More students than ever before are taking a gap year (间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated (起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.
This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible.” he said.
But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship—young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to £ 15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.
1.What do we learn about the gap year from the text?
A.It is flexible in length. B.It is a time for relaxation.
C.It is increasingly popular. D.It is required by universities.
2.According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year .
A.are better prepared for college studies
B.know a lot more about their future jobs
C.are more likely to leave university in debt
D.have a better chance to enter top universities
3.How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?
A.He’s puzzled. B.He’s worried.
C.He’s surprised. D.He’s annoyed.
4.What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?
A.Attend additional courses. B.Make plans for the new term.
C.Earn money for their education. D.Prepare for their graduate studies.
I used to believe in the American Dream, which meant a job, a mortgage (按揭), credit cards, success. I wanted it and worked toward it like everyone else, all of us____chasing the same thing.
One year, through a series of unhappy events, it all fell____I found myself homeless and alone. I had my truck and $ 56. I____the countryside for some place I could rent for the____possible amount. I came upon a shabby house four miles up a winding mountain road____the Potomac River in West Virginia. It was____, full of broken glass and rubbish. I found the owner, rented it, and_____________.
The locals knew nothing about me,____slowly, they started teaching me the____of being a neighbor. They dropped off blankets, candles, and tools, and began____around to chat. They started to teach me a belief in a____American Dream—not the one of individual achievement but of____
What I had believed in, all those things I thought were____for a civilized life, were nonexistent in this place.____on the mountain, my most valuable possessions were my____with my neighbors.
Four years later, I moved back into____I saw many people were having a really hard time,____their jobs and homes. I managed to rent a big enough house to_______________________________________________________________________________if we hadn’t banded together.
The American Dream I believe in now is a shared one. It’s not so much about what I can get for myself; it’s about____we can all get by together.
1.A.separately B.equally C.violently D.naturally
2.A.off B.apart C.over D.out
3.A.crossed B.left C.toured D.searched
4.A.fullest B.largest C.fairest D.cheapest
5.A.at B.through C.over D.round
6.A.occupied B.abandoned C.emptied D.robbed
7.A.turned B.approached C.cleared D.cut
8.A.but B.although C.otherwise D.for
9.A.benefit B.lesson C.nature D.art
10.A.sticking B.looking C.swinging D.turning
11.A.wild B.real C.different D.remote
12.A.neighborliness B.happiness C.friendliness D.kindness
13.A.unique B.expensive C.rare D.necessary
14.A.Up B.Down C.Deep D.Along
15.A.cooperation B.relationships C.satisfaction D.appointments
16.A.reality B.society C.town D.life
17.A.creating B.losing C.quitting D.offering
18.A.put in B.turn in C.take in D.get in
19.A.yards B.shelters C.camps D.cottages
20.A.when B.what C.whether D.how
It’s terrible. My car break down just as we were going on our holiday.
A.might B.would C.could D.must
—What makes you so unhappy?
— .
A.Because I’ve put on weight
B.Putting on weight
C.For I’ve lost some weight
D.Because of my putting on weight
In my opinion, the idea of a family is much narrower than for many of us.
A.that used to be B.it is used to
C.it was used to D.it used to be
Luckily, the loss _______ great; otherwise, our company would have closed down.
A.isn’t B.hadn’t been C.hasn’t been D.wasn’t
