Young women are more adventurous than young men when travelling abroad in gap years. One in three female backpackers visits more than three countries during a year out and travels alone, according to new research.
By contrast, the majority of their male counterparts visit only one country and tend to travel in groups, says a survey by the Gap Year company, which provides information and services for students considering taking a year out.
More women than men say that their prime reason for taking time off is to see the world and experience different cultures. Men were more likely to rank “having fun” higher on their list of priorities. Women were more likely to value the challenge of a foreign trip, and many cited reasons such as learning a language and meeting new people.
The more adventurous gap years taken by women seem to work to their benefit: more than three quarters of those surveyed reported increased confidence, self-reliance and independence, whereas only half of the men had that experience.
The research also showed that women were more likely to do voluntary work while travelling, with more than one in ten helping with teaching or development projects. One of the reasons given for this is a wish to see the country in an authentic light.
A greater proportion of women than men faced objections or criticism from their families over their gap-year plans. Among the men surveyed, lack of money was the main barrier to travel.
Carolyn Martin, a doctor from London, was a typically confident female traveller.
Starting in Cape Town, she travelled around southern Africa and Australia with a string of
unusual and sometimes dangerous jobs.
“I had one job chasing elephants off the runway in Africa by banging a stick against a pan,” she recalled. “It was OK but one day I did get chased by one.”
She said that she had travelled alone because “you meet more people”.
46. By referring to “gap year” the writer means ______.
A. a gap you come across after leaving high school
B. a time when you are caught in a dilemma between work and study
C. a period before you find a job upon your graduation from college
D. a year off between high school and college for certain purposes
47. According to the article, ______.
A. most of the women students will travel abroad during the summer holidays
B. one third of the women students will travel abroad in a year
C. women students are more likely to travel abroad alone
D. women students are willing to travel abroad in a group
48. In the third paragraph, the underlined word “priorities” most probably means ______.
A. selections     B. attractions    C. preferences     D. projects
49. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Men students will travel less during the gap year because of their part-time jobs.
B. Women students will travel more but face more objections.
C. The article suggests that women travelling alone will have dangerous experiences.
D. Men students prefer to travel inside their own country to going abroad.
50. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A. Girls Get the Best out of Gap Years   B. Boys Lack Courage in Gap Years
C. For Fun or for Adventure?          D. Young Women Are More Adventurous

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