Unit 4.

FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY

LANGUAGE FOCUS
Phonetics
Sounds /nd/, /n/, /nt/: recommend, income, comment...
Grammar
- Irregular past tense verbs: choose → chose, wear → wore ...
- The past simple vs. the past continuous with when and while
Jane was writing the last sentence of her homework when her friend asked her to do his as well.
I bought a magazine to read while I was waiting for the train.
Vocabulary
- Words and phrases related to volunteers and voluntary work
contribution, non-profit...
- Adjective suffixes: -ed Vs-ing: -ful Vs -less
exciting, meaningful, hopeless ...
I. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in
pronunciation in each of the following questions.
1. A. obvious B. opportunity C. priority D. position
2. A. interact B. invalid C. chance D. narrow
3. A. hopeless B. useless C. unless D. meaningless
4. A. posted B. interacted C. donated D. concerned
5. A. applies B. obvious C. helps D. reports
II. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of
primary stress in each of the following questions.
1. A. newspaper B. commuter C. donation D. employment
2. A. community B. facility C. development D. disadvantage
3. A. handicapped B. fortunate C. interact D. meaningful
4. A. public B. martyr C. helpful D. apply
5. A. donor B. excite C. balance D. leader
III. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the
following sentences.
1. Volunteer work, understood in its traditional meaning, as unpaid activity oriented to help others and to
A B
improve society, have existed throughout the history of humanity.
C D
2. In order to start doing volunteer work, many organizations require that prospective volunteers complete a
A B
background check, which usually includes reference checks and criminal history check.
C D
3. The connections between informal learning with volunteer work are rarely discussed, or even acknowledged.
A B C D
4. Volunteerism refers to all forms of voluntary activity, whether formally or informally, full-time or part-time,
A B C
at home or abroad.
D
5. An important aspect of the informal learning acquired through volunteering is their transferability to other
A B C
dimensions of people's life, like paid employment or the civic sphere.
D
IV. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following sentences.
1. Volunteer work includes activities that we ____ in beyond the realms of paid employment and household
work, whether joining community-based organizations or just helping neighbours.
A. chose to engage B. choose to engage C. chose engaging D. choose engaging
2. Volunteer work has ranged from casual or regular assistance to community residents and family members in
____, to more collective and organized efforts to better the quality of life of the community.
A. request B. search C. need D. want
3. Informal learning and volunteer work are two dynamics ____ coexist every day in communities throughout
the world.
A. they B. that C. those D. these
4. In some workplaces employees are expected to do volunteer work ____ part of corporate volunteer initiatives.
A. as B. like C. for D. in
5. Voluntary organizations are key players in the economy in their own right ____ employers and service
providers.
A. as B. to C. for D. with
6. Volunteer activities bring together people who might not ____ have contact with one another.
A. likewise B. otherwise C. nonetheless D. unless
7. Many voluntary organizations share information ____ local government and community to push forward
community services.
A. to B. for C. back D. with
8. The more satisfied employees are, ____ to the company.
A. the more likely they will remain loyal B. the more loyal they will remain likely
C. the more they will likely remain loyal D. the likely they will remain more loyal
9. According to studies of AmeriCorps in 2008, service sector could increase people's capacities ____ a more
cohesive community.
A. lead B. to lead C. led D. leading
10. Keely S. Jones (2006) conducted research on the distinct connection of volunteering ____ public life and
civic engagement.
A. between B. with C. to D. for
11. Data from The Survey of Giving and Volunteering in the United States has indicated that greater
volunteering is ____ promoted by community ties.
A. stronger B. strongest C. mostly strongly D. most strongly
12. Volunteers have the opportunity to serve in fields such as healthcare, education, and social services - fields
that need visionary leaders, ____ are currently facing a severe shortage of qualified employees.
A. and B. but C. hence D. despite
13. Volunteering itself has been about people who step forward to help others ____ lives are very different from
their own, without judgment or prejudice.
A. of who B. of which C. whose D. those
14. Schools and other educational institutions are one of the most popular areas to volunteer within and
volunteers perform a number of vital functions within the education system, ____ to a range of outcomes.
A. contribute B. contributing C. to contribute D. contributed
15. In 2002 in UK, there were ____ 350 community recycling initiatives linked to the Community Recycling
Network.
A. approximate B. approximation C. approximately D. approximated
16. Various volunteer programs mobilize the creativity and knowledge of local communities everywhere to
____ the challenges of global climate change.
A. meet B. see C. share D. solve
17. Volunteer programs help address environmental threats and support communities ____ by natural disasters
such as earthquakes and tsunami.
A. affect B. effect C. affected D. effected
18. According to reports from AmeriCorps 2008, during ____ year of service, many members develop teaching
skills as they teach or tutor students.
