Isle of Man Viking jewellery found by metal detectorist

A "stunning" collection of 1,000-year-old gold and silver Viking jewellery has been discovered on the Isle of Man by a metal detectorist. Retired police officer Kath Giles made the find on farm land in the north of the island. 

The horde includes a gold arm ring and a "massive" silver brooch dating back to 950 AD.

It was unearthed in December but has been revealed for the first time during a coroner's hearing. Manx National Heritage's curator of archaeology Allison Fox said the arm ring in particular was a "rare find".

Ms Giles said she immediately knew she had found "something very special" and was "thrilled" at the discovery, which is likely to be worth several thousand pounds. "I knew straight away that it was a significant and exciting find. 

The findings were declared treasure in an inquest at Douglas Courthouse. Discoveries of archaeological interest on the island must be reported to Manx National Heritage within two weeks. If items are legally classified as treasure, they belong to the crown and the finder is rewarded.

Precisely how much this latest finding is worth has not been determined, but similar items of Viking jewellery have been valued at £1,500 each. A larger horde of Viking treasure found in Lancashire in 2011 was valued at £110,000.

Ms Fox said the gold arm band was rare because silver was a far more common commodity for trading during the Viking era. "The arm ring, brooch and cut armband are all high-status personal ornaments and represent a large amount of accumulated wealth," she said. "Finding just one of these items would be of significance. The fact that all were found together suggests that whoever buried them was extremely wealthy and probably felt immediately and acutely threatened."

Question 1: Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE OR FALSE and write down the sentence or the part of the text that justifies your answer.

1. The jewellery was first shown to the public in December.

2. The person who discovers a treasure cannot keep it but gets some money in exchange.

3. It is the first time that Viking jewels have been found.

4. The person who hid the jewels was afraid to lose them.

Question 2: Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

1. What was Ms Giles' attitude when she found the jewels?

2. What is the experts' opinion about the discovery?

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

1. awesome (p.1)

2. uncover (p.2)

3. custodian (p.2)

4. pay back (p.4)

5. group, number (p.5)

Adapted from BBC news

Key

Question1

1. False. " It was unearthed in December but has been revealed for the first time during a coroner's hearing."

2. True. " If items are legally classified as treasure, they belong to the crown and the finder is rewarded."

3. False. "  similar items of Viking jewellery have been valued at £1,500 each. A larger horde of Viking treasure found in Lancashire in 2011 was valued at £110,000."

4. True. " whoever buried them was extremely wealthy and probably felt immediately and acutely threatened."

Question 2

1. Ms. Giles was really excited when she discovered the jewels and she soon realized it was a very important finding.

2. They were surprised to see the gold arm band since Vikings used silver more than gold. They also appreciated the significance of having found all the items in the same place.

Question 3

1. stunning

2. unearthed / to unearth

3. curator

4. rewarded / to reward

5. horde

 

Dream Job Alert: You Can Get Paid Around $30 An Hour To Eat Candy

If your ideal workday is sitting around, eating candy, and judging, well, I have great news for you! This is an actual job that exists, you can get paid serious cash to do it, and more than one person will get the honor! It's all thanks to Candy Funhouse.

The company is hiring part-time and full-time "Candyologists," AKA Candy and Chocolate Taste Testers to help the company try out and narrow down which candies will be a part of the first-ever Candy Funhouse branded candy line. The line will feature 10 candies, but they'll first need to be narrowed down from hundreds of options. That's where you come in!

If you want the job, you should have "enthusiasm and eagerness to try confectionery products," and "consider aspects of taste, texture, and quality." You'll then have to write a brief, two-sentence description for each product tested. Basically, you have to really love candy and be willing to be a little judgy about it. DONE. Oh, and applicants who have an interest in candy, pop culture, and media will be given preference. Even better!!

Best of all this job PAYS. Like, pays WELL. The full-time position will net you $30 an hour, according to the Indeed listing, though you'll have to go to work in person, in Mississauga, ON, Canada. However, the part-time position requires 15 hours a week that can be done from home and you'll still earn $26 an hour. Two people will have the opportunity to be full-time employees, while they're choosing eight people to take the role part-time, according to a press release.

You have until February 15, 2021, to apply . Applicants have to have a high school diploma and be a citizen of the U.S. or Canada to apply. You can see more application instructions on each job posting. GOOD LUCK!

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer.

1.     Funhouse is creating a new line of sweets.

2.     You will need to have basic writing skills.

3.     Only Canadian people will be able to apply for the position.

4.     It is necessary to have a degree to apply for this job.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1.     Why does the company need candy testers?

