The Pursuit of Happiness Reading Answers with Explanations

If you are preparing for the IELTS and looking for an effective reading passage to enhance your study sessions, you have arrived at the right place. This sample provides a thorough examination of The Pursuit of Happiness reading answers, accompanied by thoughtful explanations for each response.

To expand your vocabulary, please take note of any challenging words you encounter within the passage and explore their meanings. The IELTS reading section consists of 4 to 5 different types of questions that you will need to address within a span of just 20 minutes. It is advisable to manage your time wisely as you navigate through the passage, ensuring a successful experience.

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Answers of The Pursuit of Happiness Reading Passage with Explanations

Let us delve into the answers of The Pursuit of Happiness reading passage, highlighting where to locate them along with valuable explanations.

Question 1

ANSWER :F

Explanation :The first sentence of paragraph F emphasizes that understanding what truly matters to individuals is crucial for their happiness. This highlights why people need to comprehend what is genuinely important to them, as referenced in paragraph F.

Question 2

ANSWER :D

Explanation :The third sentence of paragraph D contains the phrase “the paradox of choice,” which describes how having too many options can cause anxiety and reduce satisfaction with decisions. This line underscores the tension created by a large number of choices, making paragraph D the correct answer for this reference.

Question 3

ANSWER :C

Explanation :The eighth sentence of paragraph C states, “setting goals and working hard to achieve them not only triggers happy emotions but also diminishes negativity.” This indicates that achieving success can be an effective method for managing negative emotions. This line supports the idea of using success as a technique for coping with negativity, making paragraph C the correct answer.

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Question 4

ANSWER :A

Explanation :The eighth sentence of paragraph A indicates that the phrase “Self-proclaimed experts profited on the fed” refers to individuals who present themselves as specialists in happiness and well-being. This identifies those who claim expertise in resolving emotional issues, fitting the description of specialists in paragraph A, making it the correct answer.

Question 5

ANSWER :B

Explanation :The first sentence of paragraph B states, “humans are admittedly extremely adaptable,” which explains that people generally return to their baseline level of happiness after various changes. This demonstrates humans' capacity to adapt to change, as discussed in paragraph B, making it the correct answer.

Question 6

ANSWER :B

Explanation :The eleventh sentence of paragraph B suggests engaging in “tasks that are dynamic, surprising, and attention-consuming.” This highlights the importance of activities that remain interesting and engaging, indicating how participating in captivating activities can help avoid the monotony described in paragraph B, making it the correct answer.

Question 7

ANSWER :D or B

Explanation :According to the last sentence of paragraph A and the first sentence of paragraph C, Eric Wilson criticizes the relentless pursuit of happiness for neglecting the value of deeper emotional experiences. Russ Harris argues that popular ideas about happiness create unrealistic expectations, leading to conflict with reality. Therefore, the correct answer is either D or B.

Question 8

ANSWER :D or B

Explanation :The last sentence of paragraph A and the first sentence of paragraph C indicate that both Russ Harris and Eric Wilson oppose the constant pursuit of happiness. Harris claims it leads to conflict with real-life challenges, while Wilson argues it undermines the richness of emotional depth and creativity. Therefore, the correct answer is either D or B.

Question 9

ANSWER :C or D

Explanation :The last sentence of paragraph E, along with the ninth sentence of paragraph A, suggests that the belief in avoiding unhappiness through enforced positivity is misleading. It indicates that pressuring individuals to maintain a positive mindset can actually worsen their feelings of failure, countering the idea that unhappiness is simply avoidable. Therefore, the correct answer is either C or D.

Question 10

ANSWER :C or D

Explanation :The last sentence of paragraph E and the ninth sentence of paragraph A illustrate that the belief that an optimistic mindset guarantees success is incorrect. It criticises happiness movements for attempting to exclude sorrow, showing that such an approach is ineffective and does not ensure success. Thus, the correct answer is either C or D.

Question 11

ANSWER :Moods

Explanation :The second sentence of paragraph A highlights Martin Seligman's suggestion that science should explore "optimal moods" with the same enthusiasm that is used for studying psychological pathologies. Therefore, "moods" is the correct answer as it aligns with the idea of understanding human capabilities through the study of positive mental states.

Question 12

ANSWER :Milestone

Explanation :The seventh sentence of paragraph B indicates that people often feel as though something is missing soon after reaching a significant "milestone" in their lives. Hence, "milestone" is the right answer, as it reflects the point at which individuals start to adjust to their achievements and seek new goals.

Question 13

ANSWER :Pessimistic

Explanation :The last sentence of paragraph E explains that a "pessimistic" architect can improve her chances of success by preparing for potential failures and adjusting her expectations. The term "pessimistic" is the correct answer, as it describes individuals who benefit from a thoughtful approach to preparation and planning.

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IELTS Coaching Reading Passages

This passage examines the scientific and psychological factors influencing human contentment, arguing that true happiness is often found in meaningful, goal-oriented living rather than material success. It explains that human adaptability allows people to return to a baseline happiness level after major events, meaning happiness is not significantly dependent on external circumstances.

Furthermore, this page serves as a valuable resource for your IELTS reading preparation, which emphasises crucial skills such as skimming and scanning. As you work through the answers of The Pursuit of Happiness reading passage, maintaining focus on the main ideas will be beneficial. For enhanced preparation, you might consider participating in IELTS reading mock testsessions. We are committed to supporting your learning journey.

Tips for Navigating "The Pursuit of Happiness" Reading Passage

Here are some thoughtful tips designed to assist you in finding the answers to The Pursuit of Happiness reading passage with greater ease:

Sentence Completion: Approach each sentence with care to grasp the context thoroughly.
Multiple Choice Questions: While tackling these questions, prioritise understanding the overall meaning rather than searching for specific phrases.
Sentence Completion: Look for synonyms and rephrased information in that section.

Types of Questions in This Reading Passage

In The Pursuit of Happiness reading answers, you will encounter three distinct types of questions. Let’s explore them:

Matching Information: This question type requires you to fill in blanks in a given sentence with words or phrases extracted directly from the passage. These questions test your ability to comprehend specific details and information presented in the text.
Multiple Choice Questions: Typically presenting 3-4 options, these questions may appear as question-and-answer pairs or as choices for completing a sentence. Frequently, you will find the answers listed in the order they appear in the passage.
Sentence Completion: It is a common, high-scoring question type in the IELTS reading section (both academic and general training ) that tests your ability to find specific, detailed information and recognize synonyms.

These are the various question types you will experience while seeking answers of The Pursuit of Happiness reading passage. To boost your confidence for the exam, you might consider engaging inonline IELTS coaching or practising with IELTS sample test PDFs to become familiar with the exam format.