1 . Why volunteer with STA Travel?

It’s a sad truth that many well-intentioned volunteer projects can be mismanaged for profit rather than helping. We will only work with projects that have a positive impact, satisfying the needs of the host communities while also meeting the desires of travellers to make real contributions, train their mind to think creatively, and gain skills for future study and work.

We support projects in more than 30 countries. Whether you’re looking to teach English, work with communities, animals or clean up our planet, there’s something for everyone.

Our featured voluntourism projects

Teach Children in Nepal

Join the project lasting over three weeks to assist with English lessons and homework and choose to stay at a shared volunteer house. Optional activities include a trip to Pokhara, the second largest city in the country and cooking demonstrations.

Thai Elephant Conservation

Experience one of our best-selling volunteer projects which offer a peaceful home to more than 30 neglected and previously abused elephants — with options ranging from seven days to four weeks. Play an important role by preparing food, feeding them and assisting in maintenance of the park.

Make a Difference in Indonesia

Work alongside local communities to arrange beach clean-ups and monitor and nurse newborn animals in their living areas for four weeks. There are also two-month options including teaching in local schools and community visit opportunities.

Experience Borne o & Conserve Orang-utans

This one-month project is designed for volunteers to experience and help with rehabilitation (复兴) of orang-utans in Sarawak, which are large arboreal animals and the only great apes in Asia. What’s more, take part in a long adventurous walk into the rainforest to meet the Iban and experience a unique stay in traditional longhouses.

1. What is the feature of STA Travel?

A．Its services are all over the world.	B．It provides free training for volunteers.
C．It focuses on domestic communities.	D．Its projects leave a far-reaching influence.

2. Which project is suitable for those who want a short-term trip?

A．Teach Children in Nepal.	B．Make a Difference in Indonesia.
C．Thai Elephant Conservation.	D．Experience Borne o &Conserve Orang-utans.

3. What is a common aim of the projects in Indonesia and Sarawak?

A．Taking part in adventurous walks.

B．Bringing harmony between man and nature.

C．Tracking wild animals in their living places.

D．Arranging clean-ups in traditional longhouses.

2 . Kelli Boehle says her son Nik was an amazing and caring person. Nik was diagnosed(诊断) with cancer in 2008 when he was 17. He passed away in 2012. But Nik’s kindness and generosity have lived on long after his death.

After he was diagnosed and started treatment, Nik was granted (给予) a wish experience from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “For just this period of time, we didn’t think about cancer, ”Kelli Boehle said. “All we thought about was enjoying our time together. ”

In 2009, Nik met another young man Nate, who was also going through cancer treatment. He’d been diagnosed a month after turning 18, and Nik learned he was too old to qualify for a wish. The night before Nik passed away, he asked his mother to help ensure that young adults fighting cancer could have their wishes come true too.

“It was like a seed he planted that just wouldn’t stop coming into my mind, ” she said. In 2012, Kelli Boehle started Nik’s Wish. The nonprofit grants wishes to young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are battling cancer. Nate was the organization’s first wish recipient. “It’s meant to bring them joy and know that they’re loved and that we’re fighting for them, too, ”Kelli Boehle said.

Recently, 19-year-old Jordan Morrow received her wish to attend a Taylor Swift concert as part of a trip to Los Angeles. For Morrow, who has spent the last year battling brain cancer, going to the concert has done more than lift her spirits. “I think it’s something to get me through whatever comes my way, ”she said. “And I’m thankful for Nik’s Wish for that. ”

In the 11 years since Nik passed away, the organization has granted more than 300 wishes across more than 30 states. In the beginning, Kelli Boehle says she wasn’t sure she could be a wish maker and work closely with the young adults. But now, it’s her favorite thing to do.

1. What is the goal of Nik’s Wish?

A．To make commercial profits.	B．To cure the youth of their cancer.
C．To ease young patients of pains.	D．To support young adults fighting cancer.

2. Which word best describes Kelli Boehle?

A．Intelligent.

B．Selfless.

C．Straightforward.

D．Ambitious.

