People are very social animals. We need to talk with and do things with other people. We often understand ourselves better when we discuss our ideas and activities with other people. We need to make meaningful connections with friends and family. These connections help us forget our failures and worries. We can focus (集中) on things that are important: the people we care about.

Your community is the area near your home. It’s where you work, play and go to school. It is the neighborhood where your family makes connections with other people. It’s the places you feel like you belong (属于) to.

Communities grow and change over time. Families move from one city to another because of work or family situations. Older people often move to smaller homes or vacation areas after their children have grown up. Their children move out to start families of their own. New families move in when others leave.

Basic services, such as police, fire, post office, health and public schools are in almost every community. Businesses provide services to the community, too. Stores sell things that people need. Restaurants sell prepared food. Offices provide lots kinds of skilled work.

The job of the city government is to listen to the people of the community and help them connect. Some people may move on, but the community remains.

1.Are people very social animals?

2.What can these connections help us forget?

3.Why do older people move to smaller homes or vacation areas?

4.What does the passage tell us?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power（力量） of friendship．It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching vulnerable young people (ages 7-17) with a volunteer adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.
Volunteer tutors come from all walks of life—married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed.
A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, doing sports or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop self-respect, confidence and life direction.
Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations can be found throughout the world. It is the largest and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years.
Emily and Sarah have been matched since 2008. Emily is a 15-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. “ I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me.”
Emily’s mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be of benefit to Emily by “providing different feedback about herself other than just depending on schoolmates to measure(测量) her self-worth.
Sarah wanted to get involved(使参与) in a volunteer program. “I googled it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to get involved in making time to do something because sometimes it is all work and no play.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been of great benefit and enjoyment to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful and happy girl she is!
【小题1】According to the passage, “vulnerable young people” are probably those who are   _________.