The article discusses whether people gain more happiness from spending money on material possessions or on experiences.
Research in the UK shows that most people, especially those aged 18 to 34, prefer to spend money on experiences such as trips or social activities. Studies suggest that the happiness from possessions fades quickly because people adapt to them and compare themselves with others. In contrast, experiences create long-lasting happiness through anticipation, shared moments, and meaningful memories. However, personality type and personal circumstances can influence whether experiences or possessions bring more happiness.
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🍉Reading Comprehension Questions
Q1. What do most UK consumers prefer to spend money on?
Most UK consumers prefer to spend money on experiences rather than material possessions.
多數英國消費者更喜歡把錢花在體驗上，而不是物質財產。
Q2. Why does happiness from possessions fade quickly?
People adapt to new possessions and start to see them as normal, and they often compare what they own with others.
Q2. Why does happiness from possessions fade quickly?
People adapt to new possessions and start to see them as normal, and they often compare what they own with others.
因為人們會習慣新物品，將其視為理所當然，並且常常與他人比較。
Q3. How do experiences create longer-lasting happiness?
Experiences create anticipation, strengthen social connections, and leave meaningful memories that last over time.
體驗能帶來期待感、增進社會連結，並留下長久而有意義的回憶。
Q3. How do experiences create longer-lasting happiness?
Experiences create anticipation, strengthen social connections, and leave meaningful memories that last over time.
體驗能帶來期待感、增進社會連結，並留下長久而有意義的回憶。
Q4. According to the article, do experiences always make people happier?
No. The happiness gained from experiences can depend on personality type and how many possessions a person already has.
不一定。體驗帶來的快樂取決於一個人的性格類型以及他已擁有多少物質。
🍒雅思重點單字
1. material possessions物質財產
Many people realize that material possessions do not always bring long-term happiness.
許多人逐漸意識到，物質財產並不一定能帶來長久的快樂。
2. fleeting短暫的，轉瞬即逝的
The excitement of buying a new gadget can be fleeting.
購買新電子產品的興奮感往往是短暫的。
3. fade漸漸消失
The happiness from owning luxury items may fade over time.
擁有奢侈品所帶來的快樂可能會隨時間漸漸消失。
4. envious嫉妒的，羡慕的
People may feel envious when others have better things than they do.
當別人擁有更好的東西時，人們可能會感到嫉妒。
5. duration持續時間
Although the duration of a concert is short, the memory can last forever.
儘管演唱會的持續時間不長，但回憶卻能長存。
6. frustrating令人沮喪的，令人懊惱的
Waiting for an online order to arrive can be frustrating.
等待網購商品送達可能令人感到沮喪。
7. anticipation期望，期待
The anticipation before a holiday often brings great joy.
假期來臨前的期待常常讓人感到快樂。
8. gain獲得，獲取
Through travel, people gain new perspectives on life.
透過旅行，人們能獲得對人生的新觀點。
9. social connection社會聯繫
Shared experiences help strengthen social connections between friends.
共同的體驗有助於加強朋友之間的社會聯繫。
10. deteriorate劣化，變壞
Physical objects may deteriorate, but memories stay vivid.
實體物品可能會劣化，但回憶卻依然鮮明。
No. The happiness gained from experiences can depend on personality type and how many possessions a person already has.
不一定。體驗帶來的快樂取決於一個人的性格類型以及他已擁有多少物質。
🍒雅思重點單字
1. material possessions物質財產
Many people realize that material possessions do not always bring long-term happiness.
許多人逐漸意識到，物質財產並不一定能帶來長久的快樂。
2. fleeting短暫的，轉瞬即逝的
The excitement of buying a new gadget can be fleeting.
購買新電子產品的興奮感往往是短暫的。
3. fade漸漸消失
The happiness from owning luxury items may fade over time.
擁有奢侈品所帶來的快樂可能會隨時間漸漸消失。
4. envious嫉妒的，羡慕的
People may feel envious when others have better things than they do.
當別人擁有更好的東西時，人們可能會感到嫉妒。
5. duration持續時間
Although the duration of a concert is short, the memory can last forever.
儘管演唱會的持續時間不長，但回憶卻能長存。
6. frustrating令人沮喪的，令人懊惱的
Waiting for an online order to arrive can be frustrating.
等待網購商品送達可能令人感到沮喪。
7. anticipation期望，期待
The anticipation before a holiday often brings great joy.
假期來臨前的期待常常讓人感到快樂。
8. gain獲得，獲取
Through travel, people gain new perspectives on life.
透過旅行，人們能獲得對人生的新觀點。
9. social connection社會聯繫
Shared experiences help strengthen social connections between friends.
共同的體驗有助於加強朋友之間的社會聯繫。
10. deteriorate劣化，變壞
Physical objects may deteriorate, but memories stay vivid.
實體物品可能會劣化，但回憶卻依然鮮明。
11. personality type性格類型
An introverted personality type may prefer quiet activities over social events.
內向的性格類型可能更喜歡安靜的活動，而非社交場合。
12. identity 認同
Our experiences shape our identity more than the things we own.
我們的體驗比我們擁有的物品更能塑造自我認同。
🍓What's best: a brand new phone or a day out with your friends?
An introverted personality type may prefer quiet activities over social events.
內向的性格類型可能更喜歡安靜的活動，而非社交場合。
12. identity 認同
Our experiences shape our identity more than the things we own.
我們的體驗比我們擁有的物品更能塑造自我認同。
🍓What's best: a brand new phone or a day out with your friends?
Possessions can last for many years, while experiences are fleeting. The happiness that objects provide can fade quickly. We adapt to having new possessions, so that rather than being something we are excited by, they just become our new normal. Soon we may even want to buy a better version of the things we own. Our feelings around possessions can also be affected by others. We tend to compare what we have with other people. If someone else has something better, we can start to feel envious.
A study of UK consumers showed that six in ten people would rather spend their money on experiences than material possessions. Those aged 18-34 reported spending the highest amount on fun activities.
A study of UK consumers showed that six in ten people would rather spend their money on experiences than material possessions. Those aged 18-34 reported spending the highest amount on fun activities.
Waiting for our latest purchases to be delivered is frustrating, but waiting for an exciting event gives us a feeling of anticipation. Experiences are often shared, so we gain pleasure from social connection and time spent with other people. Memories of our experiences become part of our identity.
Happiness gained from experiences might depend on your personality type, and how many possessions you already have. People with more introverted personality types may get less benefit from social occasions and those with few possessions may get greater benefit from objects.