3. What can we learn from Jordan Morrow’s words?

A．She survived the deadly disease.	B．She was granted more than one wish.
C．She was motivated by the organization.	D．She lifted people’s spirits by performing.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Pay-It-Forward: A Mother’s Last Wish

B．Cancer Battles: Stories of Hope and Perseverance

C．Nik’s Wish: Fulfilling Wishes for Young Cancer Fighters

D．Make-A-Wish Foundation: Granting Dreams to Young Adults

3 . In 2017, Barbara and Jean decided to spread the holiday spirit with Christmas gifts. Little did they know that this simple act of _________ would develop into a heartwarming tradition and, _________, the creation of their nonprofit organization, Resident’s Hope.

In their _________ year, they spent around $120 to provide Christmas gifts for 13 individuals at Nurses Helping Hands. The joy and _________ they witnessed inspired them to _________ a more ambitious mission — to bring the _________ of Christmas to as many nursing home residents as possible.

Fast forward to Christmas Day in 2022, and the dynamic two _________ an incredible milestone. Through their nonprofit Resident’s Hope, they had the _________ of serving over 400 individuals across five different nursing home facilities. The _________ growth of their initiative (行动) was a ____________ to their consistent commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those often ____________ during the holiday season.

This heartwarming success ____________ Barbara and Jean to take their mission to the next level. In July 2023, they ____________ founded Resident’s Hope as a nonprofit organization. Their ____________ initiative, the Christmas Giving event, became the driving force behind their cause. “Our organization ____________ to nursing home facilities, shops for personalized gifts, elegantly wraps them with their signature bow, and ensures ____________ delivery so that residents can enjoy Christmas presents,” the founders ____________.

Resident’s Hope has become a ____________ for seniors in nursing homes, offering not just gifts, but a sense of community and connection during the holiday season. The organization’s impact ____________ to grow, and the founders are determined to make each Christmas brighter for those who may otherwise be ____________.

1.

A．kindness

B．bravery

C．wisdom

D．politeness

2.

A．probably

B．ultimately

C．entirely

D．obviously

3.

A．last

B．second

C．next

D．first

4.

A．gratitude

B．curiosity

C．commitment

D．sympathy

5.

A．sum up

B．cut in

C．kick off

D．find out

6.

A．custom

B．celebration

C．routine

D．magic

7.

A．described

B．searched

C．achieved

D．designed

8.

A．habit

B．privilege

C．impression

D．risk

9.

A．sharp

B．past

C．reliable

D．equal

10.

A．way

B．demonstration

C．chance

D．challenge

11.

A．deserted

B．ignored

C．stressed

D．received

12.

A．promised

B．invited

C．pushed

D．forced

13.

A．fortunately

B．casually

C．officially

D．exactly

14.

A．casual

B．temporary

C．spiritual

D．typical

15.

A．moves on

B．passes down

C．reaches out

D．gives in

16.

A．urgent

B．daily

C．direct

D．timely

17.

A．remarked

B．agreed

C．assessed

D．shared

18.

A．need

B．talent

C．hope

D．reason

19.

A．continues

B．stops

C．waits

D．chooses

20.

A．cheered

B．forgotten

C．praised

D．abandoned

4 . At The Rachael Ray Foundation^TM (RRF), we’re pretty big animal lovers. As a part of our work, we support a wide variety of organizations that do good for animals, from rescue to care and more. Get to know a few of them and the work we do together.

Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team

RRF helped enable Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART) to purchase a new and bigger plane for its rescue missions which bring animals from danger to safety. Whether it be flying dogs in overcrowded shelters to new homes, saving animals caught in the path of natural disasters, or bringing supplies to shelters in need, the brave PAART pilots are always ready to help.

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) works to find and train shelter dogs who have the talent and drive to become search and rescue animals. RRF supports SDF’s efforts to identify and transform rescued dogs into rescuers, to provide lifetime care for these dogs and to find homes for all dogs who enter the SDF training program.

Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants

This is a program administered by Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) to support Best Friends’ network partners in their lifesaving efforts. The money has been awarded to organizations across the country to fund initiatives such as adoption drives and shelter intake prevention efforts.

North Shore Animal League America Disaster Relief Grants

This program, administered by North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), provides money for animal welfare organizations impacted by disasters. RRF is proud to help NSALA in its efforts to identify needs in disaster situations and provide targeted, effective relief.