A. a B. the C. their D. this
19. Volunteers may be required to obtain Red Cross ____ in order to serve through hospitals and healthcare
organizations or provide disaster relief.
A. certificate B. certification C. certified D. certificated
20. If all these volunteers constituted the population of a country, it ____ be the eighth largest country in the
world, behind Russia but ahead of Japan.
A. will B. shall C. would D. should
21. Even conservatively estimated, volunteers make a $400 billion ____ to the global economy.
A. contributing B. contributed C. contributive D. contribution
22. Data generated by the Johns Hopkins rescarchers revealed that, once converted into full-time- equivalent
workers, volunteers account on average ____ 45 per cent of the nonprofit workforce in the 36 countries.
A. of B. to C. for D. at
23. Volunteer work and paid work are best viewed as complementary ____ mutually exclusive.
A. rather than B. other than C. instead of D. in spite of
24. In a speech ____ in October 2006 the United Nations Development Programme's Associate Administrator,
Ad Melkerk, called attention to the "potential of volunteering and civil society" in advancing the Millennium
Development Goals.
A. deliver B. delivering C. delivered D. delivery
25. Symbolic gifts, or other similar expressions of gratitude for volunteer work, ____ to the volunteer so long as
they are not equal to the value of local market wages.
A. may give B. may be given C. may have given D. may have been given
26. Volunteers may receive non-monetary benefits from volunteering in the form of skills development, social
connections, job contacts, social ____ and a feeling of self-worth.
A. stand B. standard C. standing D. standee
27. Student volunteer work required for graduation or continuation in a school or training programme violate the
non-compulsory feature of the definition and should ____ not be considered as volunteer work.
A. thereafter B. thereby C. thereunder D. therefore
28. The long-term benefits of community development work are not ____ without the engagement of local
people who are experts in the social problems and needs of their own communities.
A. possible B. impossible C. impossible D. impossibility
29. A: "Have you ever done any volunteer work?"
B: “____”
A. I'm doing a part-time job to support my student life.
B. You see, earning money is difficult these days.
C. Sure. When I was a student, I helped in the hospital.
D. I have been trying to work with all my heart.
30. A student is talking to a volunteer organizer. Choose the best exchange to complete the conversation:
Organizer: "Where do you want to volunteer?" Student: “____”
A. I'm not really sure. What are my options?
B. You can either work in the garden or in the food pantry.
C. Thank you. I look forward to working with you.
D. What would I have to do?
V. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s)
in each of the following sentences.
1. Companies that connect the dots between talent and volunteerism have an opportunity to strengthen
relationships with young employees and will likely be rewarded with happier workers.
A. to narrow the gap B. to build a link C. to fill the hole D. to develop ties
2. A list of over one hundred community service examples is organized by category, so if you're particularly
interested in working with, say, children or animals, you can easily find community service activities more
related to your interests.
A. as listed B. such as C. mentioning D. speaking
3. As with other forms of philanthropy, the rewards for individuals who volunteer are not monetary but rather
social and psychological.
 A. valuable gift B. certification present C. financial aid D. substantial help
4. While volunteering is generally thought to be an activity undertaken without pay, it is not uncommon for
some coverage of out-of-pocket expenses to be available to volunteers.
A. small B. tiny C. fine D. large
5. Community service is work done by a person or group of people that benefits others. It is often done near the
area where you live, so your own community reaps the benefits of your work.
A. gains B. refuses C. accepts D. share
VI. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the
following sentences.
1. No one solution matches the needs of all communities.
A. There exists no single solution to solve all communities' problems.
B. Not communities share the same problems, hence no single solution.
C. All communities have their own needs but require the same solution.
D. There is no one solution to meet the needs of all communities.
2. Volunteering has a considerable impact on the education system itself.
A. The education itself has been considerably impacted by volunteering activities.
B. The impact of volunteering on the education system itself is worth considering.
C. There is a considerable impact of volunteering on its education system itself.
D. It is the volunteering activities that have considerable impact on education.
3. Volunteering makes a significant contribution to the economy all around the world.
A. A contribution from volunteering to the economy has been significantly made.
B. The economy all around the world benefits significantly from volunteering.
C. Volunteers around the world have made significant contribution to the economy.
D. Volunteering has significantly contributed to the world economy in all sectors.
4. Drugs are tested in patient volunteers to monitor adverse reactions to long-term use.
A. Patient volunteers help test drugs to monitor their adverse reactions to long-term use.
B. Patient volunteers are tested by drugs to monitor adverse reactions to long-term use.
C. Volunteers test drugs for patients to monitor their adverse reactions to long-term use.
D. Adverse reactions to long-term use are monitored after being tested in patient volunteers.
5. Nine volunteers were recruited to take part in the study.
A. The study attracted nine volunteers to take part in.
B. They recruited nine volunteers to takepart in the study.
C. All the nine recruited volunteers took part in the study.
D. The recruitment of nine volunteers helped the study a lot.
VII. Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences given.
