Digging through cement rubble▼ for hours and finding an infant still alive underneath all the debris is not a job for the weak-hearted▼. But that's just what the men and women who volunteer for the Syrian Civil Defence have signed up for — rescuing people from areas that are being destroyed by ongoing war and bloodshed▼. Known as the White Helmets for their ubiquitous▼ headgear, the group is responsible for saving the lives of more than an estimated 60,000 people since the conflict in Syria started in 2011. The Quran says, "To save a life is to save all of humanity," so it's no wonder that the White Helmets look upon those words as their motto▼.
Their work has been described as the most dangerous job in the world. Many attacks in Syria are "double taps," where an airstrike▼ drops bombs, and then planes come back a while later to drop another, often more deadly barrage▼, on the same spot. These attacks wipe out the first responders to the explosion. After the deep rumbling of detonations▼ has subsided, the White Helmets go to work trying to rescue the victims of the attack regardless of their religion, race, or affiliation▼.
It's this dedication to bravery and the sanctity▼ of human life that earned the White Helmets a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for their continued service in the face of such horror. Made up of ordinary people with no military training like bakers, tailors, teachers, and other Syrian civilians, the 3,000 volunteers of the White Helmets put their lives on the line to save others. They might be the most popular Nobel Prize nominees after garnering support from 133 organizations from around the world.
1. What is another name for the Syrian Civil Defence?
(A) The Nobel Prize.
(B) Double taps.
(C) White Helmets.
(D) The Quran.
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2. How many lives have been saved by the Syrian volunteers?
(A) Over 60,000.
(B) 3,000 civilians.
(C) Around 133.
(D) 2,011 first responders.
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3. According to the second paragraph, what is a "double tap"?
(A) When planes return to drop more bombs on the first responders.
(B) When two people are rescued from the debris by volunteer workers.
(C) When two bombs explode at the same time.
(D) A Syrian expression that means "to rescue someone."
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4. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
(A) Syria has been in violent conflict since 2011.
(B) The Syrian Civil Defence Units are trained military experts.
(C) White Helmets are one of the most popular Nobel Prize nominees.
(D) Working in a war zone makes the volunteers' job the most dangerous in the world.
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