A“Gap Year” is a period of time when a student takes a break before going touniversity.It is often spent traveling or working.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.The advantagesof taking a gap year are as follows：

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.Althoughyou don't have to go abroad to experience gap years，most gap year students catch thechance to travel abroad.You are able to work out who you are and what you arefor.The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons.

FaceChallenges and Have Fun.A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation，but also a time to face challenges.Gapyear students usually work，volunteeror take service projects.You have to learn how to get along in the realworld.This process isn't always easy，butit is an important part of growing up.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

            Save Money and Improve Your College Admission Chances.There's a common thought thatgap years are only for rich students，butit isn't true. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.Gap year students often take a part－time job.Besides，at the end of a gap year，students are much more likely to knowwhat to study in college.Clear learning goals can keep the students workinghard instead of wasting time and money playing.

Imaginean admission officer trying to admit only one between two students.Both of themare excellent and have high grades.However，onestudent has much practical experience or has volunteered in his vacation.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    In spite of so many years of education behind us, can we confidently say we understand what it feels like to be a teacher?

    The biggest misunderstanding about teaching jobs is that anyone can be a teacher. In fact, the truth is far from it. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} They also know the teaching theory well. They should know how things should be taught and how one can be inspired to learn. Also, they need to have an idea about classroom management and students' psychology（心理学）.

    Now it can be really annoying for a teacher if someone says teaching is one of the easiest jobs around, because everyone just needs to be taught for a few hours a day. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} However, teachers work longer to come up with ways to make the knowledge appear more interesting to students and help them learn better.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} And this is a big reason why more people decide to choose teaching as a career. However, good teachers choose to make good use of the break, by enrolling (注册) themselves for workshops on teaching, classroom management, and related things.

    All teachers are not the same, as against what is widely believed. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Every teacher is different and has a different approach（方法）to teaching.

 {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A teacher has meetings to attend, and is responsible for (对……负责) organizing school events. An important duty of a teacher is to prepare the progress report of each student and discuss it with his or her parents.

    In a word, teachers ought to be respected for what they do, and we should never forget their great contribution（贡献）to our success in life.

A. A teacher has many things to do rather than just teach.

B. It is true that teachers get a lot more holidays than others.

C. A good teacher is one who motivates students to overcome challenges.

D. To begin with, teachers are people who perform well in their fields of study.

E. A statement that is true for one teacher is not necessarily true for the others.

F. And common people even believe teachers are probably overpaid when their days end at 3 pm.

G. These teachers give all they can to create an ideal learning environment for their students.

Four Ways to Give Truly Meaningful Gifts

    Buying someone you love a gift that expresses your truest feelings isn't always easy. But when you get it right, the joy they show is worth it. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Listen up.

    While you may think it's a great idea to surprise someone by giving them something you think is meaningful, it's best to get them exactly what they have told you. For example, you heard friends say they wanted the newest bike but you bought them a gym membership instead. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So get them what they've specially asked for.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    In the spirit of showing love, we might go big. However, we may not be thinking of what really makes the person happy. You might think buying your father the latest TV is perfect, but then when you get it home, it lights up the living room like a stadium and is totally wrong for the space. So think smart.

    Keep it open.

    Many of us may consider giving cash impersonal（没人情味的）. But this may save you some concern. The receiver can be allowed to choose whatever they want. In a recent survey of over 7,000 Black Friday shoppers, 39 percent said the receiver they were shopping for was “picky（挑剔）”. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Create an experience.

    Visit websites where you can get the latest tickets for a play, buy a surf lesson, or even something unexpected like a flight lesson. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For example, if your kids are into NASCAR, just imagine the look on their faces when you score them a ride at a race car driving school. So give them a time that they will remember to heart.

How to Enjoy Life As a Teen

    Are high school days equal to the "best years of your life"? Maybe not, but you can learn to make the most of your high school days.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Whether it's having a computer, having friends, having a good supply of food, a bed to sleep on, family that loves you, having a decent education or simply being born in this world. Be happy, and life will reward you. Remember that these are the last few years you will be able to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the responsibility of an adult, but make sure you prepare yourself for when you do become one.

    Choose your friends wisely. Unlike what many articles state, you don't have to be popular and have a gazillion friends to be happy. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Try to have friends that like you who you are, not just because you are wearing a certain brand of shoes or something like that. These are people who shop at the same store as you; not someone who will sympathize with you when your dog dies.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Participating in clubs, activities, and sports increases your chances of meeting new friends. While you only need 4 or 5 close friends, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to meet new people. Participating gives you something to do instead of sitting bored at home and wallowing in self-pity.

    You can pursue interests you enjoy. Video games, for example, are good if you're the type who can get into that kind of thing. Use your "hobby time" either to gain practical skills for college apps, job resumes, and scholarships or get into something else in the creative field like painting or dance.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Work at a job you can enjoy. Working is a great way to gain experience and to meet other people. When you do get out of college, interviewing companies will look at your prior work experience. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you can't find work, especially in this hard economic time, volunteer or make your own job.

A. Remember that the point of life is for you to enjoy it.

B. In fact, many of the "friends" you have when you are popular are not true friends.

C. Learn to appreciate small things.

D. Be sociable.

E. This will look great on your resume.

F. This is the time to start developing passions.

G. You should also find a hobby that is meaningful or practical.

Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

    ⒈The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员). {#blank#}2{#/blank#}When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

    ⒉Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you must say no to a child's request to spend money, explain, "You have enough toy trucks for now." Or, if the request is for many different things, say "You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy."

    ⒊{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands(品牌) of a product—a name-brand butter and a generic(一般的), for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase(购买) with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

B. Wise decisions

C. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

D. Tell your child why he can—or cannot—have certain things.

E. The value of money

F. Permit the child to choose between them.

G. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you.

In recent years, more Chinese students have been choosing art school as their first choice when applying for universities overseas, according to the Report on Chinese Students' Overseas Study in 2018. Anyone applying to art school should know that one's portfolio (资历证明材料) is a crucial part of the application process.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Focus on original, recent work. Admissions officers see so many portfolios on a regular basis, so it's important to make yourself stand out as an individual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Presenting work that you've done within the last one or two years also provides a more relevant and accurate portrayal (描述) of your skills.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You don't want to spread yourself too thin, but working with a variety of media and different techniques can convey that you are able to express yourself in diverse ways.

Unless the school requires that only finished work be included in your portfolio, you should include images that reflect the progress of your work.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}It gives admissions officers insight into the thought that has gone into the work.

Make sure that your work shows your true talent.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Remember never try to make up some merits, which will in turn be a mirror of your dishonesty. However, it is always helpful to look at samples of other art portfolios to see their approach.

A. Prepare your portfolio in different languages.

B. Show a wide range of work in your portfolio.

C. Be proud of what you submit and your own strengths.

D. Why is a good portfolio important to your successful application?

E. This may include images from a workbook behind the finished product.

F. Here are some tips to help you through this process and put your best work out there.

G. It's more impressive to express your personal opinion rather than copying another's work.