It is reported that although our genes and environment play an important role, how happy we are largely depends on our choices and activities. The following are just several areas that tend to make a big difference to people's happiness.

    Take a positive attitude

    Positive emotions―like joy, gratitude, satisfaction, inspiration and pride― don't just feel good when we experience them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} So although we need to be realistic about life's ups and downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects of any situation―the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.

    Accept who you are and what you are

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Learning to accept ourselves and being kinder to ourselves when things go wrong will increase our enjoyment of life. It also helps us accept others as they are. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to tell you what they think your real strengths are.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them; it's good for us too. It makes us happier and can help to improve our health. Giving also creates stronger connections between people and helps to build a happier society.

    Take part in something bigger

    People who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier. They also experience less stress, anxiety and depression.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It might come from doing a job that makes a difference, or spiritual beliefs, or our family. The answers may be different for each of us but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.

A. Our broader social networks bring a sense of belonging.

B. Nobody is perfect.

C. Give them a call or offer your support.

D. Try to make more use of these.

E. They also help us perform better, and improve our physical health.

F. But where do we find meaning and purpose?

G. Do things for others.

                                                 The Bystander (旁观者) Effect

    When an emergency situation occurs, observers are more likely to take action if there are few or no other witnesses.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    The bystander effect is also called the Genovese effect, which is named after Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, a young woman who was cruelly murdered on March 13, 1964. Early in the morning, 28-year-old Genovese was returning home from work. As she approached her apartment entrance, she was attacked and stabbed (刺) by a man later identified as Winston Moseley. Despite Genovese's repeated cries for help.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The attack first began at 3:20, but it was not until 3:50 that someone first contacted police．

    Many psychologists were set thinking by the incident, as well as most Americans. As the conclusion, the bystander effect came out and later proved by a series of studies and experiments.

    There are two major factors that contribute to the bystander effect.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Because there are other observers, individuals do not feel as much pressure to take action, since the responsibility to take action is thought to be shared among all of those present. The second reason is the need to behave in correct and socially acceptable ways. When other observers fail to react, individuals often take this as a signal that a response is not needed or not appropriate.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In the case of Kitty Genovese, many of the 38 witnesses reported that they believed that they were witnessing a "lovers' quarrel", and {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. They hesitate and assess the risk of getting hurt

B. This phenomenon is referred to as the bystander effect.

C. Other researchers have found that onlookers are less likely to take action if the situation is unclear.

D. First, the presence of other people creates a division of responsibility.

E. they did not realize that the young woman was actually being murdered.

F. none of the people in the nearby apartment building who heard her cries called police for help.

G. the attacker didn't stop stabbing her.

How to Deal With Gossip (流言蜚语)

Gossip is a double-edged sword. Not only can it be incredibly harmful for you, but also others may be affected. Do a serious favor for your friends and yourself — quit your gossip habit and become a better and more positive person. It's good to find ways to get started dealing with gossip.

    Face the source of the rumor directly. If you know for sure who's responsible for spreading a rumor about you, don't take it lying down. When you have a chance, walk right up to him or her and say that you don't appreciate the mean things she/he has said. Stay calm when you do this. You don't want to adopt the cruel words this person has.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Alert your friends. If you learn that someone's been spreading nasty rumors about you, your first action should be to consult with your close friends. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Tell them the facts of the situation. If the rumor's not true, they'll be sure to fight the spread of the rumor. If the rumor is true, they can still help stop its spread by sticking up for you.

    Ignore it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When you hear gossip about yourself, laugh it off. Act as if it's ridiculous! Share a chuckle(窃笑) about it! Turn the tables by making the person who started the rumor the butt (笑柄) of the joke.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If nasty rumors and gossip are a frequent problem, or if someone's told a rumor that might get you in trouble for something you didn't do, talk to a teacher, counselor, or administrator. These people can help you work through the problem. They can give you advice on how to proceed, make you feel better, and even discipline people who've started the rumor.

    Stay away from people who gossip. The single best way to avoid having gossip told about you is to stay away from the kinds of people who tell mean gossip! As popular or cool as they may seem, these people are sad and desperate. They can't have a good time without spreading hurtful rumors about someone else. Don't bother with them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Remember a friend who stabs you in the back by telling a nasty rumor isn't much of a friend at all.

