Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874-1965) once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” These are certainly words that millions of volunteers around the world could agree with.
In the US, April is National Volunteer Month, which recognizes and thanks volunteers who lend their time, talent, and support to causes (事业) they care about.
Volunteering means choosing to work without being paid for it. People who volunteer spend their time doing things they feel strongly about. For example, animal lovers may volunteer at an animal shelter to help improve the treatment and well-being of animals.
For students, valuable lessons may also be learned by volunteering. Take Andrew Makhoul, a sophomore (大二学生) at the University of Pennsylvania, as an example. Makhoul didn’t spend the 2012 spring break partying. Unlike his classmates, who planned on relaxing after a term of hard work, the 19-year-old decided to do something for people less fortunate than himself.
He traveled to an orphanage (孤儿院) in Guatemala in Central America. The orphanage is in one of the poorest and most violent parts of the country, and depends on volunteers to stay open.
Makhoul doesn’t speak much Spanish, but he found communication wasn’t a problem: “You communicated with love,” according to an article on his university’s website, “You could see love when you looked in their eyes.”
Makhoul’s first time as a volunteer only lasted a week, but by the end of that week, he knew he’d be back soon – because he saw love and hope.
US author Sherry Anderson once wrote, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” And this is perhaps why volunteers all around the world keep doing what they do.
11. Why is Winston Churchill mentioned in the first paragraph?
A.To teach readers a lesson. | B.To sum up the main idea. |
C.To lead in the topic. | D.To involve readers in a story. |
12. According to the passage, why is the National Volunteer Month held in the US ?
A.To collect money for the volunteers. | B.To offer care about the causes of volunteers. |
C.To appreciate the work of volunteers. | D.To encourage more to become volunteers. |
13. How did Makhoul spend the 2012 spring break?
A.He threw a party. | B.He relaxed himself. |
C.He went to an animal shelter. | D.He visited an orphanage. |
14. It can be inferred that Makhoul is_________.
A.warm-hearted | B.lovely | C.brave | D.energetic |
15. Which word can best describe the work of volunteers?
A.Worthless. | B.Priceless. | C.Highly-paid. | D.Badly-needed. |