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？___

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 year___．

A．know a lot more about their future job

B．are more likely to leave university in debt

C．are better prepared for college st