Unit 4: Volunteering (自学互动平台)
01 Warming Up: Ecological Civilization & Environmental Issues
Match each environmental issue to its corresponding description to reflect on how volunteering builds a greener planet.
Matching: Environmental Challenges
Ecological Civilization (生态文明建设)
What can young volunteers do for our shared natural home?
- Afforestation: Participate in local tree planting programs to combat soil erosion and sandstorms.
- Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Organize clean-up drives on riverbanks, wetlands, and coastal shores.
- Energy Conservation: Promote low-carbon daily transport like cycling and electric public transit.
02 Vocabulary Focus: Charity & Community Support
Examine community relief terminology, review the “the + adjective” language rule, and solve the crossword puzzle.
Language Note: “the + adjective” (表示一类人)
Using the + adjective refers to an entire social group as a whole. Examples: the homeless (无家可归者), the poor (穷困群体), the elderly (老年人), and the disabled (残障人士). These plural noun phrases take plural verbs.
Exercise: Complete the Sentences
Word bank: donated, fundraising, shelter, tinned, volunteer, support, involved, local
- Four hundred dollars has been to the school library book fund.
- The annual charity dinner is a major event for the city art museum.
- They opened an emergency to provide temporary warm housing for the city’s homeless.
- I don’t like soup because fresh home-cooked soup tastes much healthier.
- As a dedicated on the childcare project, I provide a safe environment for the kids.
- I think it is essential to small family stores by shopping locally.
- He has been actively in regional environmental relief projects.
- I’ve just joined the community youth center.
03 Reading: Volunteers Needed! (全球志愿项目)
Explore three international volunteer opportunities, toggle the bilingual translation, and complete the reading quiz.
Look After Pandas in Chengdu
We have openings on our Panda Care program at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Duties include gathering fresh bamboo, fruit, and cleaning pandas’ houses. No prior experience is required as comprehensive training will be given. Shared accommodation will be provided within the research base, and volunteers will be presented with an official souvenir badge.
成都大熊猫繁育研究基地关爱大熊猫项目招募志愿者。工作内容包括采集新鲜竹子、准备水果与清理熊猫圈舍。无需经验，提供培训与基地内住宿，结束时授予纪念徽章。
Teach in Kenyan Summer School
Do you enjoy working with children and sharing your talents? We need volunteer teachers in mathematics, basic computer skills, painting, and handicrafts. Volunteers say: “Teaching in Kenya changed my life and helped me forge global friendships!” Contact coordinator Susan Mallory at mallory@academy3000.com.
肯尼亚暑期学校急需志愿教师，教授数学、计算机技能、绘画及手工艺。志愿者反馈教学经历终身难忘。申请请联系苏珊·马洛里。
Protect Cambodia’s Marine Life
Volunteers are required to protect this delicate marine ecosystem. Tasks include picking up plastic trash on beaches and collecting marine research samples. Volunteers pay their own travel, but beach house accommodation is provided. Applicants must be strong swimmers and hold valid health certificates.
柬埔寨海滩海洋保护项目：清理海滩塑料垃圾并采集研究样本。志愿者自理往返路费，提供海滩木屋住宿。申请人须水性娴熟并持有有效健康体检证明。
Comprehension Matching Quiz
Match each person’s preferences to the best project (A: Panda Care, B: Kenya School, C: Cambodia Marine).
- “I am a certified swimmer who cares deeply about marine ecology and coral reefs.” →
- “I love endangered animals and want to care for wildlife while receiving a souvenir badge.” →
- “I want to teach children mathematics, painting, and computer basics during summer.” →
04 Grammar Focus: The Passive Voice (被动语态)
The passive voice emphasizes the receiver or the result of an action rather than the doer: be + past participle.
Tense Formation Chart
- Simple Present: am/is/are + done
e.g. English is spoken worldwide. - Present Continuous: am/is/are being + done
e.g. The broken road is being repaired now. - Simple Past: was/were + done
e.g. The city was devastated by the earthquake. - Present Perfect: have/has been + done
e.g. All the flood victims have been rescued. - Simple Future: will/shall be + done
e.g. Accommodation will be provided next week.
Grammar Exercise: Put Verbs into Passive Voice
- The whole valley has (flood) since the rain started three days ago.
- Fossil fuels will (replace) by clean solar energy soon.
- This modern eco-car is (make) out of recyclable parts.
- Coral reefs in the bay are (destroy) right now due to warm seas.
- Industrial wastewater must not (dump) into rivers without purification.
05 Chatting: Deciding on Charity Donations
Read the functional discussion on allocating bake sale proceeds and practice sharing volunteer preferences.
Dialogue: Splitting Charity Donations
Useful Speaking Patterns for Volunteering
- Stating your intent: “I’m planning to volunteer at an animal shelter / nursing home this summer.”
- Describing responsibilities: “I will be responsible for tutoring children / cleaning enclosures.”
- Expressing value: “It sounds like a deeply rewarding and worthwhile community cause.”
06 Practical Writing: Consolation Letter Builder (慰问信)
Learn how to express genuine empathy, offer practical assistance, and format a professional consolation letter.
Consolation Letter Parameters
Dear Adam,
I was so terribly sorry to hear the news about the severe hurricane which recently struck your hometown. I saw the footage on the evening news and realize what a stressful time this must be for you and your family.
Please know that you are in our thoughts. If there is anything we can do to help, such as sending supplies or assisting with temporary lodging, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Our volunteer committee is already organizing a relief fundraising event on campus to help support the rebuilding efforts.
Please take care of yourself.
With warmest wishes,
Andre
07 The Pride of China & Forbidden City VR
Read about the legendary Saihanba tree-planting spirit and review the Forbidden City volunteer docent VR dialogue.
The Saihanba Spirit (塞罕坝精神)
Four hundred years ago, Saihanba was a flourishing forest. Overharvesting turned it into a desolate desert by the late Qing Dynasty. In the 1960s, the Saihanba Forest Farm was created, and hundreds of forestry pioneers braved sub-zero temperatures and drought to restore the land.
Through three generations of perseverance, Saihanba was converted into the world’s largest man-made forest plantation. In 2017, it won the UN Champions of the Earth Award, standing as a global emblem of China’s ecological civilization.
VR Episode: Volunteer Docent at the Forbidden City
Tim is touring the Forbidden City with a volunteer docent: