Some kids need to repeat a grade in school. This means if you’re in the _____ grade, you have to do the third grade again next year _____ moving on to the fourth grade. Repeating a grade can be a(n) _____ thing, though, because you get another chance to complete your schoolwork. For example, a kid might have _____ reading. Other kids might have been _____ and absent (缺席的) for a long time, so they missed a chance to learn _____ they needed to learn.

If it’s you who _____ repeat a grade, you might be thinking, “Is everyone really moving on without me?” Repeating a grade might make you sad, angry, or _____ . It can be stressful. You might be upset _____ you won’t be in class with all of your friends. You might feel ______ about repeating a grade. You may think that people are talking about you or ______ you. You can be really hurt if someone makes fun of ______ about repeating a grade.

Try talking ______ your mum or dad, a teacher, or a friend advisor when you’re having these feelings. School can be hard work, but there are strategies (策略) you can learn to help it go a little ______ for you. Set a goal for yourself and ______ working toward it bit by bit. Ask for help if you need it, and you’ll get there!

In Western society, especially in the English-speaking world, the chance for young people to see the other countries and experience life is considered important. Many young people, when they finish school at the age of 18, take a gap year before they go to university.

Parents often want their children to grow up a little and see what the real world is like when they finish school. Although they are worried about their safety, many think that the advantages of independence and experience are worth the worries. Children are encouraged to be brave, independent and to explore the world on their own or with friends.

Young people also want to experience freedom and see what life is like on the other side. This other side could be the other side of the world or just the other side of life. For example, if they have a rich life, they may want to see how people in poor areas live.

A gap year after school is also an important chance for young people to spend time thinking about what they want to do with their lives. A little bit of growing up and experience will help them make their important career decisions, especially when they are unsure about what they want to study.

Another reason for going straight after school is to get a break from studying before they start the next few years of university. So anywhere you travel in the world, you will meet young European people exploring the world.

So much of the world has been travelled and explored. The young people are now looking for more worthy experiences. Some of them work as volunteers to do something for the country they are visiting. Many gap year volunteers are now spending a few months teaching English in Thailand, helping feed giant pandas in China or building a well(井) in a village in Africa.

These young people’s wish to explore the world is an expression of the values of the societies that they are part of. Both discovering the world and making a positive difference in it are important parts of the Western mind.