1. What is special about PAART?

A．It provides necessities for-animals in need.	B．It conducts animal rescue missions by plane.
C．It is supported by the Rachael Ray Foundation.	D．It assists in finding adopters for rescued animals.

2. Which organization is devoted to training shelter animals to do rescue work?

A．SDF.

B．BFAS.

C．PAART.

D．NSALA.

3. What do the last two programs have in common?

A．They both strongly promote animal adoption.

B．They are both in charge of Best Friends Animal Society.

C．They both provide financial assistance to animal welfare initiatives.

D．They are both administered by welfare organizations impacted by disasters.

5 . Growing up in poverty in rural Kenya, Nelly Cheboi watched her single mother work tirelessly so she could attend school.

From an early age, she realized that her family, along with others like hers in their village, was________ a cycle that left them little hope. Cheboi attended college ________ scholarship in the UnitedStates, worked odd jobs to support her family, and discovered her ________ for computer science. She________ the success in finding jobs to her computer literacy. She knew she wanted to share it with her________ back home.

Today, she’s giving 4,000 kids the chance for a ______ future through her nonprofit, TechLit Africa.The organization, whose name is short for Technologically Literate Africa, uses recycled ______ to create technology labs in schools in rural Kenya.

In 2018, she began ________ recycled computers. She started small, carrying the machines to Kenya in check-on bags and ______ customs fees and taxes herself. TechLit Africa now works with shipping companies to ______ the donated computers so it’s more cost ______.The donated hardware is ______ to partner schools in rural Kenya, where students aged 4 to 12 receive daily classes and frequent ________ to learn from professionals and gain skills that will help improve their education and prepare them for future jobs.

“My hope is that when the first TechLit kids graduate high school, they’re able to get a job online________ they will know how to code,”Cheboi said.“The world is your oyster when you are educated. By bringing the resources, by bringing these skills, we are ________ the world to them.”

1.

A．stuck in

B．applied to

C．stricken by

D．prohibited from

2.

A．beyond

B．on

C．against

D．for

3.

A．appreciation

B．sympathy

C．passion

D．attraction

4.

A．praised

B．credited

C．strengthened

D．admitted

5.

A．family

B．friends

C．colleagues

D．community

6.

A．stable

B．uncertain

C．brighter

D．peaceful

7.

A．computers

B．textbooks

C．materials

D．wastes

8.

A．programming

B．studying

C．purchasing

D．accepting

9.

A．cutting

B．handling

C．collecting

D．charging

10.

A．transplant

B．translate

C．transport

D．transform

11.

A．efficient

B．rewarding

C．accessible

D．reliable

12.

A．attached

B．committed

C．contributed

D．distributed

13.

A．alternatives

B．opportunities

C．occasions

D．meetings

14.

A．because

B．before

C．so

D．and

15.

A．caring about

B．turning on

C．opening up

D．showing off

6 . The Daintree rainforest is overflowing with flora (植物群) and fauna (动物群) not found anywhere else in the world. It is also believed to be the oldest continual area of tropical rainforest in existence. With more than half of the world’s rainforests already destroyed,   here’s why it is important to help support activities to ensure this impressing part of Australia can’t be developed.

HalfCut is an innovative charity created in 2017 which is helping to save the Daintree rainforest in Far North Queensland. In fact, during the covid lockdowns of 2021, they helped raise more than $1.2 million for the Daintree “buy back” program which protected over 500,000 square metres of endangered Daintree rainforest. This is equal to 123.55 footbal fields worth of tropical rainforest.

Anyone wanting to support the protection of the Daintree is welcome by HalfCut. Created by James Standon-Cooke and life partner Jessie Clarke, this environmental activity is challenging you to cut off half of your hair, beard or moustache, since half stylish face makeup, baking goods, and even the odd half cut lawn have been popular more recently. If you feel like spending hundreds of dollars in colouring, then style your hair a different shade or braid (编) half of your hair, undercut or even get a normal haircut showing half of the length removed. Visit www. Go. HalfCut. org to share your new hairdo on social media with friends and family to help raise money. Every $2. 50 is one more square metre saved of the world’s oldest rainforest. It is up to you how long you stay halfcut. It may be for a day, a week or even a month. All money donated helps protect Daintree Rainforest in Far North Queensland which provides crucial habitat for many endangered species.

