A"Gap Year" is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills. It's very popular in foreign countries.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

 Although you don't have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn't always easy, but it is an important part of growing up. Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

 There's a common thought that gap years are only for rich students, but it's not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save your money. Gap year students often take a part-time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college. Clear learning goals can keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money playing.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

 Imagine an admission officer trying to admit(录取) only one between two students. Both of them are excellent and have high grades. However, one student has much practical experience or has volunteered in his vacation. Who do you think the admission officer will choose?{#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

    Pablo and I were walking home from playing football. On the way, I told him that our school needed {#blank#}1{#/blank#}football team. At once, Pablo suggested, “Why not run for（竞选）class president so that you can set one up?”

    “Who would want {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (I)?” I asked, surprised at the idea.

    Pablo made a list of reasons: I was the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (good) student of all in sports and lessons; I was {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(friend) to everyone. When I told him running for president would be much work, he {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (promise) that he would help me.

    I did run, and Pablo did help me. First, we made posters to hang in the hallway. Next, Pablo helped me {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(write) a speech about why I'd make a good class president.

    The big day came. I gave my speech in front of the whole grade, promising my {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (classmate) that if they chose me, I'd start a football team.

    As Pablo and I nervously waited {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the results, I was told that my speech was so successful {#blank#}9{#/blank#} I was the right person to be class president.

    Now we went {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (happy) to Coach Simpson and asked how I could start our new football team.

    Mr Brown's horse was lost at night. All of his friends were very {#blank#}1{#/blank#} to hear that and came to see him together. After {#blank#}2{#/blank#}（听） his story, one of them said, “Why didn't you close the door of the stable(马厩) last night?” “You aren't a deaf man”, the second said. “Didn't you {#blank#}3{#/blank#}anything at that moment? The thief(小偷) must {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(赶走) the horse away out of the gate, and couldn't carry it on {#blank#}5{#/blank#} back.” “I agree with you,” said the third man. “How {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(careful) you are! Every evening before I {#blank#}7{#/blank#} to bed, I lock my stable first and put the key in my box. Why didn't you do so?”The more they said, the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}excited they became. At last Mr Brown couldn't stand any more and said {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(angry), “None of you would help me look for my horse or catch the thief. Do you think that it's all my fault(错误）?{#blank#}10{#/blank#} don't you blame(责备) the thief?”

    Twenty years ago, I drove a taxi for a living. One time in the middle of the night, an old lady in her 80s {#blank#}1{#/blank#} . She gave me an address, and then asked, “Could you {#blank#}2{#/blank#}?”

    “It's not the shortest way,” I answered quietly .

    “Oh, I don't mind,” she said. “I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice(临终医院). I {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The doctor says I don't have very long.”

   I quickly reached over and shut off the meter(计价器). For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She{#blank#}4{#/blank#}where she had once worked, the neighborhood where she had lived, the place where she danced as a girl. As sun {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, we got to the hospice.

    “How much should I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

    “Nothing ” I said.

    “You have to{#blank#}7{#/blank#} ” she answered.

    “Oh, there are other passengers,” I answered.

    “You gave an old woman some moment of happiness”. She said: “Thank you.”

    I drove into the fine morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of closing of a life. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought.  For the rest of the day, I {#blank#}8{#/blank#}. What if that woman had got an unfriendly drive, or one who was impatient to his shift? What if I had refused to take the run?

    John Allen, an American scientist once said, "The Internet is the world's largest library, but all the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} in it are on the floor!" What he meant is that the Internet is full of information but it can be difficult to find what you {#blank#}2{#/blank#} need.

    The Internet has another disadvantage. Anyone can build a website, so you can {#blank#}3{#/blank#} websites about whatever you can imagine. Unfortunately, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} lot of information on them is not always true.

    At the same time, the Internet provides many other things. On some websites, you can download music and films. They are usually very {#blank#}5{#/blank#} and some are even free. On some other websites, you can connect with people from all over the world. And there are some great online shops，too. For example，on eBay people sell used clothes, CDs, and even cars {#blank#}6{#/blank#}very low prices.

    It is true that the Internet has made {#blank#}7{#/blank#} lives more convenient. But we should not {#blank#}8{#/blank#} too much on it. Whether you love it {#blank#}9{#/blank#} hate it, though, you'd better get used to {#blank#}10{#/blank#} because it is right here to stay.