Question

    Think you have already reached your peak in life? You might want to think again. According to a new research, we're happiest at two periods in our lives — not just one. Researchers at the London School of Economics and Political Science asked 23,000 German volunteers aged 17 to 85 to rate their life satisfaction. Participants predicted how happy they would feel in five years, and then, after five years' time, reported back on how they actually felt.

Their results? Anything but unpleasant! The study found that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve over an individual's lifetime, with satisfaction reaching higher levels during the extremes of the study’s age range and swinging down in middle age. Plus, the researchers noted the two most important years when happiness peaks: ages 23 and 69.

As is shown in our daily life, it makes a lot of sense. In our early 20s, we're energetic and excited about the changes that come along with young age: new jobs, new places to travel, and new people to meet. By the time we reach our 60s and 70s, though, we have likely retired and can now find the time — not to mention the money — to book a flight to Hawaii at a moment's notice. After all, your 40+ years are a busy time filled with raising families, climbing the corporate ladder, and you know, it's the life in general.

Of course, that's all the more reason to find easy ways to be happier without really trying, regardless of your age! Experts recommend prioritizing (优先考虑) small yet rewarding tasks like taking a walk or spending time with family. Just remember, now you have one more reason to look forward to getting older: an increase in happiness!

1.What does the author think of the research results?

A.They are predictable. B.They are annoying.

C.They are satisfactory. D.They are surprising.

2.What does the underlined word "it" refer to in Paragraph 3?

A.The outcome of the research. B.The second peak in life.

C.The study's age range. D.The first peak in life.

3.When does people’s satisfaction reach the lowest in a lifetime?

A.In one’s teens. B.In one's forties.

C.In one's twenties. D.In one's sixties.

4.Which of the following might be the best title for the text?

A.The shape of happiness. B.The older, the happier.

C.How to be happy. D.The happiest ages in life.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲了研究发现，快乐在一个人的一生中呈U形曲线，满意度在研究年龄范围的两个极端时达到较高水平，在中年时下降。

1.推理判断题。根据最后一段Just remember, now you have one more reason to look forward to getting older: an increase in happiness!可知，只要记住，现在你又多了一个期待变老的理由：幸福感的增加！由此推断出，作者认为研究结果是令人满意的。故选C。

2.词义猜测题。上文Plus, the researchers noted the two most important years when happiness peaks: ages 23 and 69.可知，说此外，研究人员还指出了最重要的两个幸福高峰期：23岁和69岁。下文说在我们20岁出头的时候，我们精力充沛，对伴随年轻而来的变化感到兴奋：新的工作，新的旅行地点，新的朋友。然而，到了六七十岁的时候，我们可能已经退休了，现在有时间了——更不用说钱了——可以随时预订去夏威夷的机票。由此可知，As is shown in our daily life, it makes a lot of sense.意思是“正如在我们的日常生活中所显示的，研究结果很有意义”。it指的是研究结果。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据第二段The study found that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve over an individual's lifetime, with satisfaction reaching higher levels during the extremes of the study’s age range and swinging down in middle age.可知，研究发现，快乐在一个人的一生中呈U形曲线，满意度在研究年龄范围的两个极端时达到较高水平，在中年时下降。由此可知，在一个人四十多岁时，他的满意度会降至一生最低。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据第二段The study found that happiness tends to follow a U-shaped curve over an individual's lifetime, with satisfaction reaching higher levels during the extremes of the study’s age range and swinging down in middle age. Plus, the researchers noted the two most important years when happiness peaks: ages 23 and 69.可知，研究发现，快乐在一个人的一生中呈U形曲线，满意度在研究年龄范围的两个极端时达到较高水平，在中年时下降。此外，研究人员还指出了最重要的两个幸福高峰期：23岁和69岁。这是全文的主题句，结合全文内容可知，这篇文章主要介绍了研究人员对于人们生命中最快乐的时光的研究结果，所以这篇文章最好的题目是“生命中最快乐的时光”。故选D。