1．More students than ever before are taking a gap year（间隔年） before going to university．It used to be the"year off"between school and university．The gap-year phenomenon originated（起源） with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year．
This year，25，310students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year，according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service （UCAS）．
That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year．Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education．"Students who take a well-planned yar out are more likely to be satisfied with，and complete，their chosen course．Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible，"he said．
But not everyone is happy．Owain James，the president of the National Union of Students （NUS），argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship-young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education．"New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to￡15，000in debt．It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree．NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacating periods，"he said．
21．What do we learn about the gap year from the text？B
A．It is flexible in length．
B．It is increasingly popular．
C．It is a time for relaxation．
D．It is required by universities．
22．According to Tony Higgins，students taking a gap yearC．
A．know a lot more about their future job
B．are more likely to leave university in debt
C．are better prepared for college studies
D．have a better chance to enter top universities
23．How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon？D
A．He's annoyed．
B．He's puzzled．
C．He's surprised．
D．He's worried．
分析 本文提到大学的学费高使得很多大学生在上大学学前就要先去挣钱然后再上大学学习．这样的好处是让学生更珍惜大学的时光，更成熟有责任感．但是也给人们带来了思考．
解答 21．B，推理判断题．由短文第一段More students than ever before are taking a gap year（间隔年） before going to university．可知，过间隔年学生比以前多了，第三段第一句话That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year．可知体验间隔年数量上升了14.7%，说明越来越受到欢迎，因此选B．
22．C，细节理解题．由人名定位到短文第三段．Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with，and complete，their chosen course．Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible，"he said．第三段在说它的优点，有间隔年之后再去上大学，会让人更成熟有责任感，对大学的学习有帮助．故选C．
23．D，细节理解题．根据文章最后一段But not everyone is happy．然后提到Owain，Owain James，the president of the National Union of Students （NUS），argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship，这证明学生很难；…more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree．他说越来越多的学生会在gap year期间是要去挣大学的费用．故选D．
点评 解答任务型阅读理解题，首先对原文材料迅速浏览，掌握全文的主旨大意．因为阅读理解题一般没有标题，所以，速读全文，抓住中心主旨很有必要，在速读的过程中，应尽可能多地捕获信息材料．其次，细读题材，各个击破．掌握全文的大意之后，细细阅读每篇材料后的问题，弄清每题要求后，带着问题，再回到原文中去寻找、捕获有关信息．最后，要善于抓住每段的主题句，阅读时，要有较强的针对性．对于捕获到的信息，要做认真分析，仔细推敲，理解透彻，只有这样，针对题目要求，才能做到稳、准．