1. Volunteer work includes a wide range of activities. Among them are coaching children and youth.
A. Coaching children and youth are the most common activities included in a wide range of volunteer
working activities.
B. Coaching children and youth are included in a wide range of activities of volunteer work.
C. Including a wide range of activities, volunteer work involves coaching children and youth.
D. Volunteer work includes a wide range of activities, among which are coaching children and youth.
2. It is recognized that students' volunteer work will benefit communities. However, its primary purpose is to
contribute to students' development.
A. Although it is recognized that students' volunteer work will benefit communities, its primary purpose
is to contribute to students' development.
B. As it is recognized that students' volunteer work will benefit communities, its primary purpose is to
contribute to students' development.
C. As the primary purpose of students' volunteer work is to contribute to students' development, its
benefit to communities is recognized.
D. To recognize the benefit of students' volunteer work to communities, it is to note that its primary
purpose is to contribute to students' development.
3. Volunteer work is a component of informal work. This has become a focus of increased attention by
policymakers throughout the world.
A. Volunteer work is a component of informal work, which has become a focus of increased attention by
policy makers throughout the world.
B. Policy makers around the world pay increase attention to volunteer work as it is a component of
informal work.
C. Because it is a component of informal work, volunteer work has drawn attention of policy makers
throughout the world.
D. Policy makers throughout the world now are paying increased attention to volunteer work as a focal
component of informal work.
4. The lack of systematic data on volunteer work is not simply an academic matter. It also limits the ability to
make the most effective use of this important resource.
A. Because the lack of systematic data on volunteer work is not simply an academic matter, it limits the
ability to make the most effective use of this important resource.
B. The lack of systematic data on volunteer work is not only simply an academic matter, but it also
limits the ability to make the most effective use of this important resource.
C. Due to the lack of systematic data on volunteer work, it is now not only a simple academic matter but
also limits the ability to make an effective use of this important resource.
D. Because the lack of systematic data on volunteer work limits the ability to make the most effective
use of this important resource, it is not simply an academic matter.
5. Some volunteers are not willing to travel. They prefer instead to seek opportunities nearer home.
A. Seeking opportunities nearer their homes makes some volunteers unwilling to travel.
B. Being able to seek opportunities nearer home, some volunteers are not willing to travel.
C. When volunteers are not willing to travel, they will try to seek opportunities nearer home.
D. Because some volunteers are not willing to travel, they seek opportunities nearer home.
VIII. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase
that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
With the support of volunteers, Mencap is able to help young people and adults live and engage in
everyday life, enabling them to enjoy more fulfilling activities and live (1) ____. With this support young
people and adults with a learning (2) ____ are able to engage in dedicated information and communication
technology (ICT) training and activities (3) ____ empower them with increased (4) ____ and ability to use
digital technology, have fun and improve their health and well-being. It has also created a community of
individuals (5) ____ both mainstream and learning disability background (6) ____ would not usually be in the
same social circle. This has had a real and noticeable impact (7) ____ both groups, which includes enabling
friendships to form and mutual understanding to be gained. A good example of (8) ____ this has been done is
through the joint club in Lisnaskea where young people from the local community have joined the LiveNet club
as peer mentors, helping young people to learn together and feel part of (9) ____ one community. Key topics
(10) ____ as part of the club include e-safety and safe social networking, using ICT, having fun and keeping
healthy.
1. A. independent B. independently C. independence D. dependent
2. A. ability B. disability C. abilities D. disabilities
3. A. which B. that C. these D. those
4. A. confident B. confidential C. confidence D. confide
5. A. in B. with C. for D. from
6. A. which B. that C. who D. whom
7. A. to B. in C. for D. on
8. A. what B. how C. where D. when
9. A. this B. that C. the D. its
10. A. to run B. running C. ran D. run
IX. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of
the questions.
 Clarissa Barton, called Clara, was born in 1821 in Oxford, Massachusetts. At a time when relatively few
women worked outside the home, Barton built a career helping others. One of her greatest accomplishments was
founding the American Red Cross. This organization helps victims of war and disasters.
Clara Barton taught school for many years. In 1854, she moved to Washington, D.C., and took a job in
the government patent office. She was probably the first woman to hold a government job!
When the Civil War began in 1861, Barton volunteered. She gathered supplies to help feed and care for
wounded soldiers. She also served as a nurse. Barton possessed excellent organizing skills and knew how to get
things done. After the Civil War ended in 1865, Barton took on the job of locating soldiers who were missing.
She ran an office that tracked down information on nearly 22,000 men and contacted their families.
Barton took her organizational skills to Europe in 1869. She worked with the International Red Cross to
set up hospitals during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) between France and Germany. Barton returned to
the United States in 1873.
