Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

Firstly, the most common reason for not volunteering is lack of free time (about half of Americans cite this as the main reason), and is that the volunteer schedules and commitments are too inflexible. Therefore, a possible solution is to make volunteering more accessible and automatic. If working parents are volunteering, it is most likely at their kids’ schools, which is a location they are already familiar with. Employers could encourage volunteerism on-site or in a proximate location. Organisations could be more flexible in the way they use volunteer work, including work that could be done at home, or during evening or weekend hours.

Secondly, another very common reason is that people don’t have information about where to volunteer, or if they do, the jobs are not meaningful or purposeful. While motivation to volunteer can vary by age, with younger volunteers more motivated by future preparation (such as increasing skills, knowledge, and advancing careers) and older volunteers more likely to cite social values as a reason for volunteering, most people are motivated to volunteer by personal gratification and having a meaningful experience. A solution would be for organisations who use volunteers to make sure they are matching the skills and experience of their volunteers to the roles they have available. Making copies and coffee are certainly not meaningful to most. Some organisations have a short interview process where they discuss the background of the potential volunteer to closely match it to the needs they have.

Adapted from: https://longevity.stanford.edu/three-reasons-why-peopte-dont-volunteer-and- what-can-be-done-about-it/

Question 34: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The benefits of volunteering for personal growth and career development.

B. Common reasons for not volunteering and potential solutions to encourage it. 

C. The importance of matching volunteer skills and experience to available roles.

D. The motivation behind volunteering and how it varies by age.

Question 35: The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to _________.

A. employers B. schools C. kids D. working parents

Question 36: The word “proximate” in paragraph 1 isopposite in meaning to _________.

A. faraway B. clear C. fun D. meaningful

Question 37: How can the lack of free time for volunteering be solved?

A. making copies and coffee for volunteers

B. encouraging volunteerism at kids’ schools for working parents

C. letting parents work during evenings or weekends

D. encouraging parents to volunteer with their children

Question 38: Why are younger volunteers often more motivated than older volunteers?

A. Because they seek meaningful experiences.

B. Because they are more focused on future preparation and career development.

C. Because they prefer to volunteer at familiar places like kids’ schools.

D. Because they lack information about available volunteering opportunities.

Question 39: The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to _________.

A. volunteer B. process C. background D. interview

Question 40: Which of the following is NOT TRUE?

A. Lack of free time is a common reason why one-third of Americans do not volunteer.

B. Organisations should consider the skills and experience of volunteers when assigning roles.

C. Volunteer work should be done more flexibly at home or or during evening or weekend hours.

D. Older volunteers are more likely to use social values as a reason for volunteering.