EduCareer

Volunteering Changed My Life

B1 (Intermediate)Reading

Volunteering Changed My Life

Read how volunteering gave a young man a sense of purpose. A B1 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.

Volunteering Changed My Life
LevelB1 (Intermediate)Words254Reading time3 min

When Yusuf was a university student, he had a lot of free time but very little direction. He spent most of his days playing video games and scrolling through his phone. He was not unhappy exactly, but he felt that something was missing from his life. Then, almost by accident, he found something that would change everything.

One afternoon, a friend asked him to help at a local centre that taught reading to adults who had never had the chance to go to school. Yusuf agreed, mostly to be polite. He did not expect to enjoy it. But when he saw the determination on the face of a fifty-year-old man learning to write his own name for the first time, something inside him changed.

Yusuf began volunteering every week. The work was not always easy, and progress was often slow, but he found it deeply rewarding. He realised that he had skills that could genuinely help other people. Through volunteering, he became more confident, made new friends and discovered a sense of purpose he had never felt before. Today, Yusuf works full-time for an education charity. He often tells students that giving your time to others is not only good for them; it can transform your own life as well.

Key words
  • direction – a clear purpose or aim in life
  • determination – the quality of trying hard to achieve something
  • rewarding – giving satisfaction or a good feeling
  • purpose – the reason for doing something; a sense of meaning
  • charity – an organisation that helps people in need

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.How did Yusuf spend his time as a student?
"He spent most of his days playing video games and scrolling through his phone."
2.How did he feel about his life?
"he felt that something was missing from his life."
3.What did his friend ask him to do?
"a friend asked him to help at a local centre that taught reading to adults."
4.Why did Yusuf first agree to help?
"Yusuf agreed, mostly to be polite."
5.What moment changed something inside him?
"when he saw the determination on the face of a fifty-year-old man learning to write his own name for the first time."
6.What did volunteering give Yusuf?
"he became more confident, made new friends and discovered a sense of purpose."
7.What does "rewarding" mean?
Rewarding means giving satisfaction or a good feeling.
8.What does Yusuf tell students today?
"giving your time to others is not only good for them; it can transform your own life as well."

Want feedback from a real tutor on your reading, writing and speaking?

Book a Free Consultation
Scroll to Top