1. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. Paraphrase A group of engineering seniors gathered together on the steps of one building. They were discussing the exam which was going to begin in a few minutes. More to learn More to learn

2. engineering seniors: — — students who major in engineering and study in the 4th year of a course in a U.S. college huddle: v — — to (cause to ) crowd together, in a group or in a pile Examples The flood victims huddled together for warmth that night. He lay huddled up in bed, his knees almost touching his chin. More to learn More to learn

3. due: — — (showing arrangements made in advance ) expected; supposed (to) The next train to London is due here at 4 o’clock. I am due to leave quite soon now The plane due to arrive at 10 has been delayed for 2 hours by a heavy fog. Examples

4. On their faces was confidence. This is an inverted sentence. The natural word-order of the sentence is “Confidence was on their faces”. Another example of this kind of sentence in the passage is in paragraph 5. “On their faces was a frightened expression.” Paraphrase

5. Some talked of jobs they already had; others of jobs they would get. talk of: — — talk about We were just talking of the matter before you came in. He talked of going abroad at his birthday party. More to learn More to learnExamples

6. some..., others..., still others... On weekends college students have various kinds of activities. Some go to their part- time jobs; others to cinemas and theaters; still others to the gymnasium to exercise themselves. Examples

7. With all this assurance of four years of college study, they felt ready and able to conquer the world. Paraphrase Four years of study at college had given them the confidence in their ability and power. They thought they were ready and able to gain control over whatever they would do after graduating from college.

8. The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap. They knew the approaching exam would be very easy. You can use each of the following expressions to say that something is easy. Paraphrase It is easy / a snap /a piece of cake / no sweat.

9. file into: — — to march or walk in the specified direction in a single line As the audience filed into the stadium, they found the pop group was already there. More to learn More to learnExamples

10. file out of When the audience filed out of the stadium after the concert was over, they found it had started to snow.Examples

11. pass out: — — to give out; to distribute He is standing in front of the supermarket, passing out flyers to customers. Please pass out these sheets to the students in the lecture hall. Examples

12. essay-type questions: These are also called discussion questions, because the student is expected to discuss a topic and provide facts, reasons, examples, etc. to support the answer, with the grade depending mainly on how well the answer is supported not just on the student’s opinion. Paraphrase

13. no longer: — — not any more; not at the present time He has no longer driven to work ever since his doctor told him to exercise more. He no longer lives in this apartment for he has bought a large house near where he works. Examples

14. survey: — — to look at, examine or consider ( a person, place or condition ) as a whole You can survey the countryside from the top of the hill. He surveyed me from head to foot. Examples

15. I just want to impress upon you that... I just want to make you remember that... impress upon: — — to make the importance of (sth.) clear to sb. The professor impressed upon his students the importance of learning how to learn at college. His songs are strongly impressed on my memory. Examples

16. The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson she taught. After all these years, I don’t remember clearly the name of the professor, but I do remember clearly the lesson she taught. Paraphrase More to learn More to learn

17. obscure: — — to hide; to make difficult to see or understand The moon was obscured by clouds. His fame was obscured by that of his wife. Examples