2BR02B by Kurt Vonnegut

About the Book

Title: 2BR02B
Author: Kurt Vonnegut
Genre: Science Fiction (a dystopian short story)
Year of Publication: 1967
Pages: About 7 magazine pages in its first publication (pages 59–65)

Summary: What the Book Is About

This story shows a future world where the population is controlled very strictly. If a baby is born, someone else must die to “make room.” A man named Wehling is waiting at a hospital while his wife has triplets. He is nervous, angry, and scared, because rules will force a terrible choice. The story is calm and almost polite, but the topic is heavy: who decides the value of a life, and what happens when “good manners” hide something cruel.

Short quote: “Your city thanks you; your country thanks you; your planet thanks you.”

English Level

• Recommended level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Also good for: Learners preparing for IELTS 6.0–6.5 (or similar level exams), because the story uses clear sentences but also includes irony, formal speech, and ethical vocabulary.

Why this book is helpful for English learners

This is a short text, so it is easier to finish than a long novel. At the same time, it gives you serious “real-world” language: emotions, argument, rules, and moral questions.

Skills you practice

• Reading: You learn to follow a tense scene with dialogue and quick changes.

• Vocabulary: You meet words about society, law, medicine, and ethics (examples: “population,” “termination,” “appointment,” “hostess”).

• Idioms and tone: Vonnegut often says something dark in a polite way. You practice reading between the lines.

• Grammar in context:

  • reported speech (“she said…”)

  • polite questions (“How soon could I…?”)

  • conditionals (rules that create consequences)

Estimated unique words: around 1,200–1,800 (estimate for a short story of this length).
Tip: track new words in small groups (10–15 at a time) and reuse them in your own sentences.

A simple reading plan (fast and practical)

1. First read (10–20 minutes): just understand the plot. Don’t stop too much.

2. Second read: highlight words about rules, life/death, emotions.

3. Third pass: read the dialogue out loud to practice rhythm and speaking confidence.

Mini glossary table (learn vocabulary faster)

User Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Short, sharp, and unforgettable. It makes you ask hard questions, even after you finish.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Very easy to read, but emotionally intense. The polite tone makes it even more disturbing.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Very easy to read, but emotionally intense. The polite tone makes it even more disturbing.”

Average Rating: 4.5 / 5

Did You Know?

1. The title looks like a code because it is a dial-style code: it plays with the phrase “to be, or not to be” from Hamlet.
2. The story first appeared in a science-fiction magazine, which helped Vonnegut reach readers who enjoyed big “what if?” ideas in short form.
3. Even though the story is short, it is often used in classes and discussions because it mixes simple language with deep ethics (a classic Vonnegut style).

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

These choices are also short, idea-driven, and good for learners who want meaningful English:

• “Harrison Bergeron” — Kurt Vonnegut (a sharp dystopia about forced equality)

• “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” — Ursula K. Le Guin (a moral story about comfort and hidden suffering)

• Brave New World — Aldous Huxley (a classic dystopian novel about control, happiness, and freedom)