Lab Assignment #5

This must be handed in by Monday, Oct. 8:

1. Read this article on the Internet: (click on link)

“GM Ends Strike, Tries Health Plan”

Use the vocabulary helps below to help you get started.

2. Write a paragraph summary of at least 6 sentences in your own words to tell what the article is about. Notice the date of the article. This happened last week.

3. Add at least 5 more words from the article to the vocabulary list with the English meanings you determined from context, if possible, or from the dictionary.

Vocabulary helps: (Put these in your vocabulary notebook)

strike – act of stopping work for a period of time to force the employer to improve salaries, working conditions, etc. Usually this is organized by a group or labor union.

labor union – an association of workers organized to defend their interests. United Auto Workers (UAW) is a union for workers in the auto industry.

pickets – persons posted by a labor union at the place of work where employees are on strike; picket is also the verb describing the action of the pickets: walking or standing, usually with signs (See photo when you click on the link that says: the ostensible reason for the strike.)

ostensible – apparent (what is visible or evident or seems to be)

ratify – to approve officially

rank and file – the members of a group (not including the leaders) In this case the workers who are members of the union

skepticism – doubt or a doubting state of mind

walkout – a labor strike

convened – called, caused to come together for a meeting, etc.

launched – started, began

hailed – praised, said good things about something

bargaining – discussion between two parties with opposing viewpoints or interests (in this case between management and labor) in order to determine give and take (what each side should give up and receive)

Internet assignment for Wednesday, Oct. 3

The Learning Edge: Issue 5

This Web site is from Canada so some words may have British English spelling, but the audio is very clear and may help you with the reading. The text turns to a blue color to show you what sentence you are hearing. You need a computer with the Internet and sound for this, but you can also read the questions and answers without the sound. It’s better to do both. Click on this link:

http://www.thewclc.ca/edge/issue5/index1.html

1. First click on the 10 Top Interview Questions. Copy each question. Write your own answer to the question according to one of the job ads you found for the last lab exercise or make up a new job you are applying for. Adapt your answers to that job. Compare your answers to Frieda’s. Make a list of 6 or more new vocabulary words you learned from the Interview Questions -- with their meanings. Write C if you figured out the meaning from the context or D if you had to look it up in the dictionary. You will need your paper with the questions and answers for Wednesday's in-class activities, so please do this on time and bring it to class. It should be in ink or typed.

2. Extra Credit: Click on Cold-calling at the link above. Go through the scenes and then do the Learning Activities. Do the writing activity on your homework paper to hand in. If you learned any new words add them to the list you made for #1.