A
It was the summer of 2014 when I was asked whether I wanted to go to Malibu (an island in Canada) with my church to serve the military families. At first, I heard this and thought, “You are asking an eleven-year-old in his last week of summer if he wants to go on a trip with his mom to Canada to serve other people? ” Of course, I responded with a kind refusal, but my mom found a way to convince me to go.
When we were on the ferry to the island, a thousand thoughts were running through my head, such as “What am I going to do here? ” “Am I even going to be useful? ” and “Why am I even here? ” When we got to the island, I was assigned to the child care. I was actually somewhat excited because my friend said he would help me. The first time I met the kids, I got to know them pretty well. They were all between the ages of four and six. Some of them stayed behaved and a few of them started acting crazily and would even hit and push the other kids.
With those kids, I was very strict, but I still tried to be positive and maintain a smile. After all, they were just innocent kids. In most of the time, I needed to help them with things like laundry and setting tables. Even though it sounded dull, I enjoyed every second of it. One of the things I did in my free time was to play pool. I befriended a few kids there. They were really easy to talk to. Some of the things we talked about were sports, food, video games, and most of all pool.
Even though I was only at Malibu, Canada for one week, I feel like I made spiritual changes in some people’s life. You don’t have to go above and beyond to make a difference in someone’s life. In the end, it all comes down to what way you changed them. It could have been in a spiritual way or a mental way as long as you had a positive effect. So go out and try to make a difference in this world.
【文章大意】本文是一篇记叙文。作者在妈妈的鼓励下不情愿地去了马里布。作为一名志愿者, 作者在岛上的主要任务是照顾那里的孩子。这次经历让作者体会到“一切都归结于你改变它们的方式。只要你有积极的影响, 它可能是心灵上的, 也可能是精神上的。”
1. How did the author react when asked if he liked to serve the military families?
A. He hardly believed it.
B. He was very confused about the decision.
C. He rejected the offer.
D. He was hesitant about the trip.
【解析】选C。细节理解题。根据第一段中Of course, I responded with a kind refusal, “当然, 我婉言谢绝了”, 可知, 当被问及是否愿意为军人家属服务时, 作者拒绝提供服务。故选C。
2. How did the author feel when he was on the way to Malibu?
A. He was eager for the coming challenge.
B. He enjoyed every second.
C. He felt somewhat excited.
D. He was actually unwilling.
【解析】选D。推理判断题。根据第二段中When we were on the ferry to the island, a thousand thoughts were running through my head, such as “What am I going to do here? ” “Am I even going to be useful? ” and “Why am I even here? ”“当我们在去岛上的渡船上时, 我的脑海里闪过一千个念头, 比如’我在这里要做什么? ’’我能成为有用的人吗? ’和’我为什么在这里? ’”可知, 作者在去马里布的路上感到“他实际上并不愿意去。”故选D。
3. As a volunteer the author’s main task on the island was _________.
A. to attend to kids there
B. to educate kids there
C. to befriend kids there
D. to share his experiences with kids there
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第二段中When we got to the island, I was assigned to the child care. “当我们到达岛上时, 我被派去照看小孩。”可知, 作为一名志愿者, 作者在岛上主要任务是照顾那里的孩子。故选A。
4. What does the author mainly tell us in the last paragraph?
A. The benefits of taking the trip.
B. His spiritual changes in Malibu.
C. What he has learnt from the experience.
D. What to do to make a greater difference.
【解析】选C。 段落大意题。根据最后一段中In the end, it all comes down to what way you changed them. It could have been in a spiritual way or a mental way as long as you had a positive effect. So go out and try to make a difference in this world. “最后, 一切都归结于你改变它们的方式。只要你有积极的影响, 它可能是心灵上的, 也可能是精神上的。所以, 走出去, 试着改变这个世界。”可知, 最后一段告诉我们“他从这次经历中学到了什么。”故选C。
【知识拓展】佳词积累
1. go on a trip with sb. 与某人一起旅行
2. respond with a kind refusal 善意的拒绝
3. convince sb. to do sth. 说服某人做某事
4. be assigned to do sth. 被分配去做某事
5. maintain a smile 保持微笑
6. befriend sb. 与某人交朋友
