叫醒工 英文閱讀學習單 | Intermediate ESL Worksheet

叫醒工 (Knocker-Uppers) — Intermediate

During the Industrial Revolution, before reliable and abordable alarm clocks became widespread, a unique profession emerged to address a critical societal need. The knocker-upper served as a human alarm clock, ensuring that factory workers, miners, and dock workers arrived punctually for their early morning shifts. Missing work often meant losing wages or facing dismissal, making punctuality essential for maintaining one’s livelihood.

This extraordinary occupation required individuals to traverse dimly lit streets between 3 and 5 AM, armed with specialized equipment. Most knocker-uppers carried a long bamboo pole to tap rhythmically on upstairs bedroom windows, while others preferred pea-shooters, using dried peas as gentle projectiles to rouse sleeping customers. Each client provided compensation of a few pence per week, creating a modest but sustainable income stream for those who undertook this demanding profession.

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