1 . Volunteers Wanted

Elephant Volunteer Project, Laos

The 7-day volunteering programme is your gateway to feeling like a part of the elephant conservation team! You will start by following the 3-day visitor programme. Then you will be asked to assist us in the center’s development by participating in projects on site. Your activities may include things like: maintenance work (painting, construction, cleaning, gardening); observing and recording of elephant behaviour; making enrichment tools and materials for the elephants.

Portugal: Experience Life in a European Town While You Help Its People

Portugal was one of the countries that led the “discovery” of the Americas, but now it struggles with economic recession(经济衰退) while the people suffer the consequences. As a volunteer in Portugal, you can serve in the city of Beja. You can teach youth and adults in classrooms and municipal(市政的) learning centers.

St. Lucia: Visit a Caribbean Paradise and Make a Difference in the Life of a Child

St. Lucia is one of the world’s most beautiful islands. However, in this tropical paradise, children face life-limiting nutrition, health and education challenges. That’s why we need your help to care for these children, provide them with nutritious meals, as well as educate and encourage the children’s parents.

Social Worker and Construction Volunteering Work in Nepal

Most of the schools in rural Nepal consist of simple stone structures with no water or electricity. They have no bright classrooms, toilets or playgrounds, and no libraries. Most students do not even have drinking water. Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) places international volunteers for construction and manual work in the areas most in need. VSN asks you to paint, construct or repair necessary buildings. These projects are usually funded by your own contributions.

1. What may volunteers do both in Laos and Nepal?

A．Do some gardening.	B．Raise their own funds.
C．Paint and construct things.	D．Make some tools and materials.

2. Where will you go if you are interested in life in a European town?

A．Laos.

B．Portugal.

C．St. Lucia.

D．Nepal.

3. Which is the serious problem children in St. Lucia are facing?

A．Education.	B．Economy.
C．After-school activities.	D．Wildlife protection.

2 . What does it take to become an astronaut? It’s a question that’s been asked since the start of the Space Age in the 1960s. In those days, pilots were considered the most well-trained professionals, so military fliers were first in line to go to space. More recently, people from a wide range of professional backgrounds - doctors, scientists, and even teachers- have trained to live and work in near-Earth orbit. Even so, those selected to go to space must meet high standards.

People who want to become astronauts must be in top physical condition. Each country’s space program has health requirements for its space travelers. They usually assess a candidate’s fitness to withstand some pretty tough conditions. For example, a good candidate must have the ability to endure the rigors of lift-off and to function in weightlessness. All astronauts must have good visual acuity and normal blood pressure. Beyond that, there is no age limit. Most astronaut trainees are between the ages of 25 and 46, although older people have also flown to space later in their careers.

People who go to space are usually self-confident, risk-takers, adept at stress management and multitasking. They also need to be able to work as part of a team for any given assignment. On Earth, astronauts are usually required to perform various public relations duties. such as speaking to the public, working with other professionals, and sometimes even testifying before government officials. So, astronauts who can relate well to many different kinds of people are seen as valuable team members.

Often, astronauts have a background as scientists and many have high-level degrees, like Ph. Ds. Others have military training or space industry expertise. Regardless of their background, once an astronaut is accepted into a country’s space program, he or she goes through rigorous training to actually live and work in space.

1. Which of the following is of least importance to an astronaut?

A．Normal blood pressure.	B．Good eyesight.
C．Tough body.	D．Young age

2. According to the passage, an astronaut is one who

A．is strong and healthy.	B．has self-confidence
C．can work under great pressure	D．All of the above.

3. Why are astronauts asked to perform public duties?

A．To make them famous among people.

B．To relieve their feeling of tension.

C．To raise their awareness of teamwork.

D．To promote public interest in the aerospace.

4. What could be the best title for the passage?

A．Everyone Can be an Astronaut

B．The Professional Qualities of an Astronaut

C．Training Astronauts is Much Easier Nowadays

D．It’s not Mysterious to be an Astronaut