Act Your Shoe Size, Not Your Age.
(1) As adults, it seems that we’re constantly pursuing happiness, often with mixed
results. Yet children appear to have it down to an art-and for the most part they don’t
need self-help books or therapy. Instead, they look after their wellbeing instinctively
and usually more effectively than we do as grownups. Perhaps it’s time to learn a few
lessons from them.
41___________.
(2) What does a child do when he’s sad? He cries. When he’s angry? He shouts.
Scared? Probably a bit of both. As we grow up, we learn to control our emotions so
they are manageable and don’t dictate our behaviours, which is in many ways a good
thing. But too often we take this process too far and end up suppressing emotions,
especially negative ones. That’s about as effective as brushing dirt under a carpet and
can even make us ill. What we feel appropriately and then-again, like children-move
on.
42__________.
A couple of Christmases ago, my youngest stepdaughter, who was 9 years old at the
time, got a Superman T-shirt for Christmas. It cost less than a fiver but she was
overjoyed, and couldn’t bigger house or better car will be the magic silver bullet that
will allow us to finally be content, but the reality is these things have little lasting
impact on our happiness levels. Instead, being grateful for small things every day is a
much better way to improve wellbeing.
43__________.
Have you ever noticed how much children laugh? If we adults could indulge in a bit
of silliness and giggling, we would reduce the stress hormones in our bodies, increase
good hormones like endorphins, improve blood flow to our hearts and ever have a
greater chance of fighting off infection. All of which would, of course, have a positive
effect on our happiness levels.
44__________.
The problem with being a grownup is that there’s an awful lot of serious stuff to deal
with-work, mortgage payments, figuring out what to cook for dinner. But as adults we
also have the luxury of being able to control our own diaries and it’s important that
we schedule in time to enjoy the thing we love. Those things might be social, sporting,
creative or completely random (dancing around the living room, anyone?)-it doesn’t
matter, so long as they’re enjoyable, and not likely to have negative side effects, such
as drinking too much alcohol or going on a wild spending spree if you’re on a tight
budget.
45__________.
Having said all of the above, it’s important to add that we shouldn’t try too hard to be
happy. Scientists tell us this can back fire and actually have a negative impact on our
wellbeing. As the Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu is reported to have said:
“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.” And in that, once more, we need
to look to the example of our children, to whom happiness is not a goal but a natural
byproduct of the way they live.
Section III Translation
Directions:
Translate the following text into Chinese. Write your translation on the ANSWER
SHEET. (15 points)
The supermarket is designed to lure customers into spending as much time as possible
within its doors. The reason for this is simple: The longer you stay in the store, the
more stuff you’ll see, and the more stuff you see, the more you’ll buy. And