people pay to stay overnight. Example: "We stayed at a hotel during our vacation."
4. Wage: The money people are paid for their work. Example: "The workers want higher wages."
5. Service: Help or work done for others. Example: "The hotel offers room service for guests."
6. Fair: Treating everyone equally. Example: "They want fair treatment at work."
7. Benefit: Extra help or services from an employer, like health insurance. Example: "The workers want better health benefits."
8. Condition: The way something is or the way someone is treated. Example: "Their working conditions are not very good."
9. Cost of Living: The amount of money needed for basic things like food and housing. Example: "The cost of living has increased, so they need higher wages."
10. Agreement: A deal or understanding between two sides. Example: "The workers hope to reach an agreement with the hotel companies."

Grammar Focus

• Present Continuous: Used to talk about actions happening right now. Example: "The workers are asking for better pay."
• Simple Past: Used to describe completed actions in the past. Example: "The workers went on strike last week."

Synonym Match (G8)

Phrase Match (G8)

Gap Fill (G8)

The hotel workers decided to go on _____________(1) to ask for better pay and working _____________(2). Many workers feel that their jobs are _____________(3), and they do not get paid enough. The workers hope to reach an _____________(4) with the hotel companies soon.

Answers: (1) strike, (2) conditions, (3) difficult, (4) agreement.

G11 Reading Passage

The Hotel Workers' Strike: A Fight for Fair Pay

In recent weeks, over 10,000 hotel workers have gone on strike, making it one of the largest labor actions in the hospitality industry in recent years. The workers, employed by some of the biggest hotel chains in the world, are demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and additional benefits such as health care and paid time off. These demands come in response to the rising cost of living, which has made it difficult for many workers to support themselves and their families.

Many of the striking workers hold positions such as housekeepers, maintenance staff, and front desk employees. They argue that, despite the demanding nature of their jobs, their wages have not kept pace with inflation or the increased workload. In addition to higher pay, the workers are calling for shorter shifts and more frequent breaks, citing physical and emotional exhaustion from their work.

The strike has already impacted hotel operations. Some hotels have been forced to reduce services, such as housekeeping and room service, while others have experienced delays in check-ins and other services. This has led to some frustration among guests, but the workers are hoping that the public will understand their situation and support their cause.

The hotel companies involved are currently in negotiations with the workers' unions, and both sides are hoping to reach an agreement soon. However, the outcome remains uncertain, and many are watching closely to see how this large-scale labor action will shape the future of the hotel industry.

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Vocabulary List with Explanations (G11)

1. Strike: A situation where workers refuse to work to force employers to meet their demands. Example: "The strike disrupted services at major hotels."
2. Labor Action: An organized protest by workers, usually involving a strike. Example: "The labor action involved more than 10,000 workers."
3. Hospitality Industry: Businesses that provide services like food, accommodation, and entertainment. Example: "The hospitality industry has been affected by the strike."
4. Demanding: Requiring a lot of effort and energy. Example: "The job of a housekeeper is physically demanding."
5. Inflation: The general increase in prices over time, making goods more expensive. Example: "Inflation has reduced the purchasing power of workers."
6. Workload: The amount of work a person is expected to do. Example: "The increased workload has left many workers exhausted."
7. Negotiate: To discuss something in order to reach an agreement. Example: "The workers are negotiating with their employers for better wages."
8. Union: An organization that represents workers and fights for their rights. Example: "The union is leading the strike for better conditions."
9. Exhaustion: Extreme tiredness caused by overwork or stress. Example: "Many workers are suffering from physical exhaustion."
10. Benefits: Extra advantages provided by employers, such as health insurance. Example: "Workers are asking for more benefits, like paid time off."

Grammar Focus

• Present Perfect: Used to describe actions that have happened at an unspecified time or are still relevant. Example: "The strike has impacted many hotels."
• Passive Voice: Used to focus on the action rather than the doer. Example: "Services have been reduced due to the strike."

Synonym Match (G11)

Phrase Match (G11)

Gap Fill (G11)

Over _____________(1) hotel workers have gone on strike, demanding better pay and working conditions. The strike has caused many hotels to _____________(2) services like housekeeping and room service. Workers argue that their _____________(3) has not kept up with inflation, and they are asking for _____________(4) benefits and shorter shifts.

