How I Failed My Oxford Interview
As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I’d_______. “You think Jane Austen is... soft?” The man opposite me asked in disbelief. Then, he and his colleague took turns to_______my claim, finishing each other’s sentences as they stressed Austen’s novels were, in fact, savage.
“I just mean...” I said in a_______voice, trying to keep the tone light, “that she’s not as biting as Virginia Woolf.”
The two professors patted this idea around, too, like a couple of cats toying with a frightened bird---giving _______ examples of how Austen’s work was, _________, more biting than Woolf’s. With no more defensive action to take, I simply smiled and said, “Let’s just agree to disagree, shall we?” And at that moment, my dreams of going to Oxford university_______in a puff of smoke.
Part of my problem, in hindsight was a lack of confidence._______I was a straight A student and had prepared for the interview to the best of my ability, I wasn’t a skilled debater. When faced with two experts who told me that I was wrong, instead of defending myself, I rolled over and accepted_______.
To pass the interview, you need confidence, of course. You also need a_______ passion for your subject, not just a keen interest. In other words, don’t put comments on your personal statement that you don’t have________for your in-person backup.
So, months later, I already knew the contents of my thin envelope when it appeared on my doormat. ________, I felt a pang of disappointment. I had wanted to go to Oxford since I was 13. I used to look up images of my favorite college with the same________of a bride-to-be browsing wedding dresses.
Ultimately, I didn’t have what it took---but, looking back, that was________a bad thing. Instead of going to Oxford, I found a university that was a better fit for my interests. I loved my eclectic course, where I could write an essay comparing Jane Eyre to 50 Shades of Grey.
Failing my Oxford interview also provided a valuable life lesson. I’m now more confident in my opinions, more passionate when it comes to debate, and I try to back up my points with________evidence. What’s more, I had never since ended a discussion by giving a ____________smile and saying,” let’s just agree to disagree, shall we?”
1.A.produced sensation | B.made a mistake | C.sparked controversy | D.caused disruption |
2.A.clarify | B.provoke | C.manipulate | D.challenge |
3.A.subtle | B.bright | C.sophisticated | D.vague |
4.A.specific | B.brief | C.ambiguous | D.abstract |
5.A.for one thing | B.in turn | C.on the contrary | D.at large |
6.A.vanished | B.facilitated | C.implanted | D.distributed |
7.A.As long as | B.Even though | C.Despite | D.Because |
8.A.paradox | B.compromise | C.defeat | D.embarrassment |
9.A.burning | B.fulfilling | C.dying | D.innate |
10.A.substitute | B.readiness | C.optimism | D.concern |
11.A.Previously | B.Practically | C.Naturally | D.Exclusively |
12.A.resentment | B.controversy | C.distraction | D.eagerness |
13.A.not necessarily | B.all but | C.in particular | D.at length |
14.A.stubborn | B.hard | C.radical | D.generous |
15.A.stunning | B.winning | C.overwhelming | D.simpering |