A. When you're worried about a piece of gossip, change the way you live.

B. Tell an authority about it.

C. Gossip is often best dealt with by paying no attention to it at all.

D. They should be people you know and trust.

E. Work out a plan to avoid being laughed at.

F. Find friends who don't get enjoyment from hurting people.

G. You also don't expect to give bystanders the impression that the rumor's true.

    You must have heard of Mr. No Ears. This earless, one-eyed cat from Albufeira, Portugal, is a Facebook phenomenon and has his own book: Saudades Mr. No Ears. But for those of you who don't know him, here is his story.

    Often referred to as the “Lion King of Albufeira”, this adorable cat was the head of a eat colony in the region. Viewed from a distance, he appeared to be a king, sitting on a wall. On most days, this was usually where you would find Mr. No Ears, with the members of his colony scattered around on the walkway. At other times, he was jumping cliffs and running on the beach. No one knew on which day he was born, so his caretakers decided to celebrate his birthday on World Animal Day on October 4th.

    Although there were no ears, his hearing functioned well. One of his eyes was open and purulent (有脓的), with no sign of an eyeball…...Despite all of his problems, he was a strong-minded and happy cat. Some hotel owners found him annoying, ordering his caretakers to send him away so he wouldn't “upset tourists.” But there were just as many people who loved him to pieces, and once he got his own Facebook page, the entire world was at his paws.

    On the evening of 11 September 2015, Mr. No Ears was taken away against his will. Less than an hour later a request was made via a Facebook page asking for money, making false claims that he was “in pain” and “had bone cancer.” It was said that in an attempt to prove cancer which he did not have, Mr. No Ears suffered a heart attack. He then suffered organ damage, including his kidneys and liver. The taking-away of this much-loved cat from his home and family and the circumstances of his death were very emotive subjects, causing shockwaves throughout the animal-loving world.

    Thanks to Mr. No Ears, the Albufeirafs Peneco beach Colony became a household name and a “must see” on cat lovers, holiday choices. You will recognize Mr. No Ears' favorite seat under a palm tree because Mr. No Ears' love-lock is attached to it.

    It's a safe bet that a robot made your car and made your computer. Pretty soon, they could be making your bed and breakfast too.

     Increasingly, engineers are saying that robots are going to move out of research departments and into your home. Companies including General Electric are working on designs for small robots. Products like the Roomba, a robot that can clean floors, are flying off the shelves.

     What's behind this new robot revolution? It's partly a matter of technology. Devices that can recognize and respond to a human voice have been developed. There are now a few different ways for robots to move around. They can walk, crawl or ride on wheels. Robots are being made smaller and smaller. They are also becoming more and more able.

     A bigger part of the story is on the demand side. From the day the television remote control was invented, people around the world have searched for new ways to be lazy. Take into consideration that more and more people can afford robots, and the time seems ripe to introduce robots to the ordinary family.

     To be sure, robots that walk on two legs and talk like people are still a long way off. However, robots that do basic housework such as cleaning or gardening are sure to come out soon. One thing is certain—when these robots do come into our homes, it will change things forever.

According to a new research,the more people in a country who have a particular gene(基因),the happier the nation will be.This DNA is known as the FAAH gene.People with a particular version of it tend to be cheerier souls.There is a link between levels of the FAAH gene and the number of people who say they are very happy.

Sweden—one of the happiest countries in the world—also has lots of happy DNA.Ghana,Nigeria,Mexico and Columbia all come out near the top in the happiness league,and have high rates of the gene.In contrast,the people of Iraq,Jordan and China are among the least likely to rate themselves as very happy and also have the lowest level of the FAAH gene.

However,wealth and health are found to have little effect on happiness.The finding could help explain why some of the world's poorest nations are also the happiest.In addition,the FAAH gene and an optimistic attitude would not always go hand in hand.For example,Russians and Estonians score very low in happiness,despite having the right happy DNA.

Professor Michael Minkov said,"The climate condition is associated with the nation's happiness.We can notice the high occurrence of the FAAH gene in tropical(热带的) areas in the Americas and Africa.And the occurrence of the gene around the Mediterranean Sea is much lower than that in Northern Europe."

The social experts say that genetics is not the only determinant(决定因素) of happiness.The economic and political difficulties in some nations also contribute to the very low happiness scores.Nations that are not blessed with the right DNA aren't necessarily miserable.