2.     What does the job imply?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. 

a)    real (par.1)

b)    employ (par.2)

c)     limit (par.2)

d)    keenness (par.3)

e)    request, ask for  (par.5)

 

 

 

KEY

Question 1.

1.     True. " company try out and narrow down which candies will be a part of the first-ever Candy Funhouse branded candy line."

2.     True. " ." You'll then have to write a brief, two-sentence description for each product tested."

3.     False. " Applicants have to have a high school diploma and be a citizen of the U.S. or Canada to apply."

4.     False. " Applicants have to have a high school diploma..."

                Question 2.

1.     They need these people to try and evaluate a series of sweets so that from a lot of candies only ten will be selected for their new line of candies.

2.     The job implies taking into account some aspects of the sweets when trying them. They also ask you to write a short note describing the sweet.

  Question 3.

a)     actual

b)    hiring / to hire

c)     to narrow down

d)    eagerness

e)    to apply for

Stand up -- it could help you lose weight

 

A new study published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that standing instead of sitting for six hours a day could prevent weight gain and help people to actually lose weight.

Prolonged sitting has been linked to the obesity epidemic, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Europeans sit for up to seven hours a day, and even physically active people may spend most of the day in a chair.

This paper examined whether standing burns more calories than sitting. The researchers analysed results from a total of 46 studies with 1,184 participants in all. Participants, on average, were 33 years old, 60% were men, and the average body mass index and weight were 24 kg/m2 and 65 kg, respectively.

The researchers found that standing burned 0.15 kcal per minute more than sitting. By substituting standing for sitting for six hours a day, a 65 kg person would expend an extra 54 kcal a day. Assuming no increase in food intake, that would equate to 2.5 kg in one year and 10 kg in four years.

Senior author Professor Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Chief of Preventive Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, US, said: "Standing not only burns more calories, the additional muscle activity is linked to lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes, so the benefits of standing could go beyond weight control."

The gap in energy expenditure between standing and sitting could be even greater than the study found. Participants were standing still, while in reality people make small movements while standing. "Our results might be an underestimate because when people stand they tend to make spontaneous movements like shifting weight or swaying from one foot to another, taking small steps forward and back. People may even be more likely to walk to the filing cabinet or trash bin," said Professor Lopez-Jimenez.

The authors concluded that replacing standing for sitting could be yet another behaviour change to help reduce the risk of long term weight gain. They suggest more research is needed to see whether such a strategy is effective and practical. Data is also needed, they say, on the long term health implications of standing for extended periods.

Professor Lopez-Jimenez said: "It's important to avoid sitting for hours at a time. Standing is a very good first step to avoid this mindset of sitting interminably without moving. Who knows, it may also prompt some people to do a little more and take up some mild physical activity, which would be even more beneficial."

Question 2: [1,5 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1) How was the study carried out?

2) Why are the results of the study an understimate?

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose and write the most suitable answer (a, b, c or d) according to the text and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet

1.- Standing may make you lose more calories...

a) even though you do not eat more.

b) as long as you do not eat more.

c) unless you eat more.

d) provided that you eat more.

2.- More research..........to see whether a strategy is effective and practical.

a) is suggested to have needed.

b) is suggested to need it.

c) is suggested to be needed.

d) is suggested to be needing.

3.- The risk to suffer certain diseases lowers...

a) due to more muscle activity.

b) because more muscle activity.

c) although more muscle activity.

d) since more muscle activity.

KEY

Question 2

1) Researchers carried out 46 different studies. More than 1,100 people participated; slightly more than half out of them were men, with an average age of 33. They all shared an average weight of 65kg and a mass index of 24kg/m2.

2) The results may vary if they take into consideration that people usually move unconsciously by standing on one foot or another or by changing their weight while standing. People may even walk either by short steps or by going to the paperbin or the filing cabinet.

Question 4 

1-b 2-c 3-a

WATER ON THE MOON

Having dropped tantalizing hints days ago about an "exciting new discovery about the Moon", the US space agency has revealed conclusive evidence of water on our only natural satellite.

This "unambiguous detection of molecular water" will boost Nasa's hopes of establishing a lunar base. The aim is to sustain that base by tapping into the Moon's natural resources. Unlike previous detections of water in permanently shadowed parts of lunar craters, scientists have now detected the molecule in sunlit regions of the Moon's surface.

Speaking during a virtual teleconference, co-author Casey Honniball, postdoctoral fellow at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said: "The amount of water is roughly equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water in a cubic metre of lunar soil."

