A proverb allegedly (据说) from ancient China was widely spread in the West: "If you want to be happy for a few hours, go to get drunk; if you want the happiness to last three years, get married; if you want a lifetime happiness, take up gardening. " The reason for the last option is this: Gardening is not only useful; it helps you to identify yourself with nature, and thus brings you new joy each day besides improving your health.
A research of a US university that I"ve read gives a definition of happiness as what makes a person feel comfortably pleased. To put it specifically, happiness is an active state of mind where one thinks one"s life is meaningful, satisfactory and comfortable. This should be something lasting rather than transitory.
Lots of people regard it the happiest to be at leisure. But according to the study, it is not a person with plenty of leisure but one at work that feels happy, especially those busy with work having little time for leisure. Happiness does not spell gains one is after but a desire to harvest what one is seeking for. People often do not cherish what they already have but yearn for what they cannot get. That is somewhat like a man indulging in dreams of numerous lovers while reluctant to settle down with the woman beside him.
Happiness is a game balancing between two ends—what one has and what one wishes for, i. e. , one"s dream and the possibility to realize it. The study comes to this conclusion: A happy man is one who aims high but never forgets his actual situation; one who meets challenges that tap his ability and potentiality; one who is proud of his achievements and the recognition given to him. He has self-respect and self-confidence; treasures his own identity and loves freedom. He is sociable and enjoys wide-range communication with others; he is helpful and ready to accept assistance. He knows he is able to endure sufferings and frustrations; he is sensible enough to get fun from daily chores. He is a man capable of love and passion.
单选题
Gardening can bring lifelong happiness because ______.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 由第一段最后一句“...it helps you to identify yourself with nature, and thus brings you new joy each day besides improving your health.”可知，做园丁能一辈子幸福是因为做园丁能与自然融合，是对身体的锻炼并且每天都能带给你新的喜悦，也就是说，自然是喜悦的不竭源泉，故选D。
单选题
The research of the US university found that most people feel happy when they ______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 由第三段第二、三句“...at work that feed happy...Happiness does not spell gains one is after but a desire to harvest what one is seeking for.”可知，大部分感到幸福的人是在工作中，是那些因工作而特别忙碌的人，而不是有太多休闲时间的人，幸福就是追求我们想要得到的东西的愿望和过程，故选C。
单选题
Why does the writer mention "a man indulging in dreams of numerous lovers" in the third paragraph?
单选题
What kind of person is more likely to be unhappy according to the study?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 由最后一段第二句“...A happy man is one who aims high but never forgets his actual situation...”可知，有高远的目标但不忘记自己实际状况的人是个幸福的人，也就是说，只有雄心但不考虑实际状况的人可能不会感到幸福，故此题应选B。
单选题
What is happiness?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 由最后一段第一句“Happiness is a game balancing between two ends—what one has and what one wishes for, i.e., one"s dream and the possibility to realize it.”可知，幸福就是基于现实的追求，故选D。