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You don't need millions to be happy.In fact,at The Happiness Institute in Australia,a couple of
hundred dollars may be enough.
The institute opened its door last year,and,since then,men and women of all ages have been paying
$200 an hour for lessons on how to feel great.
"You can actually increase your happiness levels.That's what we teach," said Timothy Sharp,founder
of the institute.
Experts say that only about 15 percent of happiness comes from income,assets and other financial
factors.As much as 85 percent comes from things such as attitude,life control and relationships.
Most of us are significantly better off financially than our parents and grandparents,but happiness
levels haven't changed to reflect that.
Studies show that once the basic needs of shelter and food are met,additional wealth adds very little
to happiness.
Many decades ago,the "sage of Baltimore,Maryland",editor H L Mencken,defined (下定义) wealth
as earning $100 more than your "wife's sister's husband".
Behavioral economists now say part of the reason we are richer but not happier is that we compare
ourselves to people better off materially.
"The argument is that if you want to be happy there's a very simple thing you can do:
Compare yourself to people who are less well_off than you-poorer,smaller house and car," said
Sharp.
The Happiness Institute aims to show you how to overcome these unhappiness factors by focusing
on "more than just your bank account".
"If I compare myself to Bill Gates then I'm always going to be down," said Sharp.
A better thing to compare with,he said,might be Kerry Packer,Australia's richest person who has
had a kidney transplant (肾脏移植) and heart surgery in recent years.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. You can increase your happiness levels by attending the classes at The Happiness Institute.
B. Most of us are happier than our parents or grandparents since we earn more.
C. Earn $100 more than your wife's sister's husband if you want to be happy.
D. Both Bill Gates and Kerry Packer are examples of those who are extremely rich but
obviously unhappy.
2. The underlined phrase has the same meaning as the word________.
A. healthy
B. unhealthy
C. free
D. wealthy
3. The author wrote the passage to tell us________.
A. happiness is everything
B. wealth is the foundation of happiness
C. we can have fun at The Happiness Institute
D. money doesn't always mean happiness
4. According to the passage,happiness mainly depends on________.
A. income,assets and other financial factors
B. additional wealth apart from the satisfaction of the basic needs of shelter and food
C. things like attitude,life control and relationships
D. society development