84. Volunteering at the Animal Shelter

Tom had nothing to do this summer. His mom told him that he could not just stay at home. He was also tired of staying at home, so he decided to volunteer. 

He thought about places he could volunteer, the library, the hospital, and the animal shelter. He finally settled on the animal shelter. He loved animals. He owned two cats, three fish, and a pet lizard.

He went to the animal shelter to sign up. He filled out all the forms. Two weeks later he began to volunteer. He assisted people who wanted to adopt animals. Tom had a lot of fun. He was glad he volunteered.

Vocabulary Words

1. Summer – the warmest season of the year
   Tom had nothing to do this summer.

2. Stay – remain in one place
   He could not just stay at home.

3. Volunteer – to work without getting paid to help others
   He decided to volunteer.

4. Library – a place where people borrow books
   He thought about places he could volunteer, the library…

5. Hospital – a place where sick or injured people get treated
   He thought about volunteering at the hospital.

6. Animal shelter – a place that cares for homeless animals
   He finally settled on the animal shelter.

7. Settled – made a final choice or decision
   He finally settled on the animal shelter.

8. Owned – had or possessed something
   He owned two cats, three fish, and a pet lizard.

9. Lizard – a small reptile with a long body and tail
   He owned a pet lizard.

10. Sign up – register to take part in something
    He went to the animal shelter to sign up.

11. Filled out – completed by writing information
    He filled out all the forms.

12. Forms – documents with blank spaces for information
    He filled out all the forms.

13. Began – started
    Two weeks later he began to volunteer.

14. Assist – to help
    He assisted people who wanted to adopt animals.

15. Adopt – to take an animal home and care for it
    He helped people who wanted to adopt animals.

16. People – humans
    He assisted people who wanted to adopt animals.

17. Glad – happy or pleased
    He was glad he volunteered.

18. Thought – considered or had ideas
    He thought about places he could volunteer.

19. Animals – living creatures other than humans
    He loved animals.

20. Fun – enjoyment or amusement
    Tom had a lot of fun.

Comprehension Questions

1. What did Tom have to do during summer?

2. Why didn’t Tom want to stay home?

3. What did his mom say about staying home?

4. What did Tom decide to do instead?

5. What places did Tom consider volunteering at?

6. Which place did he choose to volunteer?

7. Why did Tom choose the animal shelter?

8. What pets did Tom have at home?

9. What did Tom do to sign up at the animal shelter?

10. What kind of forms did Tom fill out?

11. When did Tom start volunteering?

12. What was his job at the animal shelter?

13. What does it mean to “adopt” an animal?

14. Did Tom enjoy volunteering?

15. How did Tom feel after volunteering?

16. What does “settled on” mean in the story?

17. Why is volunteering at an animal shelter important?

18. What does “assisted” mean in the story?

19. What do you think Tom learned from this experience?

20. What lesson can we learn from Tom’s summer choice?