Research into happiness is always o

Research into happiness is always open to question . Do people , when asked , tell the truth about whether or not they are happy? Isn’t it peculiar to tell a complete stranger that you are miserable? Possibly . Nevertheless, people who fill in questionnaires without giving their names show the same sort of results as those in open interview. It might also be suggested that people do not know whether they are happy or not. But , if you believe that most people are aware of their own emotional state and express it honestly when asked , the research makes some fascinating discoveries. It is interesting to note what does not necessarily make you happy. Class, wealth , social position , intelligence , and race are all poor indicators (although poverty is a good indicator of unhappiness). Women are slightly happier than men , and older people rather satisfied _though less joyful_ than younger people . But most people are _or claim to be_ happy. This is , surprisingly , the same for everyone . “Whatever situation people are in, whether they are prisoners or lottery winners, roughly the same levels of happiness can be found”.
Marriage is a greater source of happiness than being single. 35 % of married men and 25.5% of married women claim to be very happy, whereas the figures for single men and women are 18.5% and 25.5%. However, having children is not the source of happiness many believe it to be . Survey after survey shows that happiness levels begin to fall after the birth of a child, reaching their lowest point in the teenage years and only return to previous levels when the children leave home . This is rather strange , since people keep on having kids despite the clear evidence that having children makes you less happy . One possible explanation is that there are things that people consider more valuable than happiness ,like a feeling of being worthwhile. Or maybe bad marriages stick together because of children.
46 The word ‘peculiar” is closest in meaning to….
A odd B insane C abnormal D extraordinary
47 The word ‘it’ refers to…..
A the research into happiness
B an open interview
C an indicator of happiness
D people’s awareness of their own happiness
48 The word ”indicators” is closest in meaning to….
A explanations B conclusions C signs D marks
49 The word “roughly” is closest in meaning to….
A nearly B mainly C exactly D approximately
50 Why could research into happiness be unreliable ?
A It isn’t possible to identify the people answering the questions
B Those filling in questionnaires can copy other people’s answers
C People don’t tell the truth when talking to strangers
D People may not be sure of their own emotions
51 In general the writer thinks the results of the research are……
A incorrect B unexpected C unbelievable D unfair
52 What did the researchers discover about levels of happiness?
A A sudden change in circumstances can make people less happy
B Childhood is the happiest time of life
C There is little variation from one person to another
D Successful people are more likely to be happy
53 According to the passage , which people would be happiest ?
A Single people
B The parents of teenagers
C Married couples with a new baby
D Married couples without children.
54 Which of the following is not true about having kids according to the passage ?
A When children leave home and become independent, parents feel sad
B Having children does not bring people happiness
C When their children in their teens , parents don’t feel happy
D People still want to have kids though they know they will feel less happy
55 It is difficult to explain why people………..
A remain married in spite of unhappiness
B consider marriage worthwhile
C continue to have children
D value happiness more than anything else