Reading
1 Read the text. Match the headings A–D to
paragraphs 1–4. (2 marks)
A How important are free-time activities?
B Do these things really make us happy?
C Do we feel happy when we buy things?
D Why is it good to be active?
1_____
Many people think: ‘If I have a lot of money, get a
dream job or buy a fantastic house, I will be happy.’
But scientists know that these things are not very
important.
2_____
People are happier when they spend time with
friends and family. If you buy something you really
want, you will be happier for about two weeks.
When the thing isn’t new anymore, it stops making
you happy, and after about a month, you stop
thinking about it. Scientists compared how people
felt when they bought something and how they felt
when they spent time with friends or family. After
spending time with other people, their feelings of
happiness were stronger, and every time they
remembered this experience, they felt happy again.
3_____
Exercise is also important. When we exercise, we
feel better and happier. Researchers asked some
elderly people to do 30 minutes of exercise every
day for a month. Then they wrote down how they
felt before and after the exercise. They all said they
felt happier after the exercise.
4_____
If you want to forget your problems, do a free-time
activity. Join a club to spend time with people and
make new friends. And if you learn new things from
doing a hobby, you will feel happier, too.
2 Read the text again and choose the correct
answer. (8 marks)
1 What three things do many people think will
make them happy?
A money, free-time activities, new things
B money, new things, exercise
C money, a good job, a big house
2 How long do people feel happy when they buy a
new thing?
A two months
B two weeks
C two years
3 Who did researchers ask to exercise for half an
hour every day?
A elderly people
B teenagers
C teenagers and adults
4 How can a free-time activity make you happy?
A You can forget your problems¸ make friends
and learn new things.
B You can organize a club and talk about your
problems.
C You can spend time away from home, learn to
do a sport and make new friends.
3 Read the text again. Complete the sentences
with one word in each gap. (6 marks)
1 Many people think they will be happy if they
can buy a ______________ or get a great
job.
2 ______________ things can only make you
happy for a short time.
3 Feelings of happiness are ______________
after spending time with other people.
4 When old people ______________ for half an
hour a day, they feel happier.
5 If you have a free-time activity, it will help you
forget your ______________.
6 You feel happier if you can learn new things
from a ______________ activity.