2012届上海高考模拟试题

Five Happiness Secrets For Tough Times

Sonja Lyubomirsky, an author, has researched the science of happiness for years. Here are her tips to help you cope with a bad economy, and increase your bursts of happiness throughout the day.

76. ________________

“You could spend a lot of time thinking deeply,” says Lyubomirsky. “But that just makes you feel even more pessimistic, more out of control, and affects your self esteem. Your relationships will suffer and your job performance will suffer.”

Get rid of pessimism. One of the most effective ways to cope when things are difficult is to adopt a positive thinking strategy. “What can I learn from this? Times are tough, I’ve been furloughed at work, but I can spend more time with the kids, adopt a new hobby, or learn a new set of skills.”

77. ________________

Now more than ever we need each other to survive. Lyubomirsky found that doing good things for friends, family, or strangers can make you happier. Think of practical, everyday gestures that can make someone’s life a little bit easier. For example, Lyubomirsky says, “Maybe now many of us can’t afford to take a cab to the airport, so offer to give a friend a ride.”

78. ________________

You don’t need an expert to tell you that relationships are critical to happiness. Not being the bread-winner anymore or not being able to fulfill your kid’s needs can weigh down hard on your family life. But the trick is to stop feeling guilty and focus on caring for your loved ones.

“I was at a psychology conference where an expert was talking about the effects of this economy on families and how parents can’t afford to buy their kids luxuries like toys anymore,” says Lyubomirsky. “But what they don’t realize is that kids don’t care about toys — what they care about is parents being grumpy and taking it out on them.”

79. ________________

“If you find a happy person you will find a project,” says Lyubomirsky. “Happy people all have goals they care about.”

Commit yourself to a project – whether it is a business you want to start or a dance you want to learn. But it’s also important to remember to be flexible in these times. Don’t get frustrated if circumstances are stopping you from meeting your goals. Adopt and change!

“If your spouse has lost their job you might have to change your goal,” says Lyubomirsky. “Or

2012届上海高考模拟试题

you might have to learn a whole new skill for a new job.”

80. ________________

When times are tough, it’s easy to skip your regular workouts in favor of mopping in front of the TV and eating a bag of chips. Your thinking is “I have more important things to worry about right now than looking good.”

But carve out a small part of your day to give your body some TLC (Tender Loving Care). It will go a long way in boosting your happiness. “Even if you can’t afford to go to the gym,” Lyubomirsky says, “take time out to exercise at home.”

Section D

Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words.

A newly-published study has shown that loneliness can spread from one person to another, like a disease.

Researchers used information from the Framingham Study, which began in 1948. The Framingham Study gathers information about physical and mental health, personal behavior and diet. At first, the study involved about 5,000 people in the American state of Massachusetts. Now, more than 12,000 individuals are taking part.

Information from the Framingham Study showed earlier that happiness can spread from person to person. So can behaviors like littering and the ability to stop smoking.

University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo led the recent study. He and other researchers attempted to show how often people felt lonely. They found that the feeling of loneliness spread through social groups.

Having a social connection with a lonely person increased the chances that another individual would feel lonely. In fact, a friend of a lonely person was 52% more likely to develop feelings of loneliness. A friend of that person was 25% more likely. The researchers say this shows that a person could indirectly be affected by someone’s loneliness.

The effect was strongest among friends. Neighbors were the second most affected group. The effect was weaker on husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters. The researchers also found that loneliness spread more easily among women than men.

The New York Times newspaper reports that, on average, people experience feelings of loneliness about 48 days a year. It also finds that every additional friend can decrease loneliness by about five percent, or two and a half fewer lonely days.

Loneliness has been linked to health problems like depression and sleeping difficulties. The researchers believe that knowing the causes of loneliness could help in reducing it.

The study suggests that people can take steps to stop the spread of loneliness. They can do this by helping individuals they know who may be experiencing loneliness. The result can be helpful to the whole social group.