I remember the day during our first week of class when we were informed about our semester（学期） project of volunteering at a non-profit organization．When the teacher introduced us to the different organizations that needed our help，my last choice was Operation Iraqi Children （OIC）．My first impression of the organization was that it was not going to make enough of a difference with the plans I had in mind．
我记得在开学的第一周那天，我们被告知本学期的项目是在一个非营利组织做志愿者。当老师向我们介绍需要我们帮助的不同组织时，我最不愿选择的是伊拉克儿童行动（OIC）。我对这个组织的第一印象是，它不会对我心中的计划产生足够的影响。

Then，an OIC representative gave us some details，which somewhat interested me．After doing some research， I believed that we could really do something for those kids．When I went online to the OIC website，I saw pictures of the Iraqi children．Their faces were so powerful in sending a message of their despair（绝望） and need that I joined this project without hesitation．We decided to collect as many school supplies as possible，and make them into kits——one kit，one child．
然后，一个OIC的代表给了我们一些详细信息，这让我有些感兴趣。经过一番调查后，我相信我们真的可以为那些孩子做些事情。当我上网查看OIC的网站时，我看到了伊拉克儿童的照片。他们的面孔强烈地传达了他们的绝望和需求，这让我毫不犹豫地加入了这个项目。我们决定尽可能多地收集学习用品，并将它们做成一套一套的——每套对应一个孩子。

The most rewarding day for our group was project day，when all the efforts we put into collecting the items finally came together．When I saw the various supplies we had collected，it hit me that every kit we were to build that day would eventually be in the hands of an Iraqi child．Over the past four months，I had never imagined how I would feel once our project was completed．While making the kits，I realized that I had lost sight of the true meaning behind it．I had only focused on the fact that it was another school project and one I wanted to get a good grade on．When the kits were completed，and ready to be sent overseas，the warm feeling I had was one I would never forget．
我们小组最有成就感的一天是项目日，那一天我们所有收集物资的努力终于汇聚在一起。当我看到我们收集的各种物资时，我意识到我们当天要制作的每一个工具包最终都会到达伊拉克儿童手中。在过去的四个月里，我从未想象过我们项目完成后我会有怎样的感受。在制作工具包时，我意识到我已经失去了其真正意义的视野。我只关注这是又一个学校项目，我想在上面取得好成绩。当工具包完成，并准备寄往海外时，我有了一种温暖的感觉，这是我永远不会忘记的。

In the beginning，I dared myself to make a difference in the life of another person．Now that our project is over，I realize that I have affected not only one life，but ten．With our efforts，ten young boys and girls will now be able to further their education．
一开始，我勇敢地试图改变另一个人的生活。现在我们的项目结束了，我意识到我不仅影响了一个人的生活，还影响了十个人。通过我们的努力，现在有十个年轻男孩和女孩能够继续接受教育。

24.How did the author feel about joining the OIC project in the beginning？
A. It would affect his/her initial plans．
B. It would involve traveling overseas．
C. It would not bring him/her a good grade．
D. It would not live up to his/her expectations．
答案：D

1. What mainly helped the author change his/her attitude toward the project？
   A. Images of Iraqi children． B. Research by his/her classmates．
   C. A teacher’s introduction． D. A representative’s comments．
   答案：A

2. The author’s OIC project group would help ten Iraqi children to__．.
   A. become OIC volunteers B. further their education
   C. study in foreign countries D. influence other children
   答案：B

3. What can we conclude from this passage？
   A. One’s potential cannot always be underrated．
   B. First impression cannot always be trusted．
   C. Actions speak louder than words．
   D. He who hesitates is lost．
   答案：B