A
I left England for Sydney in September. It was a career move for my husband, and our 20yearold daughter was feeling adventurous and decided to come, too. However, just before leaving England, my 79yearold mother suffered a stroke (中风). Being strong and independent, she continues to live at home with the help of social services. But she couldn't look after the garden. I thought how wonderful it would be if there was an organisation offering volunteer help. Friends asked me what I planned to do in Australia, and I told them I would be looking for a volunteer position with a gardening charitable organisation. Imagine my surprise when I found just the organisation I had been looking for — Easy Care Gardening (ECG)!
There are several reasons why I volunteer for ECG. Firstly, as a newcomer to Australia I meet many great people who, like me, volunteer some of their time. We cover a large age range, but all love gardens and helping others.
Secondly, through working with ECG I have been lucky enough to explore Sydney's North Shore that I might not have had the opportunity to visit otherwise.
Finally, there are all those wonderful people we call “clients (客户)”， but are more like friends when we visit them often and tend their gardens. What great people I have met, and the stories they have to tell — the family histories, where they come from and the reasons for immigrating to Australia. I find it a privilege to have access to private gardens which, in many cases, have been the joy of their owners for many years. Each one is individual and reflects the character, needs and the history of each family. Indeed, the gardens reflect the multicultural and historical background of Sydney.
语篇解读：本文是一篇记叙文。作者因为个人经历而决定在澳大利亚做园艺志愿者，主要帮助客户打理花园。这一工作不仅让作者能够帮助别人，还为作者带来了诸多收获。
1．Why did the author move to Sydney?
A．Her husband would work there.
B．She planned to volunteer there.
C．She was very keen on adventures.
D．She had to look after her sick mother.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“I left England for Sydney in September. It was a career move for my husband”可知，由于事业发展作者的丈夫去悉尼工作，作者也一同前往。故选A。
2．What made the author choose to be a gardening volunteer?
A．The popularity of ECG.
B．The tips of her friends.
C．Her own experience.
D．Her gardening skills.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据第一段中的“my 79yearold mother suffered a stroke (中风)”和“But she couldn't look after the garden. I thought how wonderful ... I would be looking for a volunteer position with a gardening charitable organisation.”可知，作者母亲患中风不能打理花园，在这种情况下，作者希望能有一个帮助人们打理花园的慈善组织，这段经历使得作者萌生了做园艺志愿者的想法。
3．What do the volunteers at ECG have in common?
A．They make friends with their clients.
B．They like to explore Sydney's North Shore.
C．They are of similar ages and backgrounds.
D．They are kindhearted with the same interest.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“We cover a large age range, but all love gardens and helping others.”可知，ECG有各个年龄段的志愿者，但是他们都热爱花园和帮助他人，即他们善良，又有共同的兴趣。
