Recently I fully understood that a little favor could really make a big difference. My daughter and I were, accidentally, in time to catch a falling heart just before it hit the ground.

It all started when Charlene, one of my co-volunteers at the library, asked if I could do her duty on Tuesday since her doctor appointment had been unexpectedly changed. I agreed, which meant I  was home on Friday instead of volunteering as previously planned.

My daughter, Mary, managers a book store in town. Mid-morning, she called to ask me for help. Would I buy a fifty dollar gift card, birthday card, and cake for one of Mary’s assistant managers, Cindy?

Mary explained she had to call Cindy in to take the place of another assistant manager who was sick, but felt terrible about it when she discovered it was Cindy’s birthday. Cindy insisted that it was just fine. But that was not what Mary thought, so she gathered enough money from other employees to throw a surprise party for Cindy. Since neither Mary, nor any of the other employees, could leave to pick up the goodies, they were turning to me for help. Days later, Mary told me the wonderful rest of the story, “Cindy cried and cried when we surprised her. After the party, Cindy told us that her boyfriend had chosen that morning to break up with her. To top that off, she only had 26 cents left in her bank account.”

We were surprised at the series of unexpected events that took place in order to circle Cindy with love and catch her falling heart just before it hit the ground.

1.Why did Charlene ask a favor of the writer?

A. She had to see the doctor on Friday.    

B. She wanted to celebrate her daughter’s birthday.

C. She had an unexpected appointment on Tuesday.

D. She needed to prepare for her daughter’s birthday.

2.What can we learn about Mary?

A. She was a learned career woman.

B. She had uneasy relationships with her assistants.

C. She knew Cindy’s love story before the surprise party.

D. She played the most important role in this circle of love.

3.Which of the following couldn’t be the reason why Cindy cried?

A. She had to work on her birthday.

B.She had little money in her bank account.

C.She was greatly moved by Mary’s care and kindness.

D.She and her boyfriend parted that very morning.

4.The underlined word “goodies” refers to_________.

A. Gifts for Cindy      B. Good stories      C. Close friends      D. Goods on sale

Being the head of a high school for many years, I grew tired of budget meeting, funding cuts, and many other administrative chores (杂务). I started to dream of retirement. Sitting in traffic on a weekday morning, I would find my mind wandering, I would imagine spending time with my grandchildren, quiet evenings with my wife, traveling, or rediscovering some great books. I told myself that I wouldn’t sign myself up for any committees, any classes, or anything requiring a schedule.
My first day of retirement came at last! I cooked a great break fast for my wife and me, leisurely read the paper, cleaned a bit of the house, and wrote a few letters to friends. On the
second day, I cooked breakfast, read the paper … On the third day, … This is retirement? I tried to tell myself that it was just the transition（过渡）, that those golden moments were right round the corner, and that I would enjoy them soon enough, But something was missing.
A former colleague asked a favor. A group of students was going to Jamaica to work  with children in the poorest neighborhoods. Would I interrupt my newfound “happiness” and return to the students, just this once? One trip. That’s all, My bags were packed and by the door.
The trip was very inspiring. I was moved not only by the poverty I saw but also by the sense of responsibility of the young people on the trip. When I returned home, I offered to work one day a week with a local youth organization. The experience was so positive that I was soon volunteering nearly full-time, working with students across North America to assist them in their voluntary work.
Now, it seems, the tables have turned. Some days I am the teacher, other days I am the student. These young people have reawakened my commitment  (责任感)  to social justice issues by challenging me to learn more about the situation in the world today, where people are still poor and suffer because of greed, corruption and war, Most important, they have given me the opportunity to continue to participate in helping to find solutions. In return, I help them do their charitable projects overseas. I’ve gone from running one school to helping oversee the construction of schools in twenty-one countries!
60.What did the writer expect to do after he retired?
A. To stay away from busy schedules.          B. To write some great books.
C. To do some voluntary work                D. To plan for his future.
61.Why did the writer decide to go to Jamaica?
A. He missed his students in that country.      B. He couldn’t refuse his colleague’s favor.
C. He was not satisfied with his retired life.    D. He was concerned about the people there.
62.The underlined part “the tables have turned”(Paragraph 5) means that the writer        .
A. improved the situation in his school   B. felt happy to work with students again
C. became a learner rather than a teacher    D. changed his attitude toward his retired life
63.What does the writer think of his retired life now?
A. Disappointing     B. Meaningful      C. Promising            D. Troublesome

Inside the pleasingly fragrant cafe, So All May Eat(SAME) in downtown Denver ,t

he spirit of generosity is  instantly noticeable: donation box stands in place of

a cash register customers here pay only what they can afford, no questions asked.

