A “Gap Year” is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills.
Gap years are popular with European and Australian students, but remain less popular in America. However, in recent years, more and more American students are preparing for college by taking a gap year. The advantages of taking a gap year are as follows：
Learn about the World and Yourself
Although you don’t have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better.
Face Challenges and Have Fun
A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation_, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn^’t always easy, but it is an important part of growing up. Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun.
Save Money and Improve Your College Admission Chances
There^’s a common thought that gap years are only for rich students_, but it’ s not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save your money. Gap year students often take a part-time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college. Clear learning goals ran keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money playing.
Imagine an admission officer trying to admit (录取) only one between two students. Both of them are excellent and have high grades. However, one student has much practical experience or has volunteered in his vacation. Who do you think the admission officer will choose?
【小题1】A “Gap Year” means       in the passage.

A．going abroad in a year for further education

B．travelling around the world in a year

C．taking a break before going to a university

D．doing a part-time job to make money during a vacation

【小题2】Besides having fun, gap year students have to face the        .

A．money	B．information
C．vacations	D．challenges

【小题3】Having a gap year may make you       .

A．become very rich	B．remain less popular
C．experience foreign cultures	D．have no chance to break

【小题4】The last sentence implies(暗含) that       will probably be admitted by the admission officer.

A．either of the two students

B．the student with high grades

C．neither of the two students

D．the .student with a gap year experience

“I don’t like my parents. They __36▲_ tell me I should do this, and I should not do that. It sometimes makes me angry.” Said Hang Hua, a middle school student in Nanjing. Do you have the same _37▲__? Why does it seem that some parents are so __38▲__ in their children’s eyes?

Since(自从……以来) you were born, your parents have worried about everything about you. They __39▲__ about your choice(选择) of friends, the food you eat, your work at school, __40▲__ sleep you get, etc. All these things are part of your life. They want you to grow up __41▲__ and happily.

So how can you __42▲__ things easier on yourself? It’s easier __43▲__ you think. Just let your parents know what you’re doing. Get them to know your friends. Call them if you stay somewhere else __44▲__ than usual. Say __45▲__ to them when you are wrong. Take responsibility(责任) for what you have done. Talk about your ideas with them. They may talk about __46▲__ with you. Most of all, try __47▲__ them. They are still __48▲__ being parents and need your help, too. Someday, when you become a parent, they may give you __49▲__ on how to get on with your __50▲__.

1.	A．never B．hardly C．always D．sometimes

 

2.	A．result B．habit C．way D．problem

 

3.	A．happy B．friendly C．beautiful D．serious

 

4.	A．worry B．talk C．think D．hear

 

5.	A．how much B．how many C．how long D．how many hours

 

6.	A．quickly B．healthily C．slowly D．early

 

7.	A．stay B．believe C．look after D．make

 

8.	A．as B．till C．than D．when

 

9.	A．earlier B．later C．shorter D．sooner

 

10.	A．hello B．no C．sorry D．yes

 

11.	A．theirs B．them C．themselves D．their

 

12.	A．to understand B．to leave C．to care D．to forget

 

13.	A．practice B．practicing C．plan D．planning

 

14.	A．medicine B．rest C．vacation D．advice

 

15.	A．friends B．parents C．children D．teachers