OP Unit 17: Defining happiness

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Objective Proficiency Unit 17

In this unit you will revise the use of comparisons and modals, read and speak about the concept of happiness and practise with Multiple choice, Open cloze, Word formation, Key word transformation and Gapped text (parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of Use of English and Reading exam).

Words/idioms that are connected
with joy/happiness

1. A joy to behold > Meaning: a thing or experience that creates a profound sense of pleasure or elation in the spectator 
2. Be full of the joys of spring (humorous) > Meaning: to be jubilant. 
3. Bundle of joy (=bundle from heaven) > Meaning: a newborn baby 
   
4. Burst with joy > Meaning: to be full to the bursting point with happiness. 
5. Leap for joy (=jump for joy) > Meaning: to jump up because one is happy; to be euphoric, show exceptional excitement 
   
6. Pride and joy > Meaning: something or someone that one is very proud of. 
7. Weep for joy > Meaning: to cry out of happiness 
8.  On cloud nine > Meaning: a person who is on cloud nine is overjoyed because something wonderful has happened.
9. Like a dog with two tails > Meaning: to be elated. 
10. Grin from ear to ear > Meaning: to look very satisfied and smiling.

1. Happy camper > Meaning: to be content or satisfied with what is happening in the life and to have no complaints. 
2.  Happy as a flea in a doghouse > Meaning: to be euphoric and contented.
3.  Happy as Larry > Meaning: to be delighted
4.  Happy-go-lucky > Meaning: to be cheerful and carefree all the time.
5.  Having a whale of a time > Meaning: to have a very good time, have an exciting or fun time
6.   On top of the world > Meaning: to feel ecstatic, enjoy great health, success.
7.   Over the moon > Meaning: extremely pleased and happy
8.   In seventh heaven > Meaning: in a very happy state
9.   Walking on air > Meaning: to be merry, to feel like you are floating on air.

In Dutch we say .....

Mention 3 misconceptions of happiness

Here are two articles on happiness

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-we-get-wrong-happiness_l_5e2f0916c5b67d8874b72959?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD-kALDe2v3CoY5M8V94WP22kWvbAyU4Xjjk5EVoIOqMhC0IzIDwYCOdyJoYXviMXg4kMMIBWfL1CreFickAObAi2__3_40BnXblCo5g4MMGOyaHUe7Q2OtF_QBrrOQe99Kok0mENW1u5yNdQEGT7NgqjEW-MtWRf1t-bEbaBnRx

and

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/why-its-time-to-stop-pursuing-happiness

www.huffpost.com

www.theguardian.com

Assignment

Read both articles and make a list of at least 10 words that are unfamiliar to you (and their meanings)  