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Being the head of a high school for many years, I grew tired of budget meeting, funding cuts, and
many other administrative chores (杂务). I started to dream of retirement. Sitting in traffic on a weekday
morning, I would find my mind wandering, I would imagine spending time with my grandchildren, quiet
evenings with my wife, traveling, or rediscovering some great books. I told myself that I wouldn't sign
myself up for any committees, any classes, or anything requiring a schedule.
My first day of retirement came at last! I cooked a great breakfast for my wife and me, leisurely read
the paper, cleaned a bit of the house, and wrote a few letters to friends. On the second day, I cooked
breakfast, read the paper. On the third day, … This is retirement? I tried to tell myself that it was just the
transition (过渡), that those golden moments were right round the corner, and that I would enjoy them
soon enough. But something was missing. A former colleague asked a favor. A group of students were
going to Jamaica to work with children in the poorest neighborhoods. Would I interrupt my newfound
"happiness" and return to the students, just this once? One trip. That's all, my bags were packed and by
the door. The trip was very inspiring. I was moved not only by the poverty I saw but also by the sense
of responsibility of the young people on the trip. When I returned home, I offered to work one day a week
with a local youth organization. The experience was so positive that I was soon volunteering nearly
full-time, working with students across North America to assist them in their voluntary work.
Now, it seems,the tables have turned. Some days I am the teacher, other days I am the student. These
young people have reawakened my commitment (责任感) to social justice issues by challenging me to
learn more about the situation in the world today, where people are still poor and suffer because of greed,
corruption and war, Most important, they have given me the opportunity to continue to participate in helping
to find solutions. In return, I help them do their charitable projects overseas. I've gone from running one
school to helping oversee the construction of schools in twenty-one countries!
1. What did the writer expect to do after he retired?
A. To stay away from busy schedules.
B. To write some great books.
C. To do some voluntary work
D. To plan for his future.
2. Why did the writer decide to go to Jamaica?
A. He missed his students in that country.
B. He couldn't refuse his colleague's favor.
C. He was concerned about the people there.
D. He was not satisfied with his retired life.
3. The underlined part "the tables have turned" (Paragraph 5) means that the writer _____.
A. improved the situation in his school
B. felt happy to work with students again
C. became a learner rather than a teacher
D. changed his attitude toward his retired life
4. What does the writer think of his retired life now?
A. Disappointing
B. Troublesome
C. Promising
D. Meaningful

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