Her Nasa colleague Jacob Bleacher, said researchers still needed to understand the nature of the watery deposits. This would help them determine how accessible they would be for future lunar explorers to use. And while there have previously been signs of water on the lunar surface, these new discoveries suggest it is more abundant than previously thought. "It gives us more options for potential water sources on the Moon," said Hannah Sargeant "Where to put a Moon base is largely focused on where the water is."

The US space agency has said it will send the first woman and next man to the lunar surface in 2024  to prepare for the "next giant leap" - human exploration of Mars as early as the 2030s. Dr Sargeant explained that this meant developing "a more sustainable way of doing space exploration. Part of that is using these local resources - especially water," she told BBC News.

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) Nasa gave the news about the unquestionable existence of lunar water some days ago.

 b) Space scientists will definitely benefit from this discovery.

  c) Space explorers had never found any water on the Moon before.

 d) The project to send a woman and another man to the Moon will help develop the exploration of Mars.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

                a) How is this new discovery different from previous ones?

                b) What new turn will space exploration take?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.      

a. insinuation (paragraph 1)

b. intensify (paragraph 2)

c. approximately (paragraph 2)

d. reachable (paragraph 3)

e. center on  (paragraph 3)

KEY

Question 1

a) False. " Having dropped tantalizing hints days ago about an "exciting new discovery about the Moon",

b) True. " This "unambiguous detection of molecular water" will boost Nasa's hopes of establishing a lunar base.

c) False. " Unlike previous detections of water ..... And while there have previously been signs of water on the lunar surface,"

d) True. " The US space agency has said it will send the first woman and next man to the lunar surface in 2024  to prepare for the "next giant leap" - human exploration of Mars as early as the 2030s."

Question 2

a) It is different in two aspects. First of all water has been found in a region lit by the sun whereas before it was found in a dark area. Besides, it seems a bigger quantity of water has been discovered.

b) The different findings in space have given scientists and space explorers the idea of acceeding to the resources discovered in space and using them.

Question 3

a) hint

b) boost /to boost

c) roughly

d) accessible

e) focused / to be focused

Harrison Ford pays tribute to 'dear friend' Sir Sean Connery

 

The pair appeared together in Steven Spielberg's 1989 sequel Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with Sir Sean playing Ford's father Henry Jones. "He was my father... not in life... but in Indy III," said Harrison in an interview . "God we had fun - if he's in heaven, I hope they have golf courses. Rest in peace, dear friend," he added.

Ford recalled the "pleasure" of taking Sir Sean "for a ride in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle, bouncing along a bumpy, twisty mountain trail and getting to watch him squirm".

Ford's tribute to the James Bond actor follows those of many other Hollywood stars. Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner, Sir Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, George Lazenby and Pierce Brosnan have all praised the late actor. Brosnan, who himself played the role of 007, posted online that Sir Sean was "my greatest James Bond as a boy, and as a man who became James Bond himself". The family of another late former Bond star, Sir Roger Moore, also tweeted to say that he too had "always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond".

Sir Sean was best known for his portrayal of James Bond in seven films from 1962 to 1983. They included Dr No, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger.

He died in his sleep in the Bahamas, surrounded by his family. "He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss." his wife said. She added the actor "was not able to express himself" in the period leading up to his death.

Over the course of his career, Sir Sean won an Oscar, two Baftas and three Golden Globes.

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) Sean Connery played the role of Henry Jones in the first film of the Indiana Jones series.

                b) Harrison Ford enjoyed his rides with Connery.

                c) Roger Moore's family told a magazine they considered Connery as the best James Bond .

                d) Sir Sean Connery was awarded two prizes by the British Film Academy.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.       

                a) What are Harrison Ford's memories of Sean Connery?

                b) What happened to Sean Connery in his last years?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) jump up and down (par.1)

b) irregular, uneven (par.1)

c)   speak highly of someone (par.2)

d)   dead (par.2)

e)   commotion (par.3)

           

KEY

Question 1

a) False." The pair appeared together in Steven Spielberg's 1989 sequel Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with Sir Sean playing Ford's father Henry Jones."

b) True. " Ford recalled the "pleasure" of taking Sir Sean "for a ride in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle "

c) False. " the family of another late former Bond star, Sir Roger Moore, also tweeted to say that he too had "always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond" 

d) True. " Sir Sean won an Oscar, two Baftas and three Golden Globes."

Question 2

a) Harrison Ford remembers the good relationship he had with Sean Connery and that they enjoyed their time together like when they both rode along bumpy roads. He also said Connery loved golf.

b) He suffered from dementia, which caused him to feel really bad and wish to die in peace.

