TASK A

Dear Robert,
I’m so glad to stay at you for a week during the summer and thank you for sending me these
two exciting guided tours. Since I am interested in both films and historic buildings, it was
quite difficult to choose, but finally I decided to take part in the programme called ‘Gardens
and a Green’.
During my stay I’d like to visit as many traditional and historical places in England as
possible and the Kew Gardens sound one of the most interesting of all. I’ve seen so many
pictures of it on the internet and I have no doubt that it’s just as fascinating in real life as it is
in photos. It was just about time to include in the World Heritage! I can’t wait to see the
legendary buildings in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Do you maybe know if it is possible to go inside the Kew Palace and St Anne’s Church or we
are only allowed to take a look at them from the outside? And have you any idea if we will
have some free time during the programme? I’d love to take a long walk in the Gardens and
take some photos as well to show my family when I come home.
I’m looking forward to your answer and I can’t wait to see you in the summer.
Lots of love,
Viki
TASK B
Dear Raphael,
I’ve always thought taking a year off after graduating is a great chance and if you think it
would be beneficial for you then you should definitely take the opportunity.
There are hundreds of possibilities you can do while your gap year, but for me the most
appealing one is certainly exploring real life and discovering the world outside the classroom.
Schools usually just widen your lexical knowledge and do not allow you to experience the
world on your own skin. Moreover, schools are often so competitive that there is no time to
stop for a minute and think about your goals. You wrote that you are more or less aware of
what kind of university you would like to choose, but you could use this year to reflect on
your further aims even more and set up an exact plan for your future.
However, if you don’t plan your year off carefully, it could possibly danger your studies. The
important thing is to set small goals before you dip yourself into the gap year. Try to learn
new things and useful skills, because this way it will be easier to get back into studying. I
know that for many students the biggest disadvantage is being behind their prior classmates.
However, you can rather think about this problem as having the chance to ask for their help
and they will also be able to give you advice about what to do and not to do in your first year.
I personally haven’t thought of taking a year off because I already had a preparation year
before the ‘actual’ secondary education, and I don’t want to be one more year behind.
However, I hardly believe this gap year would be absolutely beneficial for you. If this is what
you want, then go for it!
Best wishes,
Viki