間隔年這個概念，本來指的是國外高中生畢業後下，先不上大學，間隔一年，在這期間可以去旅遊，去實習，為自己大學選什麼專業、以後從事什麼職業，提前體驗提前規劃。
高考後不趕緊上大學，這在國內激烈的競爭下，幾乎是不可能實現的。倒是很多人在畢業工作幾年後，因為種種原因，會選擇gap year。可能是要再次進修，可能是要創業前期準備，也有可能只是身體原因，因為太累。
但今年是特別的一年，因為疫情原因，幾乎人人都有一段時間不是work from home，就是處於被迫待業的gap year中。
今天我們就來分享關於「間隔年到底值不值得」的話題素材。
雅思口語素材
範文1
I don't think a gap year is worth taking, for the downsides outweigh the benefits.
First of all, it can be expensive and you will need to work for a long time to support yourself. Chances are that you will have to do things you don't like perhaps a low-paying and physically demanding job, which will most likely have limited learning value.
我認為間隔年不值得過，因為弊大於利。首先，它可能是昂貴的，你將需要工作很長一段時間來養活自己。很有可能你將不得不做你不喜歡的事情，也許是一份薪水低、體力要求高的工作，這很可能會限制你的學習價值。
Worse still, you run the risk of not even getting a job and wasting the whole year instead Only those who are proactive and good at making plans can actually make the most of it and achieve some goals.
更糟糕的是，你甚至有可能找不到工作，浪費了整整一年的時間，只有那些積極主動、善於制定計劃的人才能充分利用這些時間，實現一些目標。
Lastly, I fear that taking a year off can make me fall behind my peers in terms of academics. Today's society is highly competitive and I don't want to miss out on opportunities. In conclusion, a gap year may be worth taking for some people, but it is certainly not my cup of tea. I prefer to finish college on time and go straight into the workplace.
最後，我擔心休一年假會讓我在學業上落後於同齡人。當今社會競爭激烈，我不想錯過任何機會。總之，對一些人來說，間隔年可能是值得的，但它肯定不是我的那杯茶。我更願意按時完成大學學業，直接進入職場。
範文2
Given the chance, I would definitely take a year off before college.
There are many reasons. Firstly, a gap year will give me the time to think about what my passion in life really is. Instead of rushing into college and choosing a major that I don't know much about, I can try new things and figure out what I'm really interested in or good at. This will help me make more informed decisions about what to study and what career to pursue.
如果有機會，我一定會在上大學前休息一年。
原因有很多。首先，間隔年讓我有時間思考我對生活的激情到底是什麼。我可以嘗試新事物，找出我真正感興趣或擅長的，而不是匆忙進入大學，選擇一個我不太了解的專業。這將幫助我在學習什麼和從事什麼職業方面做出更明智的決定。
Secondly, taking a gap year will let me experience the real world outside the classroom. I will get to travel the world, experience different cultures, and meet people from various backgrounds broadening my horizons and reshaping my understanding of the world. These are invaluable experiences that college cannot provide me with.
其次，間隔年可以讓我體驗到課堂之外的真實世界。我將去週遊世界，體驗不同的文化，會見來自不同背景的人，拓寬我的視野，重塑我對世界的理解。這些都是大學無法提供給我的寶貴經驗。
Last but not least, taking a year off will help me mature as a person. A year off on the other side of the world will force me to step out of my comfort zone and to learn how to adapt to unfamiliar environments. I would have to cope with everything on my own and take responsibility for myself. Undoubtedly this will prepare me for the challenges that await me later in my life.
最後但並非最不重要的，休息一年將幫助我作為一個人成熟。在世界的另一邊休學一年將迫使我走出自己的舒適區，學習如何適應不熟悉的環境。我將不得不自己處理一切，並為自己負責。毫無疑問，這將使我為以後等待我的挑戰做好準備。
重點詞彙複習：
physically demanding work強度大的體力活
You may have to do physically demanding work if your English is poor.如果你英語不好的話，你可能只能做做體力活。
run the risk of doing sth冒險做某事的風險
You will run the risk of falling behind your peers.你會冒落後於同齡人的風險。
fall behind one's peers落後於同齡人/同伴
I fear that taking a year off can make me fall behind my peers.我擔心休一年假會讓我落後於同齡人。
Taking a year off won’t really make you fall behind your peers.休假一年並不會讓你落後於你的同伴。
miss out on錯失……（機會）
He is missing out on a good career opportunity if he turns down this job offer.如果他拒絕了這份入職邀請，他將會錯失一個非常好的事業發展機會。
one's cup of tea某人喜歡的人/事物（俗話說就是，某人的「菜」）
Traveling alone is his cup of tea, not mine.他喜歡獨自旅遊，我不喜歡。
take a year off 休一年假