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Happiness Rankings Around the World Upper-Intermediate

Heads Up English - 1

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the ARTICLE (for teachers)

Happiness Rankings Around the World

The World Happiness Report measures happiness in countries around the world, and is based on six key

criteria. These include GDP per capital, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life decisions,

generosity, and the level of corruption people believe exists.

In general, Scandinavian countries were at the top of the report because of their strong economies, established

social support systems for their citizens, and trustworthy governments. The countries which fell just below the

top positions had somewhat weaker economies, poorer support networks, or both. Most sub-Saharan countries

in Africa found themselves at the bottom of the happiness scale, as also were war-torn countries.

The questionnaire was based on the Cantril Scale. Respondents imagined a ladder with steps numbered from

zero at the bottom to ten at the top. The top of the ladder represented an ideal life, and the bottom of the ladder

represented the worst possible life. People who answered the questions had to imagine on which step of the

ladder they currently stood.

An important discovery revealed that countries with high levels of trust better handled the most recent economic

crisis. Countries without much trust didn't do as well, and some countries continue to struggle economically.

The report demonstrates that happiness must be viewed as an accepted measure of social progress and the

goal of various public policies. As a result, more governments have begun to use this information when crafting

new policies which enable their citizens to live better lives.

Teacher's Notes:

* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.

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WARM-UPS

Select one or all of the following warm-up activities.

1: Define: What does "social progress" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples?

2: Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "social progress" for 2 minutes.

Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together.

3. Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Happiness Rankings Around the

World."

4. Speculate: Write in the missing word for today's article title: "( ) Rankings ( )

the World." Why did you choose these words for the blanks?

5: Do you agree or disagree? Why?

a. I'm generally a happy person.

b. People in my country generally live long, prosperous, and happy lives.

c. Happiness is a good measure of a country's success.

d. Countries need to work harder to make their citizens happier.

e. Money and success is more important than happiness.





VOCABULARY

Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities.

1: Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the

best choice in column B.

a. criteria q. probability

b. expectancy r. regarded as normal

c. corrupt s. someone who answers

d. trustworthy t. create

e. respondent u. reliable

f. ideal v. test for judgment

g. reveal w. show

h. accepted x. allow

i. craft y. dishonest

j. enable z. perfect

2: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.

corruption expectancy enable crafting trustworthy

revealed respondents ideal criteria accepted

a. The World Happiness Report is based on six key ( ).

b. These include GDP per capital, social support, healthy life ( ), and others.

c. These also include the level of ( ) people believe exists.

d. Scandinavian countries were at the top of the report because of their ( ) governments.

e. ( ) imagined a ladder with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to ten at the top.

f. The top of the ladder represented an ( ) life.

g. A discovery ( ) that countries with high levels of trust better handled the economic crisis.

h. The report demonstrates that happiness must be viewed as an ( ) measure of social progress.

i. Governments have begun to use this information when ( ) new policies.

j. The new policies ( ) their citizens to live better lives.

3: Define: Define each word, correctly pronounce it, explain the meaning and/or usage, and offer an example

sentence to the class.

a. criteria c. corrupt e. respondent g. reveal i. craft

b. expectancy d. trustworthy f. ideal h. accepted j. enable





WORD RECOGNITION

1: Word Search: Find the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three

minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.



R E V E A L E D R Z Y G M C R

I W P O I U G E T C Z T V R K

Y F V E C N V A O R T J H M R

T R B E S A L R K K N Y Q R B

W R A B E X R E X G F C Y E N

C Y U L N U C G X M V H A S O

R R E S P O N D E N T S C P I

L D I T T I I S Q R Y X C O R

T A I T T W T T O A O H E N E

Q O E F E A E W P V U O P D T

N I A D S R T R Z P Q C T A I

W R T C I S I U T S U M E N R

C D H V U K R A W H L R D T C

R W R R E L B A N E Y G O S Y

G G T Y C N A T C E P X E C O

2: Target Word Pool: Find the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how many

words you can find in three minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.



corruption

corrupt

corrupted

corrupting

uncorruptable

revealed

revealing

reveals

reveled

unrevealed

expectancy

expecting

expectant

unexpected

expectorant

respondents

respondent

responsible

responded

responsive

enable

enabled

enables

enabling

enabler

ideal ideals

idolize

deal

idle

crafting

crafted

craft

crafts

crating

criteria

criterion

critical

criticize

critter

trustworthy

untrustworthy

trusted

trusting

untrusted

accepted

accepting

unaccepted

unacceptable

accepts





pre- or post-COMPREHENSION

1: Word Association: Brainstorm words associated with today's topic for two minutes. Present to the class.

2: Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer the

questions without looking at the article.

3: True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false.

If false, correct the sentence.

a. The Happiness Report is based on only six questions. T / F

b. Scandinavian countries provided enough income and social support for their citizens. T / F

c. People who answered the questions first imagined ideal situations. T / F

d. The article suggests that social togetherness and support is a very important factor. T / F

e. The information in the report hasn't been yet used to decide policies by governments. T / F

4: Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension.

a. What key factors have gone into the Happiness Report?

b. Which countries ranked highest? How about the lowest?

c. What is a Cantril Scale, and how was it used in the Happiness Report?

d. Why does the article mention the economy of some countries?

e. How is the report being used by governments?

5: Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article.

a. criteria c. corruption e. respondents g. revealed i. crafting

b. expectancy d. trustworthy f. ideal h. accepted j. enable

6: Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.

a. The World Happiness Report measures happiness in countries around the world, and...

b. The countries which fell just below the top positions had somewhat...

c. People who answered the questions had to imagine on...

d. Countries without much trust...

e. The report demonstrates that happiness must be viewed as an accepted...





post-COMPREHENSION

1: Vocabulary: Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your

dictionaries to understand the meanings. Present to the class.