The Red Cross was founded in Switzerland in the 1860s to care for wounded soldiers during wartime.
Nations agreed to follow its policies on the treatment of wounded soldiers by signing a treaty. Barton spent
years pushing the United States Congress to approve the International Red Cross treaty. In 1881, she finally won
support for creating the American Red Cross. Barton served as president of the organization until 1904.
In 1884, Barton attended an International Red Cross conference in Switzerland. As a result of her efforts,
the Red Cross expanded its activities. From helping only victims of war, it began also to help victims of
peacetime disasters, such as earthquakes and floods.
Barton's efforts comforted people around the world. Red Cross aid helped people in need during
epidemics (outbreaks of disease), floods, famines, and war. Barton became famous for her work.
Clara Barton died in Maryland at the age of 91. She had spent her life helping others.
1. Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. Clarissa Barton B. the American Red Cross C. The Red Cross D. wounded soldiers
2. What did Clara Barton NOT do when she was alive according to the passage?
A. founding the American Red Cross B. chairing Red Cross conferences
C. holding a government job D. caring for wounded soldiers
3. The phase "tracked down" in the passage almost means ____.
A. gathered B. analyzed C. searched D. stored
4. How long did Clara Barton work for the American Red Cross?
A. 7 years B. 44 years C. 24 years D. 4 years
5. The word "comforted” in the passage almost means ____.
A. make someone feel less unhappy B. help someone feel less disappointed
C. help someone realize their dreams D. make someone believe in themselves
X. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of
the questions.
The grantees of the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program showed their strength by
providing education, skills, food and resources to a diverse group of residents and food insecure communities
across the nation.
Ten thousand farmers, many disadvantaged, were trained on sustainable agriculture and business
management. Thousands of jobs and micro-businesses supporting the local food system were created, and
customer bases for local agriculture were increased (3,000 + new buyers). Farm-to-cafeteria programs were
created throughout the country providing markets for local farmers.
Nearly 19 million pounds of local, healthy food was distributed to over 2.5 million people, mostly in
low-income neighborhoods across 39 states. With fast food available easily and cheaply for many Americans,
the impact of providing healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be underestimated. Over 1.8 million children
and youth in schools or summer programs ate fresh fruits and vegetables because of farm-to-cafeteria programs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
recipients purchased local produce at farmers markets, and elder food recipients received seasonal fruit and
vegetable shipments from local CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture). These healthy foods provide
recipients with not only the nutrition to stay well, but also instill healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.
This becomes especially important for young children who may be at risk for obesity through the bad habits
learned from a sedentary lifestyle.
Farmland depletion was delayed and local food production enhanced by the CFPs (Community Food
Project) where almost 60,000 acres of land was farmed or preserved. Youth and urban gardeners learned to
grow and prepare their own food through 2,500 community gardens and more than 9,000 garden plots.
Community food system capacity and infrastructure was enhanced through community food
assessments, the formation of food policy councils and networks and the implementation of new policies. More
than 50 million residents lived in the communities where these community-wide changes were made.
Results from the first five years of this food security program could be just a taste of the opportunities to
come for improving the health, environment and economy of this country, when residents of almost every age
are taught about healthy food supply and when they have access to delicious, abundant locally produced fruits,
vegetables and meat.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Food shortages in the entire United States
B. Achievements of several community programs
C. Providing farmland to the needy in the United States
D. The challenges confronted by participants of the community projects
2. On which of the following aspects were 10,000 farmers trained?
A. local food system B. sustainable agriculture C. farms and cafeterias D. customer bases
3. Which of the following is true about 2.5 million people to whom 19 million pounds was distributed?
A. 1.8 million of them are children. B. They suffered from health problems.
C. They have travelled across 39 states. D. They were from low income areas.
4. The word "distributed" in the passage is closest in meaning to ____.
A. shared B. saved C. consumed D. collected
5. According to the passage, why were the healthy foods provided important for young children?
A. They made children run the risk of obesity.
B. They supplied children with nutrients that can last a lifetime.
C. They were supplied by trustworthy community projects.
D. They helped children kick bad habits formed by lack of physical exercise.
6. The word "sedentary" in the passage is closest in meaning to ____.
A. physically active B. physically passive
C. mentally alert D. spiritually depressed
7. The word "depletion" in the passage mostly means ____.
A. expansion B. reduction C. enrichment D. shortage
8. The word "they" in the passage refers to ____.
A. fruits B. vegetables C. residents D. opportunities
9. The food security program is mentioned to benefit all of the following aspects of the country EXCEPT ____.
A. health B. environment C. economy D. education
10. What can be inferred about the food security program?
A. It has been carried out without success for five years.
B. It will gain more achievements in the years to come.
C. It has mainly benefited young residents in the community.
D. It calls for more funds raised from financially advantaged communities