You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Many young people choose to take a year out between finishing school and starting university in order to gain work experience or to travel. The experience of non-academic life this offers benefits the individual when they return to education.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

MODEL ANSWER:

It is generally believed that those students who take a year gap after completion of their schooling benefit a lot when they join a university. Although the trend has potential benefits, I feel, in the current situation, it is irrational to follow.

The predominant reason why I disagree to the notion is because of the fact that the world is becoming more competitive. To be clearer, the primary objective of today’s education is to gain a job, and students have to work harder and faster than the previous years to reach their goals. If a year is spent either to gain work experience or to travel, those students who pursue the education without a break would snatch the existing opportunities, and those who delay the completion of graduation would suffer badly.

The second reason why I hesitate to agree is because of the probability of underperformance when they join the university. To be precise, many students who take a year gap during this time are seen facing difficulty in pursuing their education smoothly. There are many incidents when students discontinue their university studies and join a career which is less promising for them in future.

I need to admit that the idea of taking a break between the school and university is good in case of gaining invaluable experience, which are very essential for an individual. However, the world has become more complex and unsafe for students at this age to do so. Therefore it is better for them to have this experience once they complete their university education.

To conclude, although taking one year out between finishing school and joining university for gaining work or travel experience can benefit the student, I believe, in the present world of cut-throat competition and uncertainty, making it practical is not easy enough.

Word count: 300