In western countries, the young people are more independent ________ their parents.

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In western countries, young people sometimes take a “gap year”, a year off between high school and college.   

Charles Deacon, dean of admissions at Georgetown University in Washington, D. C. says the most common reason is to have a chance to travel.  But he says international 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 who think they want to be doctors, for example, could learn about the profession by volunteering in a hospital for a year.   

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.  

Of course, 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 is the president of the Centre for Interim Programmes.  Her company specializes 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 interest in the idea of a year off.  

And she points out that many gap-year programmes cost far less than a year of college.  

41What would be the best title for the passage?  

A. A year off before college  

B. Better choice for high school students  

C. Time out or burn out  

D. Universities favour a “gap year”  

42. How many reasons are mentioned for high school students to take a “ gap year”  

A.  Two.     B.  Three.     C.  Four.      D. Five.   

43.  Experts support the gap―year projects because _________.   

A. students can be better prepared for college life emotionally and intellectually  

B. students have chances to fully enjoy themselves  

C. colleges and universities save lots of money through the delay of admission  

D. students can be more economically independent by working outside school  

44.  What does Holly Bull think of the idea of a “gap year”?  

A.  It is not suitable for all students.   

B.  It is beneficial for students.   

C.  It does not have practical value.   

D.  It may become a burden for the students’ family.   

45.  From the passage we can conclude that _______.   

A. the biggest concern about a year off for parents is money  

B. Harvard prefers a student with life experiences  

C. the idea of a year off now are not properly guided  

D. students taking a year off now are not properly guided