2: Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to

discuss in pairs/groups or as a class. Discuss.

3: Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words.

4: Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

a. Did you like this article?

b. What was your general impression after reading this article?

c. Where on the scale do you think your country falls? Why do you think so?

d. Check the rank of your country in the Happiness Report. Were you surprised at its ranking?

e. What could your country likely do to increase its rank? Please explain.

f. If you could institute any change in your country, what would it be? Why?

g. Of the six key factors, which do you think is the most important? Why?

h. What sort of impact does the report really have on a government's planning? Why do you think so?

i. Would you consider moving to any of the top-ranking countries? Why/not?

j. On a more personal level, what could you do to be happier? Please explain.

5: Discuss: Imagine that you are the newly elected president or prime minister of your country. In the first thirty

days of office, what three policies or programs would you like to institute? What are the benefits?

Policy Reason to Implement / Expected Benefit(s)

6: Google Search: Type "Happiness Report" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic.

Discuss or write an essay about your findings.





STUDENT HANDOUT (the article)



criteria. These include GDP per capital, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life decisions,

generosity, and the level of corruption people believe exists.



top positions had somewhat weaker economies, poorer support networks, or both. Most sub-Saharan countries

in Africa found themselves at the bottom of the happiness scale, as also were war-torn countries.

The questionnaire was based on the Cantril Scale. Respondents imagined a ladder with steps numbered from

zero at the bottom to ten at the top. The top of the ladder represented an ideal life, and the bottom of the ladder

represented the worst possible life. People who answered the questions had to imagine on which step of the

ladder they currently stood.

An important discovery revealed that countries with high levels of trust better handled the most recent economic

crisis. Countries without much trust didn't do as well, and some countries continue to struggle economically.


goal of various public policies. As a result, more governments have begun to use this information when crafting

new policies which enable their citizens to live better lives.

Notes:





STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank)

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

ideal trustworthy accepted decisions corruption

networks established criteria respondents economically

expectancy crafting themselves enable revealed



(a. _______________). These include GDP per capital, social support, healthy life (b. _______________),

freedom to make life (c. _______________), generosity, and the level of (d. _______________) people

believe exists.

In general, Scandinavian countries were at the top of the report because of their strong economies,

(e. _______________) social support systems for their citizens, and (f. _______________) governments.

The countries which fell just below the top positions had somewhat weaker economies, poorer support

(g. _______________), or both. Most sub-Saharan countries in Africa found (h. _______________) at the

bottom of the happiness scale, as also were war-torn countries.

The questionnaire was based on the Cantril Scale. (i. _______________) imagined a ladder with steps

numbered from zero at the bottom to ten at the top. The top of the ladder represented an

(j. _______________) life, and the bottom of the ladder represented the worst possible life. People who

answered the questions had to imagine on which step of the ladder they currently stood.

An important discovery (k. _______________) that countries with high levels of trust better handled the

most recent economic crisis. Countries without much trust didn't do as well, and some countries continue to

struggle (l. _______________).

The report demonstrates that happiness must be viewed as an (m. _______________) measure of social

progress and the goal of various public policies. As a result, more governments have begun to use this

information when (n. _______________) new policies which (o. _______________) their citizens to live

better lives.





STUDENT HANDOUT (extended listening)

Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare your answers with a partner, and

then listen once more.


a) _____________________________________________________, and is based on six key criteria. These

include GDP per capital, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life decisions, generosity, and

the level of corruption people believe exists.



top positions had somewhat weaker economies, poorer support networks, or both. b) _____________________

________________________________, as also were war-torn countries.

c) _____________________________________________________. Respondents imagined a ladder with

steps numbered from zero at the bottom to ten at the top. The top of the ladder represented an ideal life, and

the bottom of the ladder represented the worst possible life. People who answered the questions had to imagine

on which step of the ladder they currently stood.

d) _____________________________________________________. Countries without much trust didn't do as

well, and some countries continue to struggle economically.


goal of various public policies. As a result, e) _____________________________________________________

which enable their citizens to live better lives.





STUDENT HANDOUT (notes)





ANSWER KEY

Vocabulary

1. Vocabulary Match: 2. Fill in the Blanks:

a. criteria f. ideal

b. expectancy g. revealed

c. corruption h. accepted

d. trustworthy i. crafting

e. respondents j. enable

pre- or post-Comprehension

1. True or False: 2. Fragments:

Student Handout

1. Fill in the Blanks

a. criteria i. respondents

b. expectancy j. ideal

c. decisions k. revealed

d. corruption l. economically

e. established m. accepted

f. trustworthy n. crafting

g. networks o. enable

h. themselves

2. Extended Listening

a. The World Happiness Report measures happiness in countries around the world

b. Most sub-Saharan countries in Africa found themselves at the bottom of the happiness scale

c. The questionnaire was based on the Cantril Scale

d. An important discovery revealed that countries with high levels of trust better handled the most recent economic crisis

e. more governments have begun to use this information when crafting new policies

a. v f. z

b. q g. w

c. y h. r

d. u i. t

e. s j. x

a. F

b. T

c. T

d. T

e. F

a. is based on six key criteria.

b. weaker economies, poorer support networks, or both.

c. which step of the ladder they currently stood.

d. didn't do as well, and some countries continue to struggle economically.

e. measure of social progress and the goal of various public policies.


the article (for teachers) - heads up english · upper-intermediate heads up english - 1 the...

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