Global Breaking News - Thursday, May 8, 2025

 Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

 People have long argued over whether it is better for students to take one long vacation each year or to take several short vacations throughout the year. Although the idea of a long vacation is very attractive, I believe that opting for several short breaks is better. This is because having frequent shorter breaks does not interfere with the much-needed concentration that students require, and having shorter breaks does not disturb the learning process and retention of material.
* throughout = ~의 전체에 걸쳐 / attractive = 매력적인, 사람을 끌어당기는 / frequent = 빈번한 / interfere with  = 방해하다 / much-needed = 많이 필요한 / disturb = 방해하다, 훼방놓다 / the learning process = 학습과정 / retention = 보유, 기억

Most importantly, having frequent breaks can help students relax and that will allow them to focus more on their studies. Students are heavily burdened throughout their academic careers. Of course, taking a long break for several months would be beneficial for helping them relax, but that is not enough. Only a few months after the vacation I would be tired again and looking forward to my next break, instead of focusing on the work that I have to do. However, when I was in university, each end of semester break afforded me the chance to relax and refresh myself for the following semester. These periodic breaks enabled me to stay fresh and focused on my work throughout my years in university.
* focus on = ~에 집중하다 / take up(=bear) a heavy burden = 무거운 짐을 지다 / academic career = 학업 / be beneficial for = ~에게 이롭다 / looking forward to = ~을 기대하다, 학수고대하다 / semester = 학기 / afford = 가능하게 하다, 주다, 여유가 있다 / following = 다음의 / periodic =주기적인, 정기적인

In addition, having several short vacations enables students to concentrate better and retain what they have retained. During the course of a semester, students are introduced to a lot of information. If students take one long summer vacation, they are more likely to forget material relevant to their studies. Their concentration on the subject matter can also be interrupted, and they might have a hard time getting back on track after a long vacation. However, several shorter breaks could help students retain what they have learned because they would be away from school for only brief periods and recall it better. Therefore, short breaks at the end of the semester allow students just enough time to relax without the risk of forgetting everything that they have learned in the prior semester.
* retain = 보유하다, 유지하다 / be likely to = ~할 것 같다, 개연성이 높다 / relevant to = 관련된 / nterrupt = 방해하다, 중단하다 / get back on track = 정상으로 돌아오다 / brief = 짧은, 단시간의 / prior = 전의

Of course, the idea of a long vacation is a nice thought, and sometimes it may be necessary. However, I believe students should take several short breaks rather than a long single vacation. I base this judgment on the idea that frequent breaks will enable students to focus more on their studies, and with short breaks students will be less likely to forget what they previously learned.
* judgment = 판단 / previously = 이전에, 미리