Happiness

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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• glum
• blue
• steer clear
• melting pot

• in general
• strive
• succumb
• from time to time

• key
• debilitate

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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The United States’ Declaration of Independence states that all people have the right to pursue happiness. But it doesn’t explain what you can do to become happy, or how to stay happy all the time.

The World Database of Happiness measures which countries are happiest by asking people all over the world if they’re happy. The U.S. ranks 23rd on the happiness index, below countries such as the Netherlands, Thailand, and Bhutan.

You might think that the richest countries in the world would also be the happiest, but that isn’t necessarily true. People are happy (and unhappy) for different reasons. Find out what makes Marni and Dale happy.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dale

Marni

Dale:  So Marni, are you happy?

Marni:  You mean right now, or in general, or…

Dale:  Generally, how do people stay happy?

Marni:  That is actually a very good question. And I want to be, I strive to be happy, but you know, I can succumb to a little sadness, a little depression from time to time. You know, nothing debilitating, but I get glum, I get blue about world events or things when I see injustice is happening. Sometimes it’s hard to not feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Dale:  Is there a way for you to steer away from that by looking at the bright side of things?

Marni:  Well I feel like part of that is the people I know. I have good friends and family that support me, and you know, people I can talk to. I think that that’s a huge part of it.

Dale:  Do you know…the United States is a melting pot of cultures.

Marni:  Sure.

Dale:  And now they’re saying that some cultures are happier than others. I mean, do you agree with that? I mean personally, I’m a Philippino guy, I’m generally happy. I think it is culturally, my culture, we are happy people.

Marni:  You know, it’s an interesting question. I’m not really certain. I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing, I think there could be something to that. But here in the Northwest I think sometimes it’s hard to be happy because of the weather. People are affected by the weather. Sometimes that can happen. So who knows, if it’s cultural or environmental.

Dale:  Do you think it’s the sun?

Marni:  I don’t know. But I am all for finding the key to happiness.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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