The IELTS exam gives extraordinary chances for you to study or work in several other countries. It is carried out to prepare you and to do the correct and fair assessment of all the candidates. In the exam, you are given a passage to read and are asked to answer all the questions given below it. You must have a good amount of practice and abilities to do it supremely. The IELTS exam requires your brain and English potential. You must have a great hold on the command of the English language and reading abilities along with good communication.
Are you doing IELTS preparation? Have you not been through the passage yet? Well, you need not go anywhere because here is the passage – What makes us happy, for you to practice with questions.
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IELTS Exam
The IELTS exam is conducted in four major areas. All the areas have their influence and are important for growing you perfectly. The portions include writing, reading, listening, and speaking. All of these are based on your English language capabilities and learning. Primarily, there are two types of exams that are general and academic. For the listening and speaking tests both the examinations are similar which is organized through educational and training questions and interviews respectively. Writing test includes essay and letter writing for general and short essay writing along with descriptions of tables and diagrams in academic. Reading test is also different for both exams. It consists of reading long or short texts coming from advertisements for general and magazines or newspapers for academics. You need to prepare for each exam with diligence and loyalty.
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What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 1
Do you seriously want to be happy? Of course, you do! But what does it take to be happy? Many psychologists are now using scientific methods to try to understand the nature and origins of happiness. Their results may surprise you.
Surprisingly, happiness is a constitutional trait. The study of different types of twins; identical and non-identical, has enabled scientists to calculate that 50-60% of self-identified happiness – and what other sort is there? – is down to genes. Of course, there is no one specific gene that determines happiness, but a great many, and they tend to overlap with the genes that determine personality. People who are emotionally stable, sociable and conscientious, tend to be happier according to the research.
What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 2
Now, many people believe that money makes us happy. However, there is no clear relationship between wealth and happiness. Once out of poverty, increases in wealth do not automatically turn into relative increases in happiness. For example, winning the lottery may give a rush of joy and excitement but does not ensure long-term contentment. Studies have shown that lottery winners take less pleasure in everyday events following their win. It seems that they soon get habituated to their money, while at the same time they have distanced themselves from their former lives and identities by leaving jobs, friends, and lifestyles.
What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 3
Nor does a steady increase in income make for greater happiness. The more we have, the more we seem to want, so we are always stuck at the same level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction. The perception of wealth is a relative thing: we are discontented when those with who we compare ourselves are better off than ourselves. This goes some way to explain why, in most Western countries, average incomes have increased considerably but without any increase in the average levels of happiness.
If wealth does not bring happiness, what about spending it? There is no doubt that shopping gives us a short-lived burst of pleasure – but very little more than that. The only type of shopping that might provide longer-term happiness is when we buy things for other people.
What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 4
Nor does happiness does not come in liquid or tablet form. A couple of drinks at a party may lighten our mood and be good for us medically and mentally, but alcohol abuse destroys our body, mind, and relationships. Similarly, drugs like cocaine and ecstasy give brief bursts of joy but there is a massive price to be paid when the high is over.
So, what can we do to improve our sense of well-being? First, we need to realize that we are not passive victims of external events. We can and should take control of our life to make them rewarding and satisfying. We should adopt a positive attitude, and overcome feelings of worthlessness and build our self-confidence and self-esteem.
What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 5
We should try to reduce the burden of unnecessary worry. If there is something that can be done about a problem we are worrying about then we should do it, and stop worrying. And of course, there is no point in worrying about things we can’t change. A sense of humor is good protection against adversity and a strong antidote to depression. One of the key symptoms of depression is the loss of the ability to laugh.
A key feature of happy and contented people is that they have a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Rather than just drifting through life, they have a clear set of values and goals that they are trying to achieve. This could be associated with faith, humanitarianism and family values, artistic or scientific aspirations, and career ambitions. All these things provide a sense of identity as well as something to work towards or look forward to.
What Makes Us Happy Reading Answers- IELTS Reading Answers Part 6
Happiness is a positive by-product of keeping active. But not just being busy, we need to be doing things that raise self-esteem and satisfy us; controlling our schedule, and prioritizing activities that satisfy our own needs. And saying ‘no’ to other people if necessary. Of course, this doesn’t mean we have to be selfish. Being active members of the community or volunteering for a charity or helping your family can all create happiness – particularly for older people.
So, should we actively pursue happiness? Curiously, the happiest people seem to be those who do not actively see it – indeed the ‘pursuit of happiness may be counterproductive. To a large extent, happiness emerges as a by-product of who we are and what we do. Conversely, people who focus on making others happy usually make themselves happy in the process.
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Questions Related to IELTS Reading Passage
Question Number 1
Following are a few statements given from the passage above. You have to check the answers from the passage and write them correctly.
#1. Happiness has been shown to be a _____________.
Answer: constitutional trait.
#2. People who are emotionally _______________ tends to be happier according to the research.
Answer: stable, sociable and conscientious.
#3. Nor does a steady increase in __________ make for greater happiness.
Answer: income.
#4. ____________ is a positive byproduct of keeping active.
Answer: happiness.
#5. Pursuit of happiness may be ___________ .
Answer: counterproductive.
#6. We should try to reduce the burden of ____________.
Answer: unnecessary worry.
Question Number 2
Look at the statements below and after reading them, write TRUE or FALSE in front of them.
TRUE – If the statement agrees with the information that is given above in the passage.
FALSE – If the statement disagrees with the information that is given above in the passage.
#1. Drugs like cocaine do not give any joy.
Answer: FALSE.
#2. The feature of happy people is that they have a purpose and sense of meaning in life.
Answer: TRUE.
#3. Studies have shown that lottery winners take more pleasure in everyday events following their win.
Answer: FALSE.
#4. Nor does happiness does not come in liquid or tablet form.
Answer: TRUE.
#5. Many people believe that money makes us happy.
Answer: TRUE.
#6. You must not work on controlling the schedule.
Answer: FALSE.
#7. We should build our self-confidence.
Answer: TRUE.
#8. Never say “no” to other people.
Answer: FALSE.
Also Read: Henry Moore Reading Answers: Reading Passage Answers for IELTS Preparation.
Conclusion
If you are a candidate for the IELTS exam and want to know things or practice passages then you must go through the whole article. We hope that you will get knowledge and learning from the articles. The passage is given with the relevant questions and answers for you so that you can get the experience and idea of the pattern of the exam. If you have any query regarding it you can visit the IELTS Ninja website where you will know all the details regarding the examination. You will get the guidance and mentorship of experts in this field who will develop your skills in a broader sense. Once you reach the website and ask for your problem you will then just need to practice effectively and show your hard work. Other things will be told to you by the professionals along with making you ready for the exam.
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