Prime Time 8. Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks, Schulbuch

3 More and more universities allow students … at a later time. 4 Experts believe that a gap year should assist personal development rather than … . 5 Some parents worry that their children might not finish their gap years successfully due to … . 6 Not all people think that it is beneficial to … too much in organising their gap years. b) Discuss the following aspects: • Is a gap year a legitimate way to learn and develop one’s personality? • Which arguments in favour of gap years are put forward in the text? • Which reasons are presented to refute the idea that a gap year is just an excuse to avoid work? • What should be done according to the text in order to make sure that a gap year is not a waste of time? Listening: What to think of gap years You are going to listen to three people talking about gap years and what they think of them. First you will have 45 seconds to study the task below, then you will hear the recording twice. While listening, match the beginnings of the sentences (1–5) with the sentence endings (A–H). There are two sentence endings that you should not use. Write your answers in the boxes provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. 0 Adam felt that it was a good idea … C ✔ A work experience can come in handy later in life. 1 When he was at university Adam soon realised that he … B had to calm down to do a university course. 2 According to Adam it is certainly true that … C to take classes to be well prepared for his university course. 3 Clive thinks that the average person doing a gap year … D does not see it as an advantage for his university course. 4 He thinks that after his gap year he … E would have to study harder than at school. 5 Tim rejects the idea of a gap year because he … F will be able to perform better at university. G a gap year is not a good basis for a career in academia. H does not waste his/her time in a fancy location. Writing: Is a gap year a waste of time? Your school’s English Department has informed you about an essay writing competition. The topic is “Is a gap­ year a waste of time?” The winner will be granted a sixweek holiday in London. You have decided to take part. In your essay you should: • describe the impact on people’s careers • analyse the effect on one’s personality • discuss the changes to the relationship with friends and family Give your essay a title . Write around 400 words . 3 4.2 4 117 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv