In any context such as this, the word "based" does not at all imply exclusivity. It implies a main part or a foundation. Since you said the work of Christ was done (I agree here), and that salvation is not yet had by the believer, then the sine qua non of salvation can only remain in the works of men. Do you agree? Therefore, from the man's POV, his salvation, as he experiences it, is based on his works.
I see the Catholic view being that Christ's work made all this possible. IOW, in Catholicism, Christ didn't actually accomplish salvation for any person in particular for all time. Instead, He, by His sacrifice, made it POSSIBLE for men to choose to do their works, and THEN be saved for all time. I still think that with an explanation, that is a fair description of a "works-based" salvation.
Please note that I am not calling you a Nestorian or an Arian or anything like that. Sometimes, things just "sound" bad and need an explanation. LOL! :)
Yes, that is accurate. One perhaps would also need a footnote that says that since God foreknows anything, He also knows His Elect form the foundation of the world, even though they need to cooperate with His grace in order to actualize their election.
This is why I generally tolerate epithets like work-based salvation, but I also make sure to explain that this does not negate election and does not negate the sacrifice of Christ as the only source of salvation. I suspect that soem groups (Salvation Army? Pelagius, for sure) have "works based salvation" in the sense that we find heretical.