A risky business plan, perhaps, but SAME Café has done one unchangeable thing i

n the MileHigh City for six years: Open only at midday, the restaurant allows p

oor local customers who cannot pay to work as volunteers instead. They can act as

waitersandwaitresses,anddishwashers, or look after the buildings and equipment

for the cafe.It’s based on trust, and it’s working all right”, says co-owne

r Brad Birky, who started the caféin 2006. Previously volunteering at soup kitc

hens, the Birkys were dissatisfied with the often unhealthy meals they served t

here. “We wanted to offer quality food in a restaurant where every-one felt co

mfortable,regardless of their circumstances,” Birky says. SAME’s special lunc

h menu changs daily and most food materials are natural and grown by local farm

ers. The café now averages 65 to 70 customers (and eight volunteers) a day. And

the spirit of generosity behind the project appears to be spreading. In early 

2007,one volunteer who hadcleared snow for his meals during the long winter sai

d goodbye to the Birkys.He said he was going to New Orleans to help with the hu

rricane clearing up,” says Birky. 

1.What can we learn about the soup kitchens the Birkys previously worked for?

2.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

3.The author’s attitude towards running such a café is_______

The meaning of the word “volunteer ” may be a little different in different countries, but it usually means “one who offers his or her services.” There are many different ways in which people can volunteer, such as taking care of sick people, working in homes for homeless children, and picking up garbage(垃圾) from beaches and parks. Volunteers may work within their own countries or in other countries. They are often people with a strong wish to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. Volunteers don’t expect any kind of pay.

   At the root of volunteering is the idea that one person may have the ability to offer services that can help other people. Tracy, a good friend of mine, however, recently came back from India with a new idea of what being a volunteer means. She worked for two and a half weeks in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in Calcutta. The following is her story.

   “I first heard about Mother Teresa in my high school, we watched a video(录像) about her work in India and all over the world. I was so moved by her spirit to help others and her endless love for every human being that after I graduated from high school, I too wanted to try her kind of work. So with two friends I flew to Calcutta for a few weeks.”

   “I was asked to work in a home for sick people. I helped wash clothes and sheets, and pass out lunch. I also fed the people who were too weak to feed themselves and tried to cheer the up. I felt it was better to share with them than to think that I have helped them. To be honest, I don’t think I was helping very much. It was then that I realized that I had not really come to help, but to learn about and experience another culture(文化) that helped improve my own understanding of life and the world.”

According to the text, a volunteer refers to a person who ______.

   A. is willing to help those in need without pay    B. can afford to travel to different places

   C. has a strong wish to be successful            D. has made a big fortune in life

Tracy started her work as a volunteer _______.

   A. after she met Mother Teresa

   B. after she finished high school

   C. when she was touring Calcutta

   D. when she was working in a hospital

Why did Tracy choose to be a volunteer?

   A. She liked to work with Mother Teresa.

   B. She had already had some experience.

   C. She was asked by Mother Teresa’s example.

   D. She wanted to follow Mother Teresa’s example.

What is Tracy’s “new idea” (Paragraph 2) of being a volunteer?

   A. Going abroad to help the sick.

   B. Working in Mother Teresa’s home.

   C. Doing simple things to help the poor.

   D. Improving oneself through helping others.

Teens ---want to gain valuable work experience? Do you enjoy working with kids? Need to finish community service requirement for school?

Volunteer for the alameda recreation and park department!

Volunteers are needed to help Recreation Leaders with youth programs and special events at our local park. During the summer, volunteers are also needed to help with our Aquatics Program at the swim center as well. This is a perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience for future employment opportunities.

Don’t delay(延迟)! Spaces Are Extremely Limited! Sign up early!

l You may register in person or mail the completed form and payment to: Alameda Recreation and Park Department, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.

l Faxed registrations accepted with MasterCard/ VISA,(510)747—7566.

Once your application has been reviewed(审查), you will be contacted by the Teen Coordination to plan an oral interview. If you are accepted into the program, you must attend a volunteer training.

All applications are to arrive no later than two weeks before the training date (listed below) and are limited to space availability.

Not all applications will be surely given an interview. Late Applications will not be dealt with.

Volunteer training information

Training Date: Thursday, May28,2009

Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building(2203 Central Avenue, Room 120,Alameda)

Cost: $45 per person----includes training, uniform and materials.

1.We can know from the passage that the program can        .

A．teach kids to swim at the swim center

B．train teens to be prepared for job interviews

C．offer people who are out of work some jobs

D．provide a chance for volunteers to get work experience

2.Once you are allowed to join in the program, you           .

A．will be trained for volunteering

B．will have a face to face interview

C．must contact the Teen Coordinator

D．will pay $45 for the materials

3.To join the program, you should register________.

A．on Thursday, May28, 2009

B．before Thursday, May 14, 2009

C．after Thursday, May 28, 2009

D．before Thursday, June 11, 2009

4.What information can we get from the passage?

A．You will be interviewed once you apply.

B．You can register by sending an email.

C．There is a limit to the number of volunteers.

D．The training will last about two weeks.