Question 3

a) bouncing / to bounce

b) bumpy

c) praised / to praise

d) late

e) fuss

John Lennon's 'Imagine' piano on display at Strawberry Field exhibition

Watch the video and then read the text and answer the questions

The late George Michael’s estate has loaned the piano on which John Lennon wrote “Imagine” to the Strawberry Field exhibition in Liverpool. The Steinway piano, bought at auction by Michael back for £1.45m in 2000, will be able to go on public display.

Lennon wrote and recorded the 1971 ballad “Imagine” on the instrument, which Michael later used to record the song “Patience”. When he bought the piano originally, Michael described the object as a “symbol of peace”, and said: “It’s not the type of thing that should be in storage somewhere or being protected, it should be seen by people.”

His estate has loaned the piano to celebrate what would have been Lennon’s 80th birthday. The Beatles star was famously shot dead outside his New York home on 8 December 1980.

Lennon’s sister Julia Baird, who serves as the Honorary President of Strawberry Field, said: “Bringing John’s piano to Strawberry Field for the first time to mark what would have been his 80th birthday is a wonderful gesture – one that will bring joy to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit Liverpool every year to get closer to the history of The Beatles and John’s legacy.

“Strawberry Field played a pivotal role in John’s childhood as one of the first places that sparked his young imagination whilst living on nearby Menlove Avenue. It’s fitting therefore that this piano should find a new home here, where The Salvation Army continues to do such good work with young adults with learning difficulties.” Funds raised by paying visitors to the exhibition will go towards helping young people with learning difficulties.

The George Michael Estate said in a statement that it is “proud to be associated with Strawberry Field and the work that the Salvation Army do at the centre to help young adults with learning difficulties acquire the skills and experience they so badly need to get employment which work is even more vital today than it was when the Centre first opened.”

After being shown around the site, estate representatives “did not hesitate” in agreeing to the loan. According to the statement, the prospect represents “just the type of association that George would have wanted for this unique piece”.

It continued: “We know that the piano will be a source of hope and inspiration to all who come to see it and to the young people who attend Strawberry Field not only during these difficult times but for many years to come in the same way that it inspired George since he bought it some 20 years ago.”

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) George Michael bought it only for himself.

                b) George Michael used the piano to compose songs.

                c) People will be able to see the exhibition for free.

                d) The George Michal State has shown their pride to be linked to the Salvation        Army.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

              

                a) Why was Strawberry Fields important in Lennon’s life?

                b) How does The Salvation Army help young adults?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

           

                a) public sale (par.1)

                b) hapiness (par.4)

                c) crucial (par.5)

                d) to gain (par.6)

                e) fundamental (par.6)  

KEY

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) FALSE: “It’s not the type of thing that should be in storage somewhere or being protected, it should be seen by people.”

                b) FALSE: “Michael later used to record the song “Patience”

                c) FALSE: “Funds raised by paying visitors to the exhibition will go towards helping young people with learning difficulties.”

                d) TRUE: “The George Michael Estate said in a statement that it is “proud to be associated with Strawberry Field”

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

                a) Strawberry Fields, which was quite close to where he lived, was important because it was a source of inspiration during his childhood.

                b) The Salvation Army helps young adults by trying to give them the abilities they need to get a job.

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

                a) auction

                b) joy

                c) pivotal

                d) acquire

                e) vital

Coronavirus: Louis Vuitton owner to start making hand sanitiser

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH will use its perfume production lines to start making hand santiser to protect people against the coronavirus outbreak. France has now seen 120 deaths from the coronavirus as the pandemic spreads.

The luxury goods maker says it wants to help tackle a nationwide shortage of the anti-viral products across France. "These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities," LVMH announced on Sunday. LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands... to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday," LVMH said in a statement. "LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities," the company said.

The factories normally produce perfume and makeup for luxury brands like Christian Dior and Givenchy. The French luxury conglomerate also owns well-known brands such as champagne maker Moet & Chandon, watchmaker Tag Heuer and jeweller Bulgari.

France has closed its restaurants, cafes and non-essential stores in an effort to combat the virus, which has infected an estimated 162,687 people and killed more than 6,000.

Governments across the world have called on manufacturers to help make products that are running low during the virus outbreak.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to ask UK engineering firms on Monday to shift production to build ventilators for the NHS.

In China, at the peak of its coronavirus outbreak in February, electronics giant Foxconn switched some of its production from Apple iPhones to make surgical masks.