Don’t want to mess with your perfect hair? Then help spread the word by buying a HalfCut T-shirt, bag, hat or jacket and save 10 square metres of rainforest for life per purchase, or simply make a donation to this great cause. It is all about doing your bit to help to protect the oldest rainforest in the world.

1. Why do people protect the Daintree rainforest?

A．It hasn’t been developed.	B．Half of it has been destroyed.
C．It has unique ecological diversity.	D．It’s the biggest tropical rainforest.

2. What can we know about HalfCut according to the passage?

A．It has helped save 123. 55 football fields.

B．It raises money online for rainforest protection.

C．It leads the fashion trend in the hairdressing industry.

D．It donates $2. 50 to rainforest protection for each customer.

3. What do the last two paragraphs talk about?

A．The origin of HalfCut.	B．The development of HalfCut.
C．The services offered by HalfCut.	D．The ways people can get involved in HalfCut.

4. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To inform people of the achievements of HalfCut.

B．To advocate readers to support HalfCut and save forest.

C．To introduce current situation of the Daintree rainforest.

D．To raise government’s awareness of protecting environment.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the woman most probably speaking to?

A．A retiree.

B．A patient.

C．A librarian.

2. What does the man need to do with the records?

A．To return them.

B．To collect them.

C．To update them.

3. Why does the lunch club need more drivers?

A．It is located in a neighboring community.

B．It promises to provide a lift for its members.

C．Many members are from other communities.

4. When will Mrs. Carroll go to the hospital?

A．Next Friday.

B．Next Tuesday.

C．Next Monday.

8 . Chick-fil-A is known for their incredible customer service. But the restaurants often find special ways to _______in times of crisis, too. And this North Carolina Chick-fil-A helped Hurricane Florence relief _______by opening its doors on Sunday.

You’ll always hear “My pleasure” from Chick-fil-A_______when they serve you. And the Wilmington, North Carolina Chick-fil-A, owned by Donovan and Nikki Carless, was quick to serve locals on Sunday after Hurricane Florence left thousands of people _______ .

By then, the hurricane had already _______the lives of 43 people. Rescue missions_______around 5,000 people from dangerous conditions. And the Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, announced that floodwaters were still a(n)_______to the state.

With this in mind, the restaurant owners asked their employees who would be _______to serve food on Sunday. It’s a day the company usually closes in honor of its Christian beliefs. But on this particular Sunday, the doors opened and served the miserable_______.

According to ABC News 11, the team________the opportunity to help.________the Red Cross, the team was able to give 500 sandwiches and 1,200 biscuits at three different________. Other fast-food chains also ________in rescue work. And this is________what community is all about. In times like these, it’s always________to see businesses put their bottom dollar aside and instead look to see how they can give back.

1.

A．remain

B．respond

C．reflect

D．refresh

2.

A．effort

B．fund

C．supplies

D．staff

3.

A．leaders

B．residents

C．colleagues

D．employees

4.

A．motionless

B．fearless

C．homeless

D．speechless

5.

A．claimed

B．lost

C．confirmed

D．dominated

6.

A．hid

B．separated

C．recovered

D．prevented

7.

A．warning

B．threat

C．reminder

D．interruption

8.

A．proud

B．reliable

C．curious

D．willing

9.

A．victims

B．villagers

C．rescuers

D．attackers

10.

A．opened up

B．waited for

C．benefited from

D．jumped at

11.

A．In command of

B．In reward for

C．In association with

D．In contrast to

12.

A．companies

B．habitats

C．shelters

D．settlements

13.

A．engaged

B．delighted

C．succeeded

D．invested

14.

A．merely

B．surely

C．probably

D．truly

15.

A．challenging

B．inspiring

C．astonishing

D．puzzling

9 . Children love it when someone reads a book to them. They love funny sounds, rhyming words and silly pictures. They love the sound of their mom or dad’s voice. Sometimes, however, their mom or dad can’t read to them, because that parent is in prison.

