That was last year's prompts. This year's aren't so different, but I think the distinction between the topics is a little clearer.
Quote:
1. There is a Quaker saying: “Let your life speak.” Describe the environment in which you were raised—your family, home, neighborhood or community—and how it influenced the person you are today.
2. Self-identity and personal expression take many forms. For example, music, clothing, politics, extracurricular interests and ethnicity can each be a defining attribute. Do you surf or tinker? Are you a vegetarian poet who loves Ayn Rand? Do you prefer YouTube or test tubes? Are you preppie or Goth? Use the richness of your life to give us insight: what voice will you add to the class of 2014?
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Preface: Part of what I love about our applicants are not just the myriad of ways they choose to answer these questions, but the differences in their very interpretations of the questions. Our supplement is open ended because we want you to feel comfortable pushing the meaning of the questions and, thus, the meaning of your answers. Do NOT restrict yourself to my interpretation.
Here's how I think of the questions. Learning, and social interaction, is a two way process: you absorb the world around you, but you also reflect yourself back into the world. Those questions provide an understanding of both of those directions. Number 1 encourages you to think about how the world around you contributes to your sense of self. Number 2 guides you towards thinking about what your identity and perspective contribute back into the world.
Reiteration of Preface: define the questions. Don't let the questions define you. 
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