Task 2 · · 18 samples

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.

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Plan your answer

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Ideas to explore

  • Paid work can build responsibility and practical skills while helping young people save for university costs.
  • Travel can broaden perspectives and strengthen confidence through exposure to unfamiliar places and ways of life.
  • A gap year may disrupt study habits or become costly, especially when the young person has no clear plan or budget.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the gap-year choice and state clearly whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.
  2. Explain the main benefits, supporting each with a result for the young person.
  3. Present drawbacks such as interrupted study and expense, explaining when these risks are most likely.
  4. Conclude with a balanced judgement and a practical condition, such as planning goals and costs.
Useful vocabulary & examples
practical skills
Abilities that can be applied in real situations, such as communication or time management.

A part-time job can help school-leavers develop practical skills before university.

academic momentum
The habit and motivation to continue studying regularly.

Returning to university may be harder if a student loses academic momentum during a gap year.

broaden their perspective
Help someone understand a wider range of experiences, ideas or ways of life.

Travel can broaden young people’s perspective by introducing them to different cultures.

a realistic budget
A spending plan based on the money a person is likely to have and their expected costs.

A realistic budget can prevent travel costs from becoming a major problem.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

350 words · Illustrative target band

Nowadays, in many countries, teenagers are suggested to have a gap-year between graduating high school and starting university. Some people argue whether it is time-consuming or helps the young to gain more experience before maintaining an advanced education. This essay will discuss why there are significant benefits which far outweigh the drawbacks. This is firstly because work can provide responsibility and travel …

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AI-completed learning example

349 words · Illustrative target band

The practice of taking a gap year after high school is gaining more grounds. This has both benefits and drawbacks as we shall see. Post-secondary school pause of a year before proceeding to the university can help students re-strategize for a completely new adventure in the terrains of higher institutions. This will help them pick a subject that suits their interests, provided they reflect on what they learn during t…

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AI-completed learning example

351 words · Illustrative target band

Many people are in favor of the international discussion on allowing high school graduates to travel and work. However, there are those with the mindset that education should be a continuous path into university after completing high school. In my opinion, I agree with the mindset of having young adults travel and work, as this can provide experience before they choose a degree. Nevertheless, the year needs a realist…

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