Search
Vocabularying
Listening
Reading
1. Academic
2. General
Writing
1. IELTSWriting Checker
2. IELTS Writing Samples
Speaking

Do you want to improve your writing? Try our new evaluation service and get detailed feedback.

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. 0qBq

Taking a “gap year” off between high school and university has become a popular option among many young people. This time off provides a break after many years of formal study. Some students use this time to travel around the world, others volunteer and still others begin working. The idea behind each of these activities is to do something hands-on and refreshing, which enables young people to learn more about themselves and their place in the world around them. The benefits of taking a year off are plentiful. On a personal level, students who travel away from home develop their independence and self-confidence. On a cultural level, they learn about viewpoints, traditions and perspectives different from their own. Professionally, students get a taste of diverse workplaces, which might inspire a possible career interest. Intellectually, they examine their own beliefs and ideas in relation to those of others in a new environment. All these advantages combine to make a strong case for taking the one-year break. Nevertheless, there are also dangers involved in taking such a long break. Academically, the main drawback is that students can get sidetracked from their studies. A year is a long time and students could lose the good study habits and sense of discipline they had when they were in a formal academic structure. If they begin working, they could also be deluded into thinking that they’re making a lot of money. They could lose the benefit of college or university education and the chance to earn a higher income all their lives. In conclusion, whether to take a year-long break or not is an individual decision. Each young person should consider his or her motivations carefully and decide on what’s most desirable. Time is a precious resource and people of all ages, including young people, should treat it with respect.

Taking a “gap You use this word too often, consider replacing it withperiodbreadthtermmileagespandiameter
year”
 off between high school and university has become a popular option among This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:a plethora ofa number ofnumerous
many
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewbuddingyouthfulinexperienced
young
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withcrowdfamilycommunitynationsocietypublic
people
. This You use this word too often, consider replacing it withpointgenerationpastsecondturnspace
time
 off provides a break after This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:a plethora ofa number ofnumerous
many
 years of formal study. This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:a number of
Some
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withundergraduatescholarpupiljuniorgraduate
students
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :exploit
use
 this You use this word too often, consider replacing it withpointgenerationpastsecondturnspace
time
 to travel around the world, others volunteer and still
 others This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :initiatecommence
begin
 working. The This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :thoughtconceptnotion
idea
 behind each of these activities is to do something hands-on and refreshing, which enables You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewbuddingyouthfulinexperienced
young
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withcrowdfamilycommunitynationsocietypublic
people
 to learn more about themselves and their place in the world around them.

The benefits of taking a You use this word too often, consider replacing it withperiodbreadthtermmileagespandiameter
year
 off are plentiful. On a personal level, You use this word too often, consider replacing it withundergraduatescholarpupiljuniorgraduate
students
 who travel away from home develop their independence and self-confidence. On a cultural level, they learn about viewpoints, traditions and perspectives This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:various
different
 from their This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :possess
own
. Professionally
, You use this word too often, consider replacing it withundergraduatescholarpupiljuniorgraduate
students
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :acquire
get
 a taste of diverse workplaces, which might inspire a possible career interest. Intellectually
, they examine their This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :possess
own
 beliefs and This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :thoughtsconceptsnotions
ideas
 in relation to those of others in a new environment. All these advantages combine to This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :createconstructmanufactureproduce
make
 a strong case for taking the one-year break.

Nevertheless
, there are also
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :hazardsrisks
dangers
 involved in taking such a long break. Academically
, the main drawback is that You use this word too often, consider replacing it withundergraduatescholarpupiljuniorgraduate
students
 can This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :acquire
get
 sidetracked from their studies. A You use this word too often, consider replacing it withperiodbreadthtermmileagespandiameter
year
 is a long You use this word too often, consider replacing it withpointgenerationpastsecondturnspace
time
 and You use this word too often, consider replacing it withundergraduatescholarpupiljuniorgraduate
students
 could lose the This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :beneficialproduct
good
 study habits and sense of discipline they had when they were in a formal academic structure. If they This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :initiatecommence
begin
 working, they could also
be deluded
 into thinking that they’re making This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:a plethora ofa number ofnumerous
a lot of
 money. They could lose the benefit of college or university education and the chance to earn a higher income all their This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :resides
lives
.

In conclusion
, whether to take a year-long break or not is an individual decision. Each You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewbuddingyouthfulinexperienced
young
 person should consider This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:their
his or her
 motivations carefully
 and decide on what’s most desirable. You use this word too often, consider replacing it withpointgenerationpastsecondturnspace
Time
 is a precious resource and You use this word too often, consider replacing it withcrowdfamilycommunitynationsocietypublic
people
 of all ages, including You use this word too often, consider replacing it withnewbuddingyouthfulinexperienced
young
You use this word too often, consider replacing it withcrowdfamilycommunitynationsocietypublic
people
, should treat it with respect. 