I don't think whether you started and personally decided to withdraw or were unable to continue in the middle and were withdrawn by others really matters and an evaluator's opinion that you lack passion is their opinion which, as alleged "experts" they have but it is still just an opinion. You chose that school to go to and those experts to teach you so you are subject to their evaluation.

I would be glad it is the same supervisors; I'd want to show them how much I have healed and would be happy to tear through their regimen of coursework and research so they and I would both know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am ready, willing, and able to perform up to the highest standards.

If the student could decide when to "not play", that would make a mockery of reality? There are many students who don't try very hard, want a "do over" because of various personal reasons, etc. You are not one of them but there's really no way for others to know for sure unless you do your oral presentation and then jump through their other learning hoops.

Perhaps you accented the illness and lined up your "I was really ill!" experts a bit more than your "I really wanted to continue" and "She's really anxious to get back to teaching" ones, I don't know but something was not quite enough for someone so they have given you the opportunity to literally show your passion to get back in there by doing something additional to prove it (instead of just talking about it?). Think of it like when you use to be allowed to do a book report to get your grade a bit higher so you could get the "A" instead of the "B"?