1. The Keys to Happiness: Partly Genetic

According to the text, the “set point” refers to

• a person’s average happiness level.

• the happiest a person can possibly be.

• the saddest a person can be.

• a person’s average stress level.

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Researchers have found that…

• people have absolutely no control over their own happiness.

• material possessions make people happy.

• people usually return to their normal happiness level.

• most people can keep their happiness levels high.

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Which of the following identifies the main claim of the text?

• Genetics do not have any detectable impact on a person’s individual happiness, as scientists previously believed.

• By actively attempting to be happier more often, people can improve their set point of happiness.

• While genetics may determine a person's range of happiness, individual choices have a significant impact on happiness levels.

• Individual choices can influence a person’s happiness levels, but the effects they have on overall happiness are insignificant in comparison to the effects of genetics.

Which detail from the text best supports the author's main claim: While genetics may determine a person’s range of happiness, individual choices have a significant impact on happiness levels.

• "'So that left 40 percent that we conclude is the percent that is affected by what you do'" (Paragraph 40).

• “But some participants were able to maintain that elevated level of happiness by keeping the memory alive and appreciating what they already had.” (Paragraph 16)

• “‘And if you look at studies of various superficial circumstances, like income, where you live, how many cars you have, those are pretty small’" (Paragraph 23)

• “For several decades psychologists have wrestled with that question, and in recent years many, if not most, have embraced the idea that we are born with a tendency to be happy, or sour” (Paragraph 2)

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How does the detail about the study of twins contribute to the text (Paragraph 22)?

• It proves that environment has a significant impact on a person’s happiness, as twins do not the same level of happiness after being separated.

• It shows that happiness is greatly determined by genetics, so even separated twins are likely to have the same level of happiness.

• It shows how twins’ happiness levels are affected when separated at birth.

• It proves that there is no accurate way to determine what impacts a person’s level of happiness.

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What does the phrase “level of happiness” reveal about how researchers consider happiness to work (Paragraph 15)? ***Select ALL answers that apply!

• The phrase “level of happiness” reveals that researchers view happiness as something that can change and vary in degree.

• The phrase “level of happiness” reveals that researchers now know that different people experience different degrees of happiness.

• The phrase “level of happiness” reveals that researcher realize a persons happiness can vary somewhat over time.

• The phrase "level of happiness" reveals why researchers are disappointed to report that happiness has a “‘set point’ that is really a range; however, we cannot move up and down on the happiness scale within that range”; thus, nothing we do really even matters.

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How does the author’s claim in this article regarding happiness compare to previous understandings of happiness?

• The author’s claim suggests that people have more control over their personal happiness than previously believed.

• The author's claim suggests that people do not have any agency over their own emotions, which aligns exactly with previous studies about happiness.

• The author's claims suggest that people have less control over their own happiness than previously believed.

• There is not evidence in the article of previous understandings in comparison to this author's claims.