Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 107: Some people believe that students who graduate from high school should 
have one year's time to obtain work experience before going to university. Do you agree 
or disagree?
 
(maintain a balance between their studies and the workload from their part-time jobs) ;
(identify career preference and areas of interest) ;
(apply what they learn in practice), (develop decision-making and problem-solving skills),
fail to meet the requirements of employers), (unable to cope with hardships incurred), (suffer 
setbacks), (lose confidence in making a transition from school to work) ;
(hard to find jobs that match one's characters and interests), (a waste of time and energy);
(gullible);
( continuity of education),
 
Schooling plays an integral part in individual's life. At the end of high school, students 
who wish to continue with their education face two probable choices-either suspend their 
study for a year to obtain work experience, or go straight into university. The second choice 
appears to be more sensible.
Coming fresh out of high school, students do not have a clear understanding of the harsh 
realities of the world. Either in academic background or in work experience, they are not in a 
strong position to undertake early employment. Exposure to an unpredictable and daunting 
world will easily cause a sense of frustration and shake their confidence, both having a 
devastating effect on their development later in life.
Another problem of early employment is that most young people are not able to make a 
correct career decision. Choosing a career requires sufficient knowledge of one's own 
strengths, aptitudes and the trends in the job market. Most young adults, unfortunately, lack 
such knowledge. Their initial experience in a job might lead them to jump on a conclusion 
and devote themselves to a career without careful consideration. So fast is their fondness for 
this job that their affinity to the job is mostly ephemeral. It can ruin their entire working lives.
Another noteworthy problem of working is that it might divert a young adult's attention 
from his or her previous academic objectives. If students give up the opportunity of being 
educated and pursue other ventures, they will lose their abilities and willpower to learn 
something carefully and patiently. The side effect of disengagement from schooling might not 
be significant in the first several years, but with age, it will surely disadvantage them a lot. 
Before long, disillusioned with early employment, young people might resolve to resume 
study but soon discover that they are not suitable for a learning environment any more.
It is therefore clear that students should not attempt a career life once they finish high 
school's study. Instead they should go to college directly, and ensure that their future is built 
on solid foundations, before exploring what else life has to offer.
1. Schooling=education 
2. Integral=vital=central=fundamental
3. Suspend=defer=postpone
4. Sensible=rational=reasonable
1

---

5. Harsh=cruel=ruthless
6. Daunting = intimidating = demoralizing= discouraging
7. Fondness = affection
8. Affinity=liking
9. Ephemeral=short-lived=transient= fleeting=brief
10. Pursue = practice = engage in
11. Venture = undertaking
12. Disengagement = disconnection = severance
13. Disillusioned =disenchanted =disappointed=disheartened 
14. Resolve to=decide to=be determined to
15. Resume=recommence=restart
2

---