2b Which sentence is in keeping with the text?
1. b, 2. a, 3. a, 4. b, 5. a, 6. a, 7. b, 8. b, 9. b, 10. b

exercise 2c
1. it must have looked pretty weird
2. far more terrifying
3. our neighbour across the street
4. that's what I had been told by family members
5. obligated to say such things 
6. wasn't good enough for Harvard
7. after carefully reviewing your application
8. in the event that
9. a life or death situation
10. a safe distance away from oncoming traffic
11. all my hard work had actually paid off
12. in typical Harvard fashion
13. they were too busy cheering
14. giggling with delight while reading it
15. turned the page 

exercise 2d Fill in according to the clues. Use the previous exercise for help.
A few years ago, I learned that sometimes it 1. pays off to ask for help. It was time to write my college application essays but I was afraid 2. I wasn’t smart enough and wouldn’t stand out from the crowd. My high school teachers said I was a bright student, but they were just 3. obligated to say so. Finally, my mother told me to ask Mr Fuller from 4. across the street to 5. review my application. He was a retired English Professor but he was very intimidating. However, the thought of not getting into college was 6. far more terrifying/frightening/scary, so I decided to go over to his house. This was 7. a life or death situation / a matter of life or death, after all. I reminded my mum that my funeral song choice was “Another one bites the dust” (8. in the event that / in case I wouldn’t make it back.) Mr Fuller opened the door and stared at me 9. in his typical grim fashion/manner/way. I explained my situation and he agreed to go through my application. He wasn’t exactly 10. laughing with joy/delight when he read my essay, but he wasn’t cringing with embarrassment either. In the end, I got some useful advice and eventually I got into the college I had hoped to get into.

exercise 2e Translate the questions into English. Then take turns answering them with your partner.
1. Do you already know which institutions of further study you'd be interested in applying to? Which ones and why?
2. In your view/opinion, what are the characteristics of a strong applicant?
3. Would a failure to get / not getting accepted make you more determined or hesitant/doubtful about your career choice? Why?
4. What kind of advice would you give to an unsuccessful applicant who is about to abandon / give up their career plans?
5. Would your world collapse or would you remain cheerful and enthusiastic if your friends got accepted and you didn't?
6. Is acceptance always a positive thing and a rejection a negative one? Explain your views.