Reading: The Science of Happiness
The science of happiness is a B2 reading text on positive psychology. The text covers what researchers have learned about wellbeing (hedonic vs eudaimonic happiness, the role of relationships, the “happiness set point” theory, money’s diminishing returns, the importance of meaning and engagement), key findings from longitudinal studies (Harvard Study of Adult Development, Gallup World Poll), and practical applications (gratitude practice, social connection, flow activities, savouring). Learners read for scientific-finding identification, theory-comparison, and application analysis.
This worksheet builds B2 reading comprehension through a positive-psychology research text.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- A B2 reading text (~550 words) on happiness research and applications
- Pre-reading vocabulary box with positive-psychology terms
- Comprehension items: finding-identification, theory-distinction, application-recognition
- Vocabulary-in-context: wellbeing-research vocabulary
- Writing follow-up: describe what contributes to your own happiness
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Positive-psychology vocabulary at B2: wellbeing, life satisfaction, flourishing, meaning, purpose, flow, gratitude, savouring. Research methodology language: longitudinal, cross-sectional, correlation, causation, replicated, sample size. Distinguishing hedonic (pleasure-based) from eudaimonic (meaning-based) happiness frameworks.
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B2, in upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study. Maps onto Cambridge B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) Reading. Part of the Health & Wellbeing Readings collection — the natural next step is Sleep Science: Why We Dream, which extends wellbeing reading into the sleep-and-dream domain.
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