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In Britain and other countries, young people sometimes take a gap year, a year off between high school
and college. This idea never gained a big following in America. Recent news reports have suggested that
interest may be growing , though there are no official numbers.
Charles Deacon, Dean of Admissions at Georgetown University in Washington, DC estimate that in the
current first-year class of 1600 students, only about 25 decided to take a year off. He says this number hasn't
changed much over the years.
Mr.Deacon says the most common reason for taking a gap year is to have a chance to travel, but he says
inernational students may take a gap year to meet requirements at home for military duty.
Some high school graduates see a year off as a chance to recover after twelve years of required education,
but it can also give students a chance to explore their interests. Students hoping to be doctors, for example,
could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital. Many colleges and universities support gap-year
projects by permitting students to delay their admission. Experts say students can grow emotionally and
intellectually as they work at something they enjoy.
The Harvard admissions office has an essay on its Web site called “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next
Generation.” It praises the idea of taking time off to step back, think and enjoy gaining life experiences
outside the pressure of studies. It also notes that students are sometimes admitted to Harvard or other colleges
partly because they did something unusual with that time.
Of couse, a gap year is not for everyone. Students might miss their friends who go on directly to college ,
and parents might worry that their children will decide not to go to college once they take time off. Another
concern is money. A year off, away from home, can be costly.
Holly Bull's job is to specialize in helping students plan their gap year. She notes that several books have
been written about this subject. She says these books along with media attention and the availability of
information on the Internet have increased inerest in the idea of a year off, and she points out that many
gap-year programs cost far less than a year of college.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
A. If you want to go to an American university, take a gap year first.
B. More and more American students are choosing to take a year off.
C. It is likely that taking a gap year is becoming popular in America.
D. Americans hold different opinions towards students taking a gap year.
2. How many reasons for students' taking a gap year are mentioned in passage?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
3. The esssay “time out or burn out for the next generation” suggests that ______.
A. every student must take a gap year before applying for a famous university
B. some famous universities encouage students to gain more life experiences
C. taking a gap year can make students free from life learning
D. the stress of studies does harm to the students' health
4. What can we learn from the passage?
A. Charles Deacon doesn't support the idea of the students' taking a gap year
B. Books and media have contributed to the students' inerest in school learning
C. Parents might disagree with the program, concerned about their children's future.
D. Experts agree taking a year off will benefit the students emotionally and physically.
