CET-6 Listening Practice: Should I Take a Gap Year?

Thanks for seeing me. I've finally made up my mind about next year!

谢谢您抽空见我。我终于想好明年要做什么了！

That's great news. So is it the master's degree or the job offer?

好消息啊。那你是读硕士，还是接受那份工作？

Actually, neither, at least not straight away.

其实都不是，至少不是马上。

I'm planning to take a gap year first.

我打算先休一个间隔年。

A gap year? I have to admit, I didn't see that coming!

间隔年？我得承认，这可真没想到！

I'd like to spend six months working on an organic farm abroad,

我想先去国外的有机农场工作6个月，

and then volunteer as a teaching assistant at a village school.

然后去一所乡村学校当志愿助教。

I've been studying nonstop since I was six, and I really need a break.

我从6岁起就一直不停地读书，真的需要休息一下了。

I can see why that appeals to you after such a demanding final year.

经历了这么辛苦的毕业年，我能理解你为什么会动心。

But I'm not entirely convinced it's the right move for you.

但我不完全相信这对你来说是正确的选择。

Some students lose momentum and struggle to get back into studying.

有些学生会失去冲劲，很难再回到学习状态。

And how exactly are you planning to pay for all of this?

还有，这一切的费用你具体打算怎么解决？

The farm offers free accommodation and meals in exchange for work.

农场提供免费食宿，作为工作的交换。

Even so, flights and insurance could easily eat into your savings.

即便如此，机票和保险也很容易把你的积蓄花掉一大块。

There's also the question of how employers will view a year out.

还有一个问题，就是用人单位会怎么看待这一年的空白。

If it looks like a long holiday, it could count against you.

如果看起来像是放了个长假，可能会对你不利。

With respect, isn't that a rather old-fashioned view?

恕我直言，这种看法是不是有点过时了？

Working abroad shows that I'm independent and can adapt to new situations.

在国外工作恰恰说明我很独立，能适应新环境。

To be fair, that's a valid point, as long as you can explain what you gained.

说句公道话，这一点确实有道理，只要你能说清楚自己收获了什么。

Honestly, what worries me most is losing the job offer.

说实话，我最担心的是失去这份工作机会。

Have you asked the company whether you could defer your start date?

你问过公司能不能推迟入职日期吗？

Defer it? I had no idea that was even an option!

推迟？我都不知道还可以这样！

It depends on the employer, but some are willing to wait if you ask early.

这要看公司，不过如果你早点问，有些公司是愿意等的。

So here's a compromise. Work for six months first and save up.

那我给你一个折中的办法。先工作6个月，把钱存起来。

Then take a shorter, structured break with clear goals, rather than a whole year.

然后休一段更短、有计划、目标明确的假，而不是整整一年。

I'd rather go for longer, but six months does sound more realistic.

我其实更想去久一点，不过6个月听起来确实更现实。

Good. Email the company this week, and come back with a budget.

很好。这周给公司发封邮件，然后带着预算再来找我。

Deal! Thanks for not just telling me it's a bad idea!

一言为定！谢谢您没有直接说这是个馊主意！