MERRY XMAS 

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Gap years fill the space left by traditional academic programs

“Wait, so you’re going to be a first-year when everyone your age is in second year?”

     Questions like this surrounded me in the final months of high school. Out of 120 students in my graduating class, I was one of two students who decided to take a gap year. The idea of a gap year was off most people’s radars, seeming distant and somewhat fantastical. The overwhelming mentality around gap years was that a gap year was something a student would consider, but never actually pursue. This is because of the common stereotypes surrounding the academic break.

When the average student thinks of a gap year, their minds usually land on two possible scenarios.The first one is working a banal job to earn money for school or to figure out their academic goals, spending days scrolling through Instagram todirectly live through their peers’ university experiences. The second envision’s partying on a yacht, maybe in Fiji or Greece, drinking one’s own body weight in alcohol, and sharing the journey on social media.

     The gap year I embarked on was far from either of these plots, and taught me a lot about how to approach the rest of my academic career. It proves gap years can enhance your learning rather than simply taking you away from school.My gap year was a year on, not a year off. For nine months, I studied in and explored Jerusalem, learning about Middle Eastern history, language, and politics while exploring the same themes in different regions across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

     While travelling the world, I immersed myself in different cultures and religions. I was fueled by new foods and surrounded by new perspectives. I learned two new languages. I also obtained 30 units of academic credit. The experience heavily influenced who I am as a person and learner. My curiosity and sense of perspective—both necessary skills to excel at school and life—are expanded and continue to expand. 

     High school didn’t leave me sufficiently prepared to face the academic challenges of university, whereas my gap year shaped me into a person ready to face many challenges. After all, you can’t feel a textbook’s emotion, or debate statements of fact with a slideshow.Throughout my gap year, our teachers pushed us to understand that human encounters are what teach us best about ourselves and each other. Once you see and feel a different perspective rather than reading about it, you become immediately invested in that viewpoint. It becomes a new lens for you to use in your interactions with people and ideas. With this new mindset, you become curious and hungry for more information. 

If you’re given the opportunity to travel, take advantage of it. A trip to a different part of the world  might seem drab to you, but you’ll meet new people, see fresh vistas, and expand your worldview. A year studying while exploring is incredible. If the opportunity arises, snatch it. 

The Queen’s University Journal

 Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a)  According to most people, a gap year is something every student must take before starting university.

b)  According to the author of the article, a gap year makes you improve your academic knowledge.

c)  The author had the opportunity to learn about a new culture.

d)  Her teachers made her understand the importance of face to face communication to get to know each other better

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a)     Why does the author say that her gap year was something different?

b)    What does the writer think about high schools?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a)     Seek (paragraph 1)

b)    Framework (paragraph 2)

c)     Strengthen (paragraph 3)

d)    Interest (paragraph 4)

e)     Outlook (paragraph 5)

Key

a)FALSE :“The overwhelming mentality around gap years was that a gap year was something a student would consider, but never actually pursue.” 

b)TRUE: “taught me a lot about how to approach the rest of my academic career. It proves gap years can enhance your learning rather than simply taking you away from school”

c)FALSE: “I immersed myself in different cultures and religions”

d)TRUE: “our teachers pushed us to understand that human encounters are what teach us best about ourselves and each other”

Question 2

a)   She affirms that because there are two different ideas of what a gap year means. One is related to the fact that you have to get a plain job to earn some money to pay your studies and the other deals with the idea of luxurious travels around the world and sharing them through social networks. The author’s gap year was completely different, she learnt about politics, religion and about herself.

b)    She thinks that high schools don’t make sure that students are ready for university. Textbooks and slide projections can’t teach enough, especially when dealing with emotions, opinions and different perspectives.

Question 3

a)     pursue

b)    scenario

c)     enhance

d)    curiosity

e)     perspective

Moving closer to the sea could make you happier

Long have us city dwellers thought we should pick up and move to the seaside for the sake of our mental health. Now there’s some proper scientific backing for that pondering. New research suggests that those who live close to the sea have better mental health than those who live far from the coast. That’s regardless of their household income, so it’s not as simple as just being able to afford a home – there seem to be mental health benefits specifically from living nearer the sea. Researchers from the University of Exeter used survey data from 25,963 participants and found that those who live less than a kilometre from the coast are 22% less likely to have symptoms of a mental health disorder than those who live 50km or more away. People in low-income households less than a kilometre from the coast are around 40% less likely to have symptoms, compared to those earning the same amount living more than 50km away. We don’t know exactly why this is, but researchers believe their findings back up the idea that ‘blue spaces’ – like green spaces, but with the sea – can improve your wellbeing. Dr Jo Garrett, who led the study, said: ‘Our research suggests, for the first time, that people in poorer households living close to the coast experience fewer symptoms of mental health disorders.

When it comes to mental health, this ‘protective’ zone could play a useful role in helping to level the playing field between those on high and low income.’ Dr Mathew White, environmental psychologist at the University of Exeter, said: ‘This kind of research into blue health is vital to convincing governments to protect, create and encourage the use of coastal spaces. ‘We need to help policy makers understand how to maximize the wellbeing benefits of ‘blue’ spaces in towns and cities and ensure that access is fair and inclusive for everyone, while not damaging our fragile coastal environments.’ It’s important to note, of course, that the causes of mental illness are complex. While the results of this study might tip the scales in favour of living by the coast, we can’t declare that packing up and moving to live by the sea is a magical cure for all mental ills. After all, it’s hard to be in the best mental space if you drastically change your life with no safety net in terms of a job, friends, and a place to live. If you’re struggling with your mental health, chat to your GP or a therapist before planning a big move.

