It is often said that a person’s high school years are some of the most important they will experience, and are often seen as a critical and life-shaping time. During this period in their life people often begin to discover what is meaningful to them and how they plan to continue living their life. My volunteer experience at St. Clare’s Hospital has helped me form this positive experience during my high school years; through valuable lessons I have learned life skills and have begun to shape my values and mind-set. In the course of my volunteering at the hospital I have discovered how to interact with others, learned to respect diversity, realized the importance of service, and gained perspective. When I first began volunteering, I was very nervous about meeting new people and being pushed outside of my comfort zone. I am learning to introduce myself to new volunteers, go out of my way to make patients feel welcome, and overall how to extend a hand of friendship to others. Not only does this skill apply to my personal life, but will also be extremely helpful in my academic life and the “real world.”

I think one of the most significant values I have gained through my experience at St. Clare’s Hospital is the importance of service. Service, involves making a difference in the lives of others and contributing to the community. Each time I end my volunteer shift, I feel better and as if I have done something worthwhile. This feeling has fueled me to continue volunteering, and has now become something I see as irreplaceable. In the past I have been frustrated by my situation, and was discouraged because I felt I might not make a significant difference due to my young age. However, I am relieved of this because I feel that through the hospital volunteer program I can try to do my part and help others.

I genuinely think that without my volunteer experience at St. Clare’s Hospital, I may have been a different person, lacking these skills and ideals. I have matured and gained valuable skills, as well as learned important lessons about life. Many people my age do not have an experience similar to this, where they are in an environment based only upon healing and helping others, and I think they have truly missed out. I will continue on this path of service throughout my life, and I know that because of my volunteer experience I have benefited, and that these benefits will carry on as I develop and become an adult.

【小题1】According to the passage, why is a person’s high school years important?

A．Because people do volunteer work during this time.

B．Because it is a time to interact with others.

C．Because during this period, people begin to shape their lives.

D．Because it is a time to discover the meaning of volunteering.

【小题2】What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．I realized the importance of service.

B．Each time I end my volunteer job, I feel better.

C．Service is something irreplaceable.

D．I am relieved of frustration.

【小题3】According to the passage, which of the following statement is true?

A．During the author’s high school years he formed the positive experience.

B．When the author first began volunteering, he was excited to meet new people.

C．The author became lacking skills and ideals after volunteering at St. Clare’s Hospital.

D．Many high school students are in an environment based only upon healing and helping others.

【小题4】What sort of person was the author before he began volunteering?

A．Hesitating.

B．Lonely.

C．Generous.

D．Unconfident.

【小题5】What does the author mainly want to tell us in the passage?

A．High school years are the most important period.

B．He missed the experience during his high school years.

C．He has benefited from his volunteer experience at St. Clare’s Hospital.

D．He was pushed outside of his comfort zone when working at St. Clare’s Hospital.