B
思维品质 辩证思维 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 one - third 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（经历）. But which of the two choices makes people happier?
Ryan Howell，a professor at San Francisco State University，found that in the long run，experiences make people happier than what they own. This is because the joy of getting a new object fades（消退）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 find it out，Howell did another study. He classified（分组）a group of adults according to their personality（性格）types—from less materialistic to more materialistic. Each person was asked different questions to see how they felt about spending money on material goods and spending money on experiences.
As expected，the more materialistic participants got less happiness from the act of buying than the less materialistic，because such an act 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 aren't liked by society，” said Howell. “When we find out someone is materialistic，we think less of them，and that makes their happiness decrease.”
Another reason is that materialistic people always pay attention to what they don't have instead of what they have now. This makes them feel less happy and thankful.
If you happen to be a materialistic person，there's something you can try. “If materialists make more acts of buying in the right way，rather than trying to impress（给……留下深刻印象）others，they will be happier，” Howell said.
You should also remember what an ancient Greek philosopher（哲学家）once said，“Do not spoil（破坏）what you have by wishing for what you don't have；remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
5. What did Ryan Howell find in his studies?
A. Material goods bring people less happiness than experiences.
B. About one - third of the people prefer material goods to experiences.
C. Materialists have more fun spending money on goods than on experiences.
D. Getting a new object brings joy for a long time while the joy of an experience fades soon.
6. 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 act of buying.
C. How materialists feel when they spend money on goods.
D. Whether materialists are happy when they first buy something.
7. 语言能力 推断能力 Why does the writer 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（劝说）people to be pleased with what they already own.
C. To show it's unwise to be materialistic and want more things.
D. To tell readers what they wish for now might one day become theirs.
8. What can be the best title for the passage?
A. Are You a Materialist?
B. How to be Happy?
C. The Best Present for the Birthday
D. Which Can Make People Happier?
思维品质 辩证思维 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 one - third 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（经历）. But which of the two choices makes people happier?
Ryan Howell，a professor at San Francisco State University，found that in the long run，experiences make people happier than what they own. This is because the joy of getting a new object fades（消退）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 find it out，Howell did another study. He classified（分组）a group of adults according to their personality（性格）types—from less materialistic to more materialistic. Each person was asked different questions to see how they felt about spending money on material goods and spending money on experiences.
As expected，the more materialistic participants got less happiness from the act of buying than the less materialistic，because such an act 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 aren't liked by society，” said Howell. “When we find out someone is materialistic，we think less of them，and that makes their happiness decrease.”
Another reason is that materialistic people always pay attention to what they don't have instead of what they have now. This makes them feel less happy and thankful.
If you happen to be a materialistic person，there's something you can try. “If materialists make more acts of buying in the right way，rather than trying to impress（给……留下深刻印象）others，they will be happier，” Howell said.
You should also remember what an ancient Greek philosopher（哲学家）once said，“Do not spoil（破坏）what you have by wishing for what you don't have；remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
5. What did Ryan Howell find in his studies?
A. Material goods bring people less happiness than experiences.
B. About one - third of the people prefer material goods to experiences.
C. Materialists have more fun spending money on goods than on experiences.
D. Getting a new object brings joy for a long time while the joy of an experience fades soon.
6. 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 act of buying.
C. How materialists feel when they spend money on goods.
D. Whether materialists are happy when they first buy something.
7. 语言能力 推断能力 Why does the writer 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（劝说）people to be pleased with what they already own.
C. To show it's unwise to be materialistic and want more things.
D. To tell readers what they wish for now might one day become theirs.
8. What can be the best title for the passage?
A. Are You a Materialist?
B. How to be Happy?
C. The Best Present for the Birthday
D. Which Can Make People Happier?
答案：B
【语篇解读】本文是一篇议论文,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。
5.A 解析:细节理解题。根据“Ryan Howell ... found that in the long run, experiences make people happier than what they own.”可知长远来看,人们的经历比人们拥有的东西更能让人快乐。故选 A。
6.D 解析:推理判断题。根据“But materialists should at least be happy when they first buy something, shouldn't they?”以及“To find it out, Howell did another study.”可知 Howell 为了弄清楚物质主义者是否会在第一次购买东西时感到高兴,做了另一项研究。故选 D。
7.B 解析:写作意图题。根据“Do not spoil what you have by wishing for what you don't have; remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”可知不要因为渴望你没有的东西而破坏你所拥有的;记住你现在拥有的曾经是你仅仅希望得到的东西之一,结合上文可知,引用这句话是说服人们珍惜他们已经拥有的东西。故选 B。
8.D 解析:标题归纳题。本文作者通过一项研究结果向读者说明了经历比有形物质更能给人带来快乐,希望读者能够正确对待物质。所以选项 D“哪个能让人们更快乐?”作为标题最合适。故选 D。
【语篇解读】本文是一篇议论文,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。
5.A 解析:细节理解题。根据“Ryan Howell ... found that in the long run, experiences make people happier than what they own.”可知长远来看,人们的经历比人们拥有的东西更能让人快乐。故选 A。
6.D 解析:推理判断题。根据“But materialists should at least be happy when they first buy something, shouldn't they?”以及“To find it out, Howell did another study.”可知 Howell 为了弄清楚物质主义者是否会在第一次购买东西时感到高兴,做了另一项研究。故选 D。
7.B 解析:写作意图题。根据“Do not spoil what you have by wishing for what you don't have; remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”可知不要因为渴望你没有的东西而破坏你所拥有的;记住你现在拥有的曾经是你仅仅希望得到的东西之一,结合上文可知,引用这句话是说服人们珍惜他们已经拥有的东西。故选 B。
8.D 解析:标题归纳题。本文作者通过一项研究结果向读者说明了经历比有形物质更能给人带来快乐,希望读者能够正确对待物质。所以选项 D“哪个能让人们更快乐?”作为标题最合适。故选 D。