1. Read the text and say if the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE. Write down which part of the text justifies your answer

1.     Although it hadn´t been proved scientifically, people knew it was good for your mind to live near the sea.

2.     You need to earn a lot of money to enjoy the benefits of living near the coast.

3.     The scientists involved in the study want as many people as possible to access blue spaces at any cost.

4.     There are quite a few things to ponder when planning to move to the coast for the sake of your mental health.

3. Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the definitions given.

       a.     support   (p.1)

       b.     be able to pay (p.1)

       c.     illness (p.1)

       d.     consider (p.1)

       e.     balance (p.2)

       f.      fight (p.2)

KEY

     1.     True. " Long have us city dwellers thought we should pick up and move to the seaside for the sake of our mental health. Now there’s some proper scientific backing for that pondering"

     2.     False. " New research suggests that those who live close to the sea have better mental health than those who live far from the coast. That’s regardless of their household income,"

      3.     False. " We need to help policy makers understand how to maximize the wellbeing benefits of ‘blue’ spaces in towns and cities and ensure that access is fair and inclusive for everyone, while not damaging our fragile coastal environments."

      4.     True. " . While the results of this study might tip the scales in favour of living by the coast, we can’t declare that packing up and moving to live by the sea is a magical cure for all mental ills. After all, it’s hard to be in the best mental space if you drastically change your life with no safety net in terms of a job, friends, and a place to live. "

2.

       a.     backing / to back

       b.     afford / to afford  

       c.     disorder

       d.      pondering / to ponder

       e.     level / to level

       f.      struggling / to struggle

10 resolutions to make the most of life in Spain

 

Read the text and fill the gaps with the  following words.

Splattered    -     target    -    lesser    -    let    -    putting it off    -    trail    -    might    -    fitness    -    unique    -    seriously

Need to add some sparkle to your life? Here you have ten easy-to-achieve resolutions that will make the coming year in Spain one to remember.

     1.    Improve your Spanish 

If you’ve decided your Spanish is already good enough, or that the language is just too hard, now is the time to get out of your comfort zone. Buy a book, get alanguage exchange partner, take classes, or just watch more Spanish television: whatever you do, stop (1)______________ and take the next step .

     2.    Take up the sport of padel: 

You've probably spotted them around Spain — strange half-sized tennis courts with wire mesh fences. Welcome to the wonderful world of padel. Part-tennis, part-squash, this is a great, fun game. Why not join a club, improve your (2)___________ and meet some Spaniards at the same time?

     3.    Cook up a storm: 

Make 2020 a culinary watershed by learning how to make a new Spanish dish every month of the year. Set yourself the (3)___________ of making a sublime salmorejo, a terrific tortilla and perfect pincho. Then invite your friends over and amaze them with your cooking skill.

      4.        Volunteer: 

You could try working at a local soup kitchen or a food bank. Or you (4)________ want to volunteer with Age Concern España which helps older English-speaking people living in Spain.

      5.       Walk (or cycle) the Camino de Santiago:

Say Camino de Santiago and most people think of the 800km 'French Way' from southern France to the city of Santiago de Compostela. But you can start the route from pretty much everywhere in Spain, with major routes linking Seville, Madrid and Barcelona with the pilgrimage city. You can decide to do just part of the (5)_________ too. So whether your motives are religious, spiritual, or just sightseeing, this is a great way to experience Spain.

      6.       Learn to do something typically Spanish:

Make 2020 your year for learning something (6)__________ to Spain. This could be anything from getting to grips with the fine art of slicing jamón to learning how to pour cider the way they do in Asturias. Or maybe you want to try flamenco dance or guitar.

       

       7.       Head to a crazy Spanish festival:

You’ve seen all the pictures and you've heard the stories, but you’ve never quite managed to get there. So why not take the plunge in 2018? With everything on offer from getting (7)________ with tomatoes at the Tomatina festival to watching people swing from the necks of dead ducks in in the Basque fishing town of Lekeito, there is a wacky Spanish fiesta for everyone.

       8.       Read Don Quixote:

Yes, Cervantes' classic novel aboutThe Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha is hundreds of pages long. Yes, it’s a serious piece of literature.But this story of this genius/fool on a personal crusade to bring back chivalry is also (8)__________ fun. One hundred of the world’s top authors have also called it the best book of all time.So whether you read it in English or Spanish, just read it.

     

      9.     Get off the beaten track:

You think you've been everywhere in Spain? Think again. Why not start exploring some of Spain's (9)__________ known regions. Take a trip to the wetlands of the Ebro Delta or visit the stunning castle of Gormaz in lonely Soria province. We also recommend stopping by small, undiscovered villages, or perhaps some quaint seaside ports.

10. Meet the love of your life?

Or at least, have some fun along the way. Navigating the dating scene can be a minefield especially if you are looking for love in a culture different to your own. But don't (10)___________ that put you off.

Adapted from thelocal.es

KEY: 1. Putting it off  2. Fitness  3. Target 4. Might 5. Trail 6. Unique 7. Splattered 8. Seriously 9. Lesser 10. Let

MEANING

     Choose the correct answer to show you have understood the meaning of the words in bold.

1. She’s out of work now.
a. She left at 5 o’clock.
b. She hasn’t got a job.

2. I didn’t recognise Paula.
a. She’s cut her hair.
b. She hasn’t changed.

3. Jake’s opinion influenced me.
a. I changed my mind.
b. I still think I’m correct.

4. Lori was upset when she saw her test mark.
a. She got a low score.
b. She did very well.

5. I’m going to exchange the belt my parents gave me.
a. I’ll give it to a charity shop.
b. I want a black one instead.

KEY

      1.  b    2.  a    3.  a    4.  a    5.  b