Topic: Many students choose to take a gap year before starting university, to travel or gain work experience.

Do you think this is a good idea or a waste of time?

Model answer:

The majority of students start their degree in the same year as finishing school or college. Some students, however, choose to take a year out before starting university. In my opinion, this is a very good idea if the time is used wisely in order to gain new skills or knowledge. In the following essay, I will discuss this idea further.

It is very important that, when a gap year is taken, the time is not wasted but used productively. It would not look very impressive to a future employer if the time was simply used to take a break. This does not mean to say that a gap year should not be enjoyed.

Many people choose to go travelling during their gap year. This can be very beneficial to the individual as it exposes them to new ideas and cultures. It can also mean that they are able to learn a new language. Other students decide to gain work experience during this year. This can be particularly useful, especially if connected to their chosen area of study. Often, students who have worked before attending university appreciate their course more, as they are able to understand the relevance of what is being taught.

Overall, therefore, as discussed in this essay, there can be several benefits to taking a gap year. It is very important, however, that this time is used wisely and not wasted. This means that the year needs to be planned carefully in advance to get the most from the experience.

TỪ VỰNG CHỦ ĐỀ “GAP YEAR”

• Broaden one's horizons: mở rộng tầm mắt

• Be well spent: được sử dụng hợp lý

• Find a good match for oneself: tìm kiếm điều gì đó phù hợp với bản thân 

• On the threshold of something: thời điểm bắt đầu cái gì đó mới và thách thức (at the start of a new and important time or development)

• Give more advocacy than rejection to: đồng ý trội hơn không đồng ý 

• This incurs an immense waste of time: tạo ra sự lãng phí thời gian vô cùng lớn 

• Receive the double blow of something and something else: trải qua hai điều bất lợi cùng một lúc (suffer two disadvantages at the same time)

• Live frugally: sống tiết kiệm

• It cannot be gainsaid that: không thể phủ nhận là ... (=It is undeniable/ indisputable)

• Be indebted to someone: mang ơn ai đó

• Practice austerity: sống thắt lưng buộc bụng (have little money and just spend it on sth really necessary)

• Spend time lavishly: tốn thời gian một cách lãng phí