D．My Hobbies

　　C

　　When I was in high school, I took part in the Upward Bound Program. There I was influenced by the academic (学业的) success of my tutors. Through Upward Bound I was able to gain skills and opportunities that have helped me become the man that I am today. So I now often give back to enable kids to have the same chances at life that I have had.

　　Volunteering is the best payback to those who helped me on the road to success. I remember asking a counselor (指导教师) when I was in Upward Bound how I could repay him. He smiled and said, "Shawn, you can help me by helping another." A statement is so simple, yet so deep in its meaning.

　　When I got my first volunteer position as a junior counselor at my local Boys and Girls Club, I was eager to be a great role model for the kids. But things did not work out as I thought at first. After about a couple of weeks of volunteering, I felt that my efforts were in_vain. It was a slow process and I got disappointed.

　　By the time I had reached my wits end and was ready to quit, I overheard some of the kids asking where I was that day. They said they liked having me around. My desire to give back to the community was renewed by the fact that I made a difference. Now the feeling that I can shape someone's life for the better is amazing.

　　People volunteer for different reasons. I volunteer because I really want to help. But some volunteer for personal gain. Some people think poorly of it. But I don't think so. Despite the fact that they are benefiting from volunteering, so are the people they are helping. So it is a good thing. After all we all win when we volunteer. So I appeal to everyone for finding a cause and volunteering. In this way, you will be not only helping others, but also helping yourself.

　　8．Why did the author decide to volunteer in the first place?

　　A．Because he wanted to gain skills.

　　B．Because he wanted to give back.

　　C．Because he loved playing with kids.

　　D．Because his program required him to do this.

　　9．What did the counselor ask the author to do?

　　A．To help others to repay him.

　　B．To repay him by achieving success.

　　C．To find the meaning of life.

　　D．To help him one day when necessary.

　　10．The underlined part "in vain" in Paragraph 3 probably means "________"．

　　A．useless B．funny

　　C．vital D．amazing

　　11．After hearing the kids' words, the author ________．

　　A．was greatly inspired

B．got deeply disappointed