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

1. The gel made by LVMH will be quite expensive.

2. They will only produce a small amount of gel.

3. Some firms dealing with accessories also belong to LVMH.

4. Other companies in the world will be helping to provide necessary items during the crisis.

Question 2. Answer the following questions using your own words.

1. Why does Louis Vuitton want to make these products?

2. Why has France closed restaurants and cafés?

Question 3. Find words and phrases in the text that correspond to the words given.

1. beginning (par.1)

2. face (par 2)

3. famous (par.3)

4. calculate (par.4)

5. be short of (par 5)

KEY

Question 1

1. False.  "These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities,"

2. False. " ... to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday."

3. True. " ... The French luxury conglomerate also owns well-known brands such as ....

           watchmaker Tag Heuer and jeweller Bulgari."

 4.    True. " Governments across the world have called on manufacturers to help make products that are running low during the virus outbreak."

Question 2.

1. They want to help the country to cope with the lack of products necessary during this sanitary crisis.

2. France has closed bars, restaurants and cafés, places where groups of people gather and could be at risk of catching the virus since quite a lot of people have caught it already.

Question 3.

1. outbreak

2. tackle

3. well-known

4. estimated / to estimate

5. running low / to run low

Are Our Kids Tough Enough?

The Chinese education system – with its long school days and tough discipline - tops global league tables. But how did British pupils cope when five Chinese teachers took over part of their Hampshire school?

For the BBC documentary Are Our Kids Tough Enough? An experiment was carried out at the Bohunt School in Liphook. Fifty children in year nine had to live under a completely different regime – one run by Chinese teachers.

For four weeks, they wore a special uniform and started the school day at 07:00. Once a week there was a pledge to the flag. Lessons were focused on note-taking and repetition. Group exercise was undertaken. The pupils had to clean their own classrooms. There were two meal breaks in a 12-hour day

Neil Strowger, headteacher, Bohunt School. In Shanghai last year, I had seen the incredible commitment of the students, enormous class sizes and immaculate behaviour. I had also witnessed PE lessons where the students stood in groups chatting, as PE was considered neither important nor a respite from the interminable monotony of the Chinese classroom.

In early spring, parts of my school were taken over by Chinese teachers. The Chinese flag was flying proudly over the sports field. But as early as the second day reports were coming in that the pupils were behaving badly – disengaged with the lessons, chatting and not listening to their teachers. Chinese teaching methods were on a collision course with teenage British culture and values. Our pupils are used to being able to ask questions to the teacher.

Perhaps, as a result of the amount of time spent together, teacher-pupil relationships got better and some pupils began to express a preference for the Chinese style. They liked having to copy "stuff" from the board as they thought this would help them remember it. Some more able pupils also liked the lecture style of the Chinese classroom.

What have I learned from the experiment? I believe that a longer school day would have value for our pupils and that teachers should not on occasion be afraid of delivering monologues in the classroom. It is, however, clear to me that Chinese parents, culture and values are the real reasons that Shanghai Province tops the oft-cited Pisa tables rather than superior teaching practice.

No educational approach or policy is going to turn back the British cultural clock to the 1950s. Nor should it seek to.

                                          www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33735517

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. During the experiment students had to learn many things by heart and copy what the teachers said

b. Physical Education is very important for Shangay students

c. According to Neil Strowger it is not the teaching practice but Shangay culture and values what make Shangay students get the best results in survey education tables

d. British authorities are considering some changes in educational laws having in mind past policies.

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

a- What did the experiment at Bohunt School consist of?

b- Did students like the experiment?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a – deal (paragraph 1)

b- responsibility (paragraph 4)

c- chronicle (paragraph 5)

d- ties (paragraph 6)

e- speeches (paragraph 7)

Key

Question 1

a- True     Lessons were focused on note-taking and repetition. 

b- False     PE was considered neither important nor a respite from the interminable monotony of the Chinese classroom.

c- True   It is, however, clear to me that Chinese parents, culture and values are the real reasons that Shanghai Province tops the oft-cited Pisa tables rather than superior teaching practice.

d- False No educational approach or policy is going to turn back the British cultural clock to the 1950s

Question 2

a- It consisted of spending four weeks developing different activities. 50 students had to follow instructions according to Chinese schools methodology, they even had to wear a special uniform and spend more hours at school. They had to take notes and memorise all the things the teacher said.

b- At first it was really hard for them, they misbehaved because they were not able to cope with so much work and discipline. After some time together, some students started to develop a taste for that kind of activities as they realised that they were learning things better.

            Question 3

a- Cope

b- Commitment

c- Reports

d- Relationships

e- Monologues 

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