Whatever!

Skimming and Scanning

Match the paragraph with proper the heading

A. Happiness is to stop worrying and enjoy life.

B. Happiness is just a state of mind.C. Happiness is half genetic.D. Happiness is something that cannot be

bought with money.

1_____ 2_____ 3_____ 4____C B AD

Guess the meaning of new words through context.

Happiness is fifty percent genetic.

That means if you come from a long line of

happy people, you will probably be happy

too.

= That means if you have a happy gene,

you will probably be happy too.

P1

That means if you come from a long line of happy people, you will probably be happy too. Unfortunately, I come from a long line of Scotch / Irish, a notoriously grumpy people.

Which of the following word has the closest meaning to the word ‘grumpy’?A. happy B. overjoyed C. easily get angry D. pleasant

Answer the questions

What is the definition of ‘Happiness’ according to Para.2?Happiness is just a state of mind.

What does ‘a state of mind’ refer to?It refers to a feeling of contentment, satisfaction, joy and pleasure.

The author uses two examples in Para.2 in order to show that___________________________________________________

Example Two

we all have moments ofhappiness even if they don’t last

long.

P2

Fill in the chart.

The aim of the research

To find _______________ in China: ____________

Things measured in the survey

________, _______ , _____________________, _____________________, a sense of security

Special activity

Lesson learned

Happiness cannot be bought with ______.

P3the happiest

cityincome jobs

close family relationshipa feeling of usefulness

Singing

money

Chongqing

a sense of securitya sense of humor humorousa sense of responsibility responsiblea sense of security safe

Chongqing topped the list in all these categories.Shanghai didn’t make it into top ten of happy Chinese cities.

V.

Adj.

Comparison.

Older people Younger people

A golden rule for happiness:

___________________________________________________________________

P4

VS.

Stop worrying and learn to enjoy life.

happier less happy

stop worrying

& enjoy life

worry a lot about love, money

and future

The less you worry, the happier you will be.

The more / less / fewer / adj.+er ______________, the happier you will be.

Happiness

While people are busy pursuing happiness, few of them fully understand the meaning of it. Much to our surprise, happiness is half ________ , which helps to explain why some people are born to be happy. But you don’t have to despair if you are not lucky enough to have a happy gene. Happiness is simply a __________ of mind and a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure. Therefore, it is possible for people to be happy in difficult and unpleasant times.

genetic

state

To stop ________ is another way to stay happy. The _______ away you are from worries, the happier you get. So just take it easy and learn to enjoy life. What else about happiness you need to bear in mind is that money isn’t everything and it cannot buy __________. Close family relationships and a feeling of usefulness and security help to bring a deeper _______of happiness. A case in point is that Chongqing _______ the list of China’s 10 happiest cities in 2010, defeating the most prosperous cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

worryingfarther

happiness

sensetopped

What is your understanding of ‘Happiness’ after learning the passage? ◊ Happiness is half genetic.◊ Happiness is just a state of mind.◊ Happiness is something that cannot

be bought with money.◊ Happiness is to stop worrying and

enjoy life.

Whatever!

What does ‘[shrug] Whatever’ mean?◊ It’s just a state of mind. ◊ Happiness is all around. It could be

anything. ◊ Cherish every tiny moment of joy in

your life, and happiness will be right by your side.

◊ A sense of happiness can be achieved through your own efforts.

Assignment

Write a short essay about an unforgettable moment of joy in your life. (90-120 words)