(38)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 34 to 38.

People volunteer for different reasons, but probably most of us volunteer in order to try to improve life for others. (34) _______, generosity brings a reward. It seems that volunteers can expect to benefit themselves as well! In the past few years, studies have shown that people who volunteer typically (35) _______ greater levels of self-esteem than those who don’t. Similarly, their overall health and well-being also improves. People who volunteer regularly today may live longer in the future, and they tend to suffer from (36) _______ diseases - although of course there are no guarantees! Partly, these health benefits are due to the extra exercise, as volunteers are usually fairly active people.

What’s more, it seems that we generally enjoy making others happy, (37) _______ in turn boosts our energy and fitness levels. So how much time should we volunteer for? Some studies suggest that we need to volunteer for at least 100 hours a year to enjoy the full advantages. At the end of our first year of volunteering, we will have (38) _______ our own lives for the better, too.