Aunt Mary’s Storybook Project, started in 1993, is now a national program that promotes incarcerated（被监禁的）parents reading to their children. Church or service groups donate books and postage. Incarcerated parents pick out books, read them and either volunteers or prison workers mail the books and tapes out to the children. Last May, we distributed 191 books, meaning that 191 children received a book and a tape.

The incarcerated readers record their books, followed by a personal message to the child. Sometimes it is amusing listening to strong, tattooed（纹身）muscle men making animal sounds or funny voices of different characters. Sometimes all I hear is silence, and then sounds that confirm my guess that they are calming themselves after an unexpected wave of feelings.

Seventy percent of children of incarcerated parents eventually end up facing the justice system themselves at some point in their lives. Many of these children end up doing hard time in state institutions.

In reality, though, they are doing hard time now as 12-year-olds, 7-year-olds, and even as babies. They grow up thinking that their parent is “bad” and doesn’t care. They are often teased and feel they have to defend themselves or their parent, sometimes in a violent way.

When they receive in the mail a book and a tape of their parent reading to them, they hear another message, “Daddy/Mommy loves me; he/she has a happy voice; he/she thinks reading is cool.”

Aunt Mary’s Storybook Project is just a small pill for one huge social illness. But when we think we are merely scratching the surface, at least 191 kids are feeling a little bit better!

1. What do incarcerated parents do in Aunt Mary’s Storybook Project?

A．They read to their children on a tape.

B．They record books with their children.

C．They meet their children and read to them.

D．They read books that their children choose.

2. Why is there silence before some incarcerated parents speak?

A．They want to speak with feelings.	B．They have to control their feelings.
C．They need to consider what to say.	D．They feel guilty about what they did.

3. What can we infer about the children according to paragraph 4?

A．They will study law in the future.	B．They have to learn to face reality.
C．They gain a lot from their parents.	D．They may become lawbreakers in the future.

4. What does the author think of what they do?

A．It is worth doing.	B．It makes little difference.
C．It has great effect on society.	D．It can change incarcerated parents.

10 . The founder of KiwiHarvest has won an award for her efforts and impacts in aiding the environment and communities.

Deborah Manning, who lives in Dunedin, started KiwiHarvest from the boot(行李箱) of   her car 10 years ago. Originally a lawyer, Manning changed careers when she realized that she wanted to focus on “significance“ rather than success.

Manning said, “I was driven to make a difference for delicate people in Aotearoa and for our fragile environment.”She said that if she used food that was still good to eat but was going to be thrown out to feed those in need, she could be “solving two problems with one solution”. She spent four months researching “food rescue” and speaking to businesses and groups who might donate extra food or need food for their food support programs (foodbanks, community meals, shelters etc. ).“Once I understood what was needed to collect,’ store and transport perishable(易变质的), frozen and fresh food, I simply started doing it in my own ear,”, she said.

Since then, KiwiHarvest has grown from a single person operation to a national organization with branches across the country.“ We provide food to organizations in the community working in the face of hunger and poverty ,”Manning said, “which in turn reduces their food budget so they can spend their precious funds on the other programs they offer. ”

Her efforts towards reducing food waste and aiding in food insecurity was recognized in the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero, of the Year Award, given to those “taking extraordinary action to better our communities and nation.”

KiwiHarvest has now provided 20 million meals from rescued food for people across Aolearoa. The next focus for it is on education, Manning said, “We want to get out into the community to tell our story and encourage people to reduce food waste and eat healthily.”

1. Why did Deborah Manning change her careers?

A．She took a great interest in business.

B．She failed to be a very successful lawyer.

C．She won an award for protecting the environment.

D．She wanted to help people in need with food rescue.

2. What do we know about KiwiHarvest?

A．It is operated worldwide.

B．It helps reduce food waste.

C．It profits from food delivery.

D．It is funded by the government.

3. What may account for Deborah Manning’s wide recognition?

A．Her commitment to food rescue and food aid.

B．Her ability to operate a national organization.

C．Her cooperation with businesses and communities.

D．Her determination to get rid of hunger and poverty.

4. What will Kiwi Harvest mainly focus on next?

A．Setting up more branches.

B．Offering more meals to people.

C．Educating people to save food.

D．Solving the environmental issue.