When I was young, I wished for a good car and a big house. That was my idea of success. I took all the advanced classes and tried to do well in the exams with my mind set on going to a key school. I just knew that I would somehow become famous and be able to afford the car and the dream house. All the way through junior years, my mind was planning this beautiful future.
Then in the eleventh grade, many losses changed my mind. First, one of my friends died at 16. Soon after, my great-grandmother passed away, followed by my beloved fourth-grade teacher. These events left me not knowing what to do or where to go. Death had never touched me so closely.
After a long period of emptiness, it finally struck me: Life is not promised and neither is future success. Though I was attempting to achieve material success, I was not enjoying my daily life. I realized that finding inner peace, purpose and happiness will stick with me forever and that is real success.
Enjoying life’s precious quirks (偶发事件) makes an ordinary person more successful than a wealthy person who isn’t content and takes everything for granted. The summer before senior years, my attitude changed greatly. Instead of memorizing facts, I began learning skills. Instead of focusing on the future, I focused on today and the many blessings and successes that came with it.
I still get excellent grades, but now I devote weeks to studying instead of struggling for exams, and I think about the future with a deeper sense of meaning. For me, being successful means truly living life each day.
9. The reason why the author changed his idea of success is that ________.
A. he can’t afford his house B. he lost a few beloved persons in a short time
C. he didn’t know what to do or where to go D. his beloved teacher died
10. According to the author, which of the following is the real success for a person?
A. Being famous. B. Good car and big house.
C. Truly living life each day. D. Material achievements.
11. What does the author want to tell the readers?
A. His opinion about success. B. The true meaning of studying.
C. How to achieve success. D. The true meaning of life.
12. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. He didn’t want to take all the exams.
B. His teacher died before the death of his great-grandpa.
C. The author didn’t do well in all the exams.
D. The author thinks that success is not promised.