英语课程计划-International Volunteer Day

Come on everybody. Get up and do something. December the 5th is International Volunteer Day. This highly¹ important day was started by the United Nations in 1985. Its aim is twofold: first, to thank volunteers around the world for giving their time to help others; and second, to encourage other people to do voluntary work. Without volunteers, many people around the world would be worse off. In fact, the whole world would be a darker place. Volunteers help other people and help animals, the countryside, the environment and many more things that are so important to us. The UN urges governments around the world to take measures to heighten² awareness³ of the important contribution of volunteering.

There are thousands of volunteer organizations around the world. Some of them are very famous. Perhaps everyone has heard of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), the Peace Corps⁴, and Muslim Aid. A search on the Internet will pretty much give you a volunteer group on anything or anyone you want to help. You don’t need to join a worldwide group to be a volunteer. Most voluntary work that takes place around the globe is by individuals helping⁵ their neighbours. We have probably all gone out of our way to help someone less fortunate. The great thing about voluntary work is that it makes you feel like a better person. So please, on this International Volunteer Day, think about how you can help, and offer your services.

1 highly   

adv.高度地，极，非常；非常赞许地

参考例句：

• It is highly important to provide for the future.预先做好准备非常重要。
• The teacher speaks very highly of the boy's behaviour.老师称赞这个男孩的表现。

2 heighten   

vt.加高，提高，增高；增加，增大，加强

参考例句：

• A weakened immune system does not heighten the risks of catching a cold.一个弱免疫系统是不会增加感冒的感染可能性的。
• We must however heighten our vigilance.但是我们应当提高警惕。

3 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

4 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。