Reading Text: The Happiness Effect
Reading Text: The Happiness Effect
Reading Text: The Happiness Effect
Directions: Read the selection and answer the questions that follow.
READING TEXT:
The Happiness Effect
Happiness may be the primary goal of human existence. Philosophers have wrestled with the
concept of happiness. Legislators create laws to support citizens’ rights to pursue happiness. Television,
radio, and print advertisers assure consumers that various products will guarantee happiness.
Interestingly, people have a tendency to believe they are happier than their neighbors, and they are
optimistic about their happiness in the future. Most people assume that they will be happier a decade from
now than they are today.
Clearly, everyone from writers and philosophers to legislators and the average person on the
street thinks a great deal about happiness. What makes happiness so important to human existence?
Why Be Happy?
Not only does happiness feel good, but it appears to provide a variety of psychological and
physical benefits. Happiness plays a significant role in enhancing good health, strengthening the immune
system, promoting longevity, improving productivity and performance, and increasing resilience. Happy
people work hard, play hard, have an active social life (and a social conscience), experience good health,
and live longer. A happy person lives an average of nine years longer than a miserable one.
Why Am I Here?
Scientists report that believing in some kind of meaning for one’s life is necessary to living a
happy life. This may be a religion, a code of ethics, a particular value system, a philosophy, or any other
reason for being that lifts people out of the mundane routine of daily existence and gives their life
meaning beyond a weekly paycheck.
Reasons to Smile
Smiling…
is contagious.
relieves stress.
improves your mood.
helps you stay positive.
lowers your blood pressure.
attracts other people to you.
makes you appear confident.
boosts your immune system.
Reading time:
No. of words
misread/ can’t be
read
2. What change occurs as a result of adding the prefix un- to fortunate in paragraph 4?
A. the word becomes more intense
B. the word becomes less intense
C. the word takes on the opposite meaning
D. the word takes on a different part of speech
4. In the section With a Little Help from My Friends, why does the author use the phrase “misery may
love company”?
A. to convince people that pets are better company than a loving partner
B. to encourage people to find mates for their friends who are unhappy
C. to point out that people will be happier with positive relationships
D. to recommend that people try to influence negative people in a positive way
6. In the section The Habit of Happiness, what does the word innate mean?
A. natural and existing
B. incomplete and building
C. absent and unfamiliar
D. learned and habitual