历年（2019）高考英语“阅读理解”真题全文翻译连载(全国卷II阅读理解B）

■安徽 张必成  湖北 刘学英

“You can use me as a last resort (选择), and if nobody else volunteers, then I will do it.” This was an actual reply from a parent after I put out a request for volunteers for my kids’ lacrosse (长曲棍球) club.

I guess that there’s probably some demanding work schedule, or social anxiety around stepping up to help for an unknown sport. She may just need a little persuading. So I try again and tug at the heartstrings. I mention the single parent with four kids running the show and I talk about the dad coaching a team that his kids aren’t even on. At this point the unwilling parent speaks up, “Alright. Yes, I’ll do it.”

I’m secretly relieved because I know there’s real power in sharing volunteer responsibilities among many. The unwilling parent organizes the meal schedule, sends out emails, and collects money for end-of-season gifts. Somewhere along the way, the same parent ends up becoming an invaluable member of the team. The coach is able to focus on the kids while the other parents are relieved to be off the hook for another season. Handing out sliced oranges to bloodthirsty kids can be as exciting as watching your own kid score a goal.

Still, most of us volunteers breathe a sigh of relief when the season comes to a close. That relief is coupled with a deep understanding of why the same people keep coming back for more: Connecting to the community (社区) as you freely give your time, money, skills, or services provides a real joy. Volunteering just feels so good.

In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a selfish act than I’d freely like to admit. However, if others benefit in the process, and I get some reward too, does it really matter where my motivation lies?

【翻译】“实在不行再来找我吧。如果没人去做，我会去的。”这是一位家长的确切答复，在我为自己的儿童曲棍球俱乐部招募志愿者之后。

【翻译】我想，这其中很可能存在一些对一陌生运动的严格的工作安排或社交方面的顾虑。或许她只不过是需要一点思想工作而已。于是我决意对其动之以情，再次试图说服她。我说起一位负责该活动，可同时又是一位有四个孩子的单亲家长；还提到一位父亲，他甚至执教一支没有自己儿子参加的球队。这时，这位先前不太情愿的家长终于开了口：“好吧，好吧。”

【翻译】我暗自松了口气，因为我知道，众人拾柴火焰高。（译者注：多一个帮手就多一分力。自己对团队的后勤工作才能放心。）这位家长负责伙食安排，寄送电邮以及为购置季末礼品募集资金。不知不觉，其最终竟然成了整个团队的中坚分子。如此以来，教练就能够更多地关注孩子们，其他家长也得以腾出手来为下一赛季做准备。给那些运动后饥渴难耐的孩子们分发一片片橙子，一点都不比观看自己的孩子进球少一丝兴奋。

【翻译】尽管如此，赛季结束时，大部分志愿者还是欣慰地松了口气。在欣慰的同时，大家也深深地理解了为什么同样的人会不断地回头参加更多的活动：因为当你自愿提供时间、金钱、技能或服务的同时，参与社区活动也会给你带来真正的快乐。做志愿者活动就是能让人感到身心愉悦。

【翻译】从这种意义上看，尽管有点不愿承认，我不得不说做志愿者活动其实是一种利己的行为。（译者注：承接上文段意——帮助别人的同时，自己感到了巨大的快乐）不过，如果他人在此过程中能够受益，而自己也可以得到一些回报，我的动机何在又有什么重要呢？