Problema 1 · Inglés PAU Murcia Extraordinaria 2025

Volunteerism

Volunteering brings happiness and a sense of achievement to those involved. It helps acquire unique skills and boost self-confidence, potentially opening new career opportunities. A 2018 study on ResearchGate supports this, finding that volunteering improves self-worth and life satisfaction over time. Kate Edwards, director of one of the British voluntary associations, states: “Volunteering is a great way of standing out from the crowd. By demonstrating that you take part in meaningful activities in your spare time, you will show an employer that you are a well-rounded person with some interesting life experience.” Numerous volunteering opportunities exist for young people.

Education without borders. There are countless opportunities to volunteer as a teacher, both locally and internationally. Volunteering in education involves taking on responsibilities similar to those of a teacher and a principal, including organising lesson plans, assignments, or tests. Opportunities can be found in online teaching platforms, local schools, or educational programs in developing countries. Additionally, teaching children or young adults can provide invaluable experience for future careers in education, teamwork, or charitable work.

Learning through giving. Individuals interested in volunteering to help the elderly can collaborate with local nursing homes or offer assistance directly to seniors in their community to shop for groceries, prepare meals, or assist with household chores. Alternatively, they could commit to making regular check-in calls to elderly individuals. The opportunities to volunteer with seniors are vast and become more apparent with further exploration.

If there is uncertainty about volunteering, joining a team that assists the elderly for a few hours each week could be a worthwhile option. This involvement provides a firsthand experience of how such efforts can bring personal achievement while also making the elderly feel appreciated and important.

Empathy in action. Animal shelters frequently seek volunteers for tasks such as cleaning cages, feeding, training animals, or walking dogs and playing with cats. Animal enthusiasts also have the chance to adopt, care for, or train pets at their homes. Volunteers can also assist in rescuing and caring for injured animals, including birds, dogs, and turtles. This may necessitate a volunteer with a vehicle to locate and transport these animals to a veterinarian.

How to choose the right volunteer roles. When exploring volunteer opportunities, it is essential to take the time to find the best fit. It is also advisable to carefully consider activities that align with personal preferences, such as working with groups or individuals, caring for children or the elderly, and interests in environmental or animal welfare causes.

Reflecting on motivations for volunteering (whether it is to expand one's network, enhance communication skills, or explore new places) is also important. Moreover, evaluating personal skills and interests helps ensure they align with the chosen volunteer work and the time available for commitment.

Last but not least, it is necessary to verify the reputation of the organisation and confirm that its mission upholds strong values. Additionally, volunteers should assess the types of support offered to them by the involved parties, including training and administrative assistance, to ensure a high-quality volunteer experience.

SECTION I: READING COMPREHENSION

1. Read the text and, for items 1.1 and 1.2, choose the best option (A, B, or C) and copy the corresponding letter onto your answer sheet. Then, decide whether statements 1.3 and 1.4 are true or false and find a text fragment which confirms your answer in either case. Write "TRUE" or "FALSE" plus the fragment (one or two lines maximum) on your answer sheet. [Score: 4 items x 4 marks = 16 marks]

1.1.

Volunteers

1.2.

In education, volunteers

1.3.

To do volunteer work with animals, volunteers need a driving license.

TRUE

FALSE

1.4.

To ensure the best experience, volunteers should consider their reasons to do volunteer work.

TRUE

FALSE