A gap year (also known as year abroad, year out, year off, deferred year, bridging year, time off and time out) is a year during which students take time off and do something other than schooling, such as travel or work. The gap year is most commonly taken after secondary school and before starting university. The practice of taking a gap year developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. During a gap year, a student might travel, engage in volunteer work overseas or undertake a working holiday abroad. In 1978, the Prince of Wales and Colonel John Blashford-Snell began what is now known as Raleigh International by launching 'Operation Drake,' a gap year expedition voyage around the world following Sir Francis Drake's route. The Center for Intermin Programs in the United States was originally founded in 1980 to assist students in making a more effective transition from high school to college. The gap year has grown very popular among students in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. A trend for gap years is to participate in international education programs that combine language study, homestay, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study. The high pressure increasingly leaves students of high school tired out and longing for refreshment. Also, counselors are coming to bless the gap-year option, and colleges increasingly are offering a delayed enrollment option as more and more “gappers” arrive on campus with enhanced motivation and maturity—all of which prepares well foe their undergraduate years in college. In 2010, gap year travel has increased among school, college and university leavers, as this is seen as an attractive option for future career development. 小题1:_______ 小题2:_______ It is a year without schooling. When to take it A secondary graduate usually takes it小题3: ______ How to take it ●小题4:______ ●doing voluntary work overseas ●undertaking a working holiday abroad Famous gap year programs ●小题5:______(the UK) ●the Center for Intermin Programs(the USA) Trend for gap years Participate in 小题6:______: ●language study ●homestay ●cultural immersion ●小题7:______ ●independent study Reasons for its popularity ●Students want to escape小题8:______. ●Colleges want more 小题9:______and mature students. 小题10:______ Gap year travel is an attractive option for future career development.