1，2）我认为修改如下：
The reason （that）（the） attitude sometimes decides the outcome （lies） in small things like preparing for a test（or referring to ）the considerable achievement of Chris Gardner, and the household story of Romeoand Juliet.
lie in：高级词汇引申意义。
refer to ：涉及;指的是;适用于;参考。
matter和thing的区别参考 ：http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/51181940.html?loc_ans=174127988
2）the reason why...is that 固定搭配，...的理由是...
例句：the reason why you were late is that you got up late.
你迟到的理由就是你起晚了。
the reason that ...的理由
例句 ：the reason that you were late can‘t convince me.
你迟到的理由不能让我信服。
注意一下 句子要表达的意思就可以区分了。这个不难区分，不必总记着句型，通过理解意思 记忆效果更佳。