<p>I'm not exactly sure what the CB is looking for in an essay, so maybe someone could help me grade this essay. I couldn't think of any decent examples, so I just made one up. It's a bit short, but I did what I could after losing a bit of time in the beginning.</p>
<p>Topic: Do you think that ease does not challenge us and that we need adversity to help us discover who we are?</p>
<p>Essay:</p>
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<p>In order to discover ourselves, we must face adverse conditions. We must must ourselves to our limits and found out where those limits lie. Our stengths and weaknesses will become pronounced, and it is in this way that we learn more about ourselves.</p>
<p>A very good friend of minde who got accepted to the prestigious and challenging high school I now attend decided to attend his local high school instead. He was quite bright, but I must admit, he was a little lazy. He had a relatively easy time in high school, breezing through all of his courses. He failed to push himself to his limits. Now, he is looking to apply to college. Sadly, he doesn't know what he wants to study and doesn't even have the faintest idea of what he might want to become. He knows little of his strengths and his abilities. Had he decided to attend the school I currently attend, maybe he would have discovered his true strengths and weaknesses and had a better idea of what he wants to do in life, as I did.</p>
<p>It is sad to see talent going to waste. My friend should not have taken the easy way out. He didn't push himself to his limits, thus preventing him from learning more about himself. One should always challenge his or herself. Only then will you really know yourself and know where your limits lie.</p>
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<p>I think I might have chosen a poor example and didn't really integrate it that well with the topic.</p>
<p>I'm guessing an 8. Is that about right?</p>