Describe a recent event that made you feel happy You should say
What the event was
When and where it happened Who participated in this event What you saw or did
And explain why this event was so enjoyable.
Sample:
Well, in fact, I feel I've recently become increasingly indifferent to what happens around me and few events can make me feel happy. But at the end of last semester, I was really delighted at the news that I passed my physics final exam. I have been so poor at physics since I was exposed to it. Those formulas and laws which are easy to the others always puzzle me a lot. Before the physics exams, I usually stayed up late; and on the exams I would be very anxious and my hands would even tremble. So you can imagine I almost never achieved a good score no matter how many hours I put in it. I felt so frustrated by this subject that I decided not to prepare for the final examination last semester. Believing that I would fail in the exam, I was unexpectedly calm during that exam and I finished the exam smoothly although there were severalquestions I being not able to figure out the answers.
After the exam, I was still unconfident of the result and believed that I would undoubtedly fail it. But just several days later, when I was really worried about it, I was informed of the good news by one of my classmates. At that moment, I was indeed excited and I thought it was calmness that helped to make it. From the event, I realized the importance of a good psychological quality and now I am not so afraid of the subject.
Sample2:
A recent event that made me happy was that my older sister came back home for the first time since her marriage. A week ago, we picked her up at the train station. Mum even cried on seeing her, for she’d be away from us for more than a year. It’s the happiest thing to me recently.
My sister and her husband got married last summer and moved to live with his parents in another city, in northern part of China. My parents and I had our first Spring Festival without her, and we missed her very much. Six months ago, she called up and told us a good news that she was pregnant. We were so excited on hearing the news, and much happier as she decided to have the baby back home with us. Mum kept telling her what to cat and do to stay healthy.
We looked forward to her coming back. During the past months. Mum, Dad and I were busy preparing stuff to welcome her. Dad took out the wooden cradle that used to hold my sister and me. Though it’s old, it’s still in good condition. I planed to buy a new one, but my
parents insisted, saying that the cradle would be perfect in keeping a baby warm in winter. Mum unpacked a parcel of old clothing for babies, most of which belonged to my sister and me. I could not believe Mum keeps all those. Looking at the tiny clothes, Mum told me many funny things about us when we were kids. Mum picked out the ones which were given by my cousin， who had a baby last year. It’s traditional in our country for a new-born baby to wear some old clothes, which is believed would benefit the baby. I bought some clothes and stuff for baby, like toys online, in addition to what Mum and I had bought in the supermarket. We made full preparation as we could before her arrival.
PART 3: Discussion topics:
1. What are some things that make you happy?
There are lots of things making me happy, such as getting something I've dreamed of for a long, passing an exam successfully, having an enjoyable meal with my friends, watching a funny film, or hearing good news of my relatives. I am an optimistic person, so any tiny things will make me laugh.
2. Do you think artistic activities can make people happy? (Why/ Why not?)
Sure, artistic activities like singing, painting, film enrich people's life and make people happy.
Some of my friends prefer to sing KTV where they can vent their unhappiness. Besides, people opt to be moved by songs, so positive songs cheer people up. Nowadays, many funny films and comedies unexpectedly receive high box office and ratings, which shows that people enjoy the happiness brought by the show.
3. Do you think people who have more talent are happier than others? ( Why/Why not?)
I don't think so, and I believe everyone has his own happiness. The Big Bang Theory, a famous comedy, brings much happiness to people around the world. In it, hero Sheldon, a talent physicist, is fond of comics and enjoys playing games like World of Warcraft, nothing is happier to him than doing those. Well, heroine Penny, a waitress who has the least knowledge of science, enjoys having parties and gossiping. They are both happy fellows enjoying their joy.
4. Do you think money makes people happy?
Yes, to some extent. It's always said the best way to cheer up a sad or angry female is to make her go shopping. I had an experience like that, which actually let me forget my sadness during shopping. Money enables people to buy and do anything as they wish. Money, however, is not everything. There are plenty of wealthy but sad guys.
5. Are the things (or the events) that make people happy today the same as several decades ago?
No, things that can make people happy have changed overtime. My grandma told me the happiest thing in the world is not to be hungry, since she suffered a lot during the three-year famine. My mother told me the happiest thing is to have a secure job which allows her to have a relaxing life after retiring. My friend told me having a house of her own and a health body is the happiest thing. My younger sister said nothing can make her happier than having a free life as her wishes.
6. Why do people feel happy when they are with the members of their family?
My mother once told me no one else than family will always worry about and care about me. A saying goes like that there's no arguments last forever between a couple as they care about each other and forgive each other. So love among family members always gives people comfort if they are sad and offers help to get them out of trouble. That's why people will fell happy with their families.
7. What are some (other) examples of family activities that make people feel happy?
Doing things together can always make family members happy. Having a birthday or marriage is a happy event for the whole family who will all do something to help. Having a family awayday or joining a parent-child game is also a favor for people now, as people don't have much free time together. Having a big meal when all family members sit together chatting is also a pleasure.
8. Do you think there is any relationship between a person's age and their happiness? (Why/ Why not?)
Obviously, there is. When I was a child, be giving a piece of new dress will bring me much happiness. But now, buying clothes is necessity of life with no much happiness. With one growing up, one knows there are many choices available. A strange idea comes into being in people's mind: things of others are better than theirs. In a word, people are harder to be pleased, so the happiness people enjoy is closely related to their ages.
9. Some people say the happiest time in people's lives is the period when theyare at school? Do you agree?
The majority of people would agree with the statement, so do I. Generally speaking in China, family will pay for the tuition and fee for one's study, so there is no need for people to worry about living cost. Besides, students, especially the college students, have much free time, which they can use to do what they have interest in. With these advantages, life of people at school is sure to be happier than others.
10. Do young people and old(er) people find happiness from the same things?
What makes young and old people happy differs. My grandma, for example, is fond of talking with her friends. At most times, they keep talking about the same things, but there is no tiredness for them. I could not understand that before, but gradually I know she enjoys the companion as we are too busy with our work to talk with her. I, too, loving to have fun with friends, often go to KTV singing or go shopping with them. With friends, my grandma and I enjoy different happiness.
11. When you are old(er), what kinds of things do you think will bring you happiness?
After getting old, I will be happy if I enjoy a pension so I have no worry of living. Besides, I appreciate the company of friends. I can do exercise to keep healthy and talk about family affairs with them, and enjoy ourselves by going out together to watch a film or to travel, all of which bring me a happier life.
What's more, I wish on times, like festival, my family can have a get-together. There's no happiness comparable with that.
12. Do you think people were happier in the past than they are now?
Yes, people nowadays have much to worry about, so we are not as happy as before. For example, the price of housing is rising too quickly for the majority of people to afford. Many people now are working hard for a whole life to pay off a house, as owning a house is necessary in the idea of Chinese people, especially the old.