歷年（2019）高考英語“閱讀理解”真題全文翻譯連載(全國卷II閱讀理解B）

■安徽 張必成  湖北 劉學英

“You can use me as a last resort (選擇), 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 (長曲棍球) 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 (社區) 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?

【翻譯】“實在不行再來找我吧。如果沒人去做，我會去的。”這是一位家長的確切答復，在我為自己的兒童曲棍球俱樂部招募志愿者之后。

【翻譯】我想，這其中很可能存在一些對一陌生運動的嚴格的工作安排或社交方面的顧慮。或許她只不過是需要一點思想工作而已。于是我決意對其動之以情，再次試圖說服她。我說起一位負責該活動，可同時又是一位有四個孩子的單親家長；還提到一位父親，他甚至執教一支沒有自己兒子參加的球隊。這時，這位先前不太情愿的家長終于開了口：“好吧，好吧。”

【翻譯】我暗自松了口氣，因為我知道，眾人拾柴火焰高。（譯者注：多一個幫手就多一分力。自己對團隊的后勤工作才能放心。）這位家長負責伙食安排，寄送電郵以及為購置季末禮品募集資金。不知不覺，其最終竟然成了整個團隊的中堅分子。如此以來，教練就能夠更多地關注孩子們，其他家長也得以騰出手來為下一賽季做準備。給那些運動后饑渴難耐的孩子們分發一片片橙子，一點都不比觀看自己的孩子進球少一絲興奮。

【翻譯】盡管如此，賽季結束時，大部分志愿者還是欣慰地松了口氣。在欣慰的同時，大家也深深地理解了為什么同樣的人會不斷地回頭參加更多的活動：因為當你自愿提供時間、金錢、技能或服務的同時，參與社區活動也會給你帶來真正的快樂。做志愿者活動就是能讓人感到身心愉悅。

【翻譯】從這種意義上看，盡管有點不愿承認，我不得不說做志愿者活動其實是一種利己的行為。（譯者注：承接上文段意——幫助別人的同時，自己感到了巨大的快樂）不過，如果他人在此過程中能夠受益，而自己也可以得到一些回報，我的動機何在又有什么重要呢？