
Planning a future vacation can make you just as happy as being on vacation, sometimes even happier. Research shows that planning positive future events, like trips or time with loved ones, brings us great joy.
Scientists have studied this with brain imaging. When people imagined happy events, a part of their brain that controls reward and future thinking became more active. This activity was connected to greater feelings of well-being. Another study found that people planning a trip were happier before it than after it. In short, looking forward to a trip may matter more than the memories, one psychologist(心理学家) says.
Why do we enjoy planning so much? For one thing, our bodies react as if we are already there. When we think about a beach and a cool drink, we feel relaxed and happy. For another, planning helps humans control their emotions. It is part of our nature.
Planning also connects us with others. We feel good when we share our plans with family and friends. Besides, having goals itself brings happiness. Well-being comes not just from achieving goals, but also from making progress toward them. However, experts warn us not to spend too much time living in the future.
Good news: it does not take a luxury trip to feel the benefits. Simple plans like dinner with a friend, a workout class, or walking the dog can also bring joy. One way to plan well is to make plans that match our values. Planning should help us manage our emotions, not escape the present. So start planning something you love today, and your brain will thank you.
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1.1. What can planning future events bring us?
A More memories.
B Great happiness.
C Less daily stress.
D A richer life.
解析:选B。B细节理解题。根据第一段“planning positive future events...brings us great joy”可知规划未来的事能带来巨大的快乐。A颠倒是非(原文说期待比回忆更重要,而非回忆更多),C无中生有(未提及压力),D过度推理("更丰富的生活"原文未支持)。故选B。
2.2. The word “it” in Paragraph 2 refers to ______.
A the trip
B the memory
C the study
D the brain
解析:选A。A词义猜测题。根据第二段“people planning a trip were happier before it than after it”可知“it” 指代前文的“a trip”(人们计划旅行时,旅行前比旅行后更开心)。B张冠李戴(memories在下一句才出现),C张冠李戴(study是研究本身),D张冠李戴(brain在第一句)。故选A。
3.3. According to Paragraph 3, planning helps humans ______.
A control their emotions
B recall old memories
C make more decisions
D share their ideas
解析:选A。A细节理解题。根据第三段“planning helps humans control their emotions. It is part of our nature”可知规划能帮助人类调节情绪。B颠倒是非(规划面向未来,而非回忆过去),C以偏概全(做决定只是规划的一部分,非P3强调的核心作用),D张冠李戴(分享计划是P4的内容)。故选A。
4.4. What do experts warn us about?
A Try to make more friends.
B Remember to share plans with others.
C Don’t focus too much on tomorrow.
D Always take expensive trips.
解析:选C。C观点态度题。根据第四段“experts warn us not to spend too much time living in the future”,专家告诫我们不要过多沉溺于未来,对应C选项“不要过度关注明天”。A无中生有;B是文中积极做法,不是警告内容;D与原文相悖。故选C。
5.5. What is the best title for the passage?
A Tips for Better Sleep
B How to Take a Good Vacation
C The Secrets of Happiness
D The Joy of Planning Ahead
解析:选D。D主旨大意题。全文围绕“规划未来能带来快乐”展开——从研究证据到原因解释再到实用建议。A无中生有(未提及睡眠),B以偏概全(度假只是规划的例子之一),C过度推理(文章只讲规划这一种快乐来源,概括为“幸福的秘密”过宽)。故选D。