并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

　　I was studying chemistry at college because my family thought it was the key to success. One day, my professor took me aside and asked a very simple question, "Why are you in my class when it's obvious that you have little or no 11 in chemistry?"

　　I came up with an explanation by 12 pressure from my dad, but he knew it was just a /an 13 excuse. He gave me the following advice.

　　"Success can only be measured by oneself, and each of us is 14 . Your success will not be the same as mine, as your neighbor's or your parents'. There is no secret formula(公式), no examination you have to 15 , and no guarantee, but there is a secret ingredient- 16 . To be successful in life in the broadest sense, you must pursue your passion. 17 it is fixing cars or exploring the world, you must be passionate about your 18 and set a path to achieve it. Only then will you find true 19 ."

　　Since I was just nineteen years old, that was pretty profound advice to 20 , but I knew instinctively (本能地) that he was 21 . I made a conscious self-examination of my short life to 22 where my passion was hiding. It was so 23 that even my kid sister could have told me my true passion was music. It was in my genes. I could play the piano by ear, but had 24 considered music as a hobby.

　　Could I be a successful musician? Or a songwriter? Or a music critic? There was only one way to find out, so I took my professor's 25 and switched to the university's music school. I studied harmony and composition, learned how to play a clarinet(单簧管) and 26 the symphony orchestra. I felt as though I was on top of the world, and that 27 has never left me.

　　I'm now fifty-four years old, and a very happy and 28 man. As I look at the walls of my small office, I still get a thrill at seeing the records I 29 , the photos of the famous musicians I was lucky enough to play with, and the praises from many of the finest instrumentalists in the world who I am honored to call my friends.

　　Life was a long journey, and not a/an 30 one, but I followed my passion and succeeded.

11. A. achievement B. doubt C. interest D. belief

12. A. blaming B. gathering C. overcoming D. reducing

13. A. accurate B. weak C. direct D. innocent

14. A. different B. perfect C. honest D. creative

15. A. design B. pass C. control D. stand

16. A. knowledge B. confidence C. passion D. effort

17. A. Unless B. Because C. While D. Whether

18. A. study B. need C. goal D. gift

19. A. fortune B. friendship C. character D. happiness

20. A. confirm B. absorb C. remember D. seek

21. A. sensitive B. generous C. kind D. right

22. A. choose B. report C. discover D. follow

23. A. likely B. obvious C. popular D. practical

24. A. only B. even C. never D. seldom

25. A. message B. lecture C. advice D. view