1.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:To date, happiness has defied definition. Most people tend to equate happiness with fun, good living, plenty of money. If happiness were synonymous with all this, rich people with all their luxuries and countless parties would be perpetually happy. But in actual fact, they are, frequently, acutely unhappy, despite their riches and ability to indulge in fun activities at will. Fun is what we experience during an act; happiness is that intangible something we experience after an act. We may have fun watching a movie, going shopping, meeting friends – these are all fun activities that afford us fleeting moments of relaxation and enjoyment.Happiness, on the other hand, is a much stronger, deeper and more abiding emotion. If we perceive happiness as the ultimate goal, we must also devise a way to reach that goal. The way to happiness is not a smooth, broad highway along which we can cruise at a comfortable speed. It is a path through rocky and rugged terrain and the going can become very tough at times. At these times we have to roll up our sleeves and with pitchfork and shovel make our way onwards. This pursuit of happiness lasts a lifetime. Great happiness is earned only by great effort and effort not in spurts but diligent, constant effort.In this connection we are confronted with another fallacy, that fun and pleasure mean happiness and thus pain, its corollary, must be synonymous with unhappiness. But in fact, the truth is quite different. Things that bring us happiness, more often than not, involve some amount of pain. It is because of the misconception that people avoid the very endeavour that is the source of true happiness.Difficult endeavours – such as the raising of children, establishing deeper relationships with loved ones, trying to do something worthwhile in life-hold the promise of a world of happiness. Happiness is not a permanent vocation. Another prevalent belief is that if one were rich enough not to have to work, one would be blissfully happy.But a job is more than just a paychequer. Almost, all religions teach us that work is worship. Work holds the key to happiness as doing something which increases confidence and self-worth. It brings on a feeling of satisfaction, of doing something, of contributing. Job satisfaction comes less from how much one earns than from the challenge of the job.(i) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-headings.(ii) Write a summary of the passage and suggest a suitable title.

Answer»

(i) Notes:
1. Definition of happiness
1.1. not synonym of fun.
1.2. is intangible – we experience happiness after a successful act
1.3. stronger, deeper, more abiding emotion
1.4. an ultimate goal

2. Fun
2.1. we experience during an act
2.1.1. by watching a movie, going shopping, meeting friends
2.1.2. relaxation & enjoyment

3. Way to happiness
3.1. not smooth & comfortable
3.2. the very tough-rocky and rugged area
3.3. lasts a lifetime
3.4. needs diligent and constant efforts

4. Fallacies regarding happiness
4.1. true happiness
4.1.1. not synonymous with pleasure
4.1.2. lies in raising children
4.1.3. loving people
4.1.4. doing worthwhile things

5. Facts about Happiness
5.1. happiness isn’t permanent
5.2. work is worship
5.2.1. key to happiness
5.2.2. increases confidence & self-worth
5.2.3. self-satisfaction

(ii) Summary or Abstraction
Happiness defies definition. People equate happiness with fun, money, and living a luxurious life. In fact, happiness is not the synonym of fun. People despite living a very luxurious life, are not often happy. Watching a movie, going shopping, and meeting friends may be a part of the fun but not necessarily happiness. Fun activities give us fleeting moments of relaxation and enjoyment while happiness is a much stronger, deeper, and abiding emotion. True happiness comes out of work and by doing some worthwhile things in life. Work gives us satisfaction and self-confidence which ultimately gives us happiness. Way to happiness is rocky and very tough. Hence, work is the key to happiness
Title – ‘Work: Key to Happiness’



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