Answers: (1) 10,000, (2) reduce, (3) pay, (4) additional.

University-Level Reading Passage

The Impact of the Hotel Workers' Strike: A Critical Examination

Recently, the hospitality industry has been significantly disrupted by a large-scale strike involving over 10,000 hotel workers from major international chains. This labor action, one of the most prominent in recent years, has drawn attention to the often-overlooked struggles of low-wage employees in the service sector. The workers, many of whom hold positions in housekeeping, maintenance, and guest services, are demanding not only fair wages but also better working conditions, including more reasonable shifts, health care benefits, and paid time off.

At the heart of this strike lies the growing disparity between the cost of living and the wages earned by workers in this sector. As inflation rates have risen globally, the purchasing power of these workers has diminished, leaving many of them struggling to make ends meet despite working full-time or even overtime. The physical demands of their roles exacerbate this issue, with many workers reporting exhaustion from long hours of labor-intensive tasks such as cleaning and maintaining large hotel facilities. The combination of low pay and high workload has fueled growing dissatisfaction, culminating in this massive strike.

The consequences of the strike have been felt across the hospitality industry. Many hotels have had to cut back on essential services such as housekeeping and room service, leaving guests with a diminished experience. Check-in times have been delayed, and certain amenities have been temporarily suspended. While some guests have expressed frustration, others have shown solidarity with the workers, recognizing the need for improved labor practices in an industry that relies heavily on its workforce.

The hotel companies involved are currently negotiating with the workers' unions, but reaching an agreement is proving to be a complex process. The companies argue that the pandemic severely impacted their revenue streams, making it difficult to meet the workers' demands without further financial strain. However, the unions contend that even during periods of economic recovery, the workers have not seen any significant improvements in their pay or working conditions, further justifying their decision to strike.

This strike reflects broader global trends concerning labor rights, income inequality, and the future of the service industry. As the world continues to grapple with economic challenges, including inflation and the shifting nature of work, strikes like this one may become more common. The outcome of this labor action will likely set a precedent for similar industries, signaling whether workers in the service sector can achieve more equitable conditions in the face of corporate resistance.

Vocabulary List with Explanations (University)

1. Disparity: A significant difference or inequality. Example: "The disparity between their wages and the cost of living has sparked the strike."
2. Purchasing Power: The ability to buy goods and services with a given amount of money. Example: "Rising inflation has eroded the workers' purchasing power."
3. Labor-Intensive: Requiring a large amount of physical work. Example: "Housekeeping is a labor-intensive job."
4. Dissatisfaction: The state of being unhappy or discontent. Example: "Worker dissatisfaction led to the strike."
5. Solidarity: Unity or agreement of feeling among individuals with a common interest. Example: "Many guests showed solidarity with the striking workers."
6. Negotiate: To discuss terms in order to reach an agreement. Example: "The workers' unions are negotiating with the hotel chains."
7. Revenue Stream: The income generated from business activities. Example: "The hotel chains claim that their revenue streams were affected by the pandemic."
8. Income Inequality: The unequal distribution of income across a population. Example: "Income inequality has become a major issue in many industries."
9. Equitable: Fair and impartial. Example: "The workers are fighting for more equitable working conditions."
10. Corporate Resistance: The opposition from companies to changes that may affect their profits. Example: "The unions are facing corporate resistance to their demands."

Grammar Focus

• Present Perfect Continuous: Used to describe actions that started in the past and are still continuing. Example: "The workers have been negotiating for better pay for weeks."
• Subjunctive Mood: Used to express hypothetical situations or wishes. Example: "If the strike were to continue, the industry could face further disruptions."

Synonym Match (University)

Phrase Match (University)

Gap Fill (University)

The _____________(1) between the workers' pay and the rising cost of living has led to widespread dissatisfaction. Many workers, employed in _____________(2) roles such as housekeeping, are demanding better wages and working conditions. The strike has resulted in reduced _____________(3) at many hotels, with services such as room cleaning and check-in times being affected. As the workers' unions continue to _____________(4) with the hotel chains, it remains to be seen whether an agreement will be reached.

Answers: (1) disparity, (2) labor-intensive, (3) services, (4) negotiate.

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