研究生英语阅读教程 基础级第二版 第十二课.doc

READING SELECTION A Does Economic Growth (development) Improve Human Morale? By David G. Myers 注黄字体为课后生词 [1] During the mid-1980s my family and I spent a sabbatical year in the historic town of St. Andrews, Scotland. Comparing life there with life in America, we were impressed by a seeming disconnection between national wealth and well-being (happiness). To most Americans, Scottish life would have seemed Spartan. Incomes were about half that (income) in the U. S. Among families in the Kingdom of Fife surrounding (around) St. Andrews, 44 percent did not own a car, and we never met a family that owned two. Central heating in this place not far south of Iceland was, at that time, still a luxury. [2] In hundreds of conversations during our year there and during three half-summer stays since (since then), we repeatedly noticed that, despite (=in spite of) their simpler living, the Scots appeared no less joyful (happy) than Americans. We heard complaints about Margaret Thatcher, but never about being underpaid or unable to afford (pay for) wants (necessities). With less money there was no less satisfaction with living, no less warmth of spirit, no less pleasure (happiness) in one anothers company. Are rich American is happier? [accompany sb. to somewhere] [3] Within any country, such as our own, are rich people happier? In poor countries, such as Bangladesh and India, being relatively well off (rich) does make for (cause/ bring about) somewhat (a little) greater well being (happiness). Psychologically as well as (=and) materially, it is much better to be high caste than low caste. We humans need food, rest, warmth, and social contact. [4] But in affluent (rich) countries, where nearly everyone can afford lifes necessities, increasing affluence matters (vi.) surprisingly little. In the USA, Canada, and Europe, the correlation between income and happiness is, as University of Michigan researcher Ronald Ingle-hart noted in 1980s 16-nation study, surprisingly weak [indeed, vi