Question

阅读理解。

If your parents were to surprise you with a present on your birthday, which one would you prefer, a trip to the amusement park or a new pair of shoes?

According to Science Daily, about one­third of the people are likely to prefer shoes to a fun trip. These people are called “materialists”， namely, those who value material goods more than experiences. But which of the two choices makes people happier?

Back in 2009, Ryan Howell, a professor at San Francisco State University, found that in the long run, experiences make people happier than possessions. This is because the joy of receiving a new object fades over time as you get used to seeing it every day. Experiences, on the other hand, can continue to bring you joy in the future through happy memories.

But materialists should at least be happy when they first buy something, shouldn't they?

To figure it out, Howell did another study. He classified a group of adults according to their personality types, ranging from less materialistic to more materialistic. Each person was asked different questions to see how they felt about spending money on material goods versus spending money on experiences.

As expected, the more materialistic participants got less happiness from purchases than the less materialistic, because such purchases didn't fit with their personalities and values. But to Howell's surprise, he found that materialists weren't any happier even if they spent money on material items.

This is because materialists worry that others may criticize or look down on their choices. “There are certain value systems that are rejected by society，” said Howell. “When we find out someone is materialistic, we think less of them, and that drives their happiness down.”

Another reason is that materialistic people always focus on what they don't have instead of what they have now. This makes them feel less satisfied and grateful.

If you happen to be a materialistic person, there's something you can try. “If materialists make more accurate purchases, rather than trying to impress others, they will be happier，” Howell said.

You should also remember what an ancient Greek philosopher once said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

1.What did Ryan Howell find in his studies?

A．Material goods bring people less happiness than experiences.

B．About one­third of the people prefer material goods to experiences.

C．Materialists have more fun spending money on goods than on experiences.

D．Receiving a new object brings lasting joy while the joy of an experience fades soon.

2.What did Ryan Howell want to find out by doing another study?

A．How to judge whether a person is a materialist.

B．Why materialists are not happy with their purchases.

C．How materialists feel when they spend money on goods.

D．Whether materialists are happy when they first make purchases.

3.Why does the author use the ancient Greek philosopher's words in the last paragraph?

A．To advise materialistic people not to try to impress others.

B．To persuade people to be satisfied with what they have.

C．To prove it's unwise to be materialistic and desire too much.

D．To tell readers what they desire now might one day become theirs.

4.What can be the best title for the passage?

A．Are You a Materialist?

B．How To Acquire Happiness?

C．The Best Present for the Birthday

D．Which Can Make People Happier?

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题解析：

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“... found that in the long run, experiences make people happier than possessions”可知，经历比物品更能使人感到高兴。根据第六段中的“the more materialistic participants got less happiness from purchases than the less materialistic”可知，比较倾向物质主义的参与者比不太倾向物质主义的参与者从购物中得到的快乐更少。由此可见， Ryan Howell 在他的研究中发现：有形物质比经历给人带来的快乐更少。因此，该题选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段“But materialists should at least be happy when they first buy something, shouldn't they？”及第五段第一句“To figure it out, Howell did another study.”可知该题选D。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段中那位哲学家的话“不要因期望你没有的东西而毁掉了你现在拥有的东西。记住：你现在拥有的东西就在你曾经渴望得到的东西之中”，再结合上文 Ryan Howell 研究得出的结论可知，作者引用这位哲学家的话旨在说服人们要对目前拥有的事物感到知足。因此，该题选B。

4.标题归纳题。通读全文可知，作者通过引用 Ryan Howell 的研究结果证实经历比有形物质更能给人带来快乐，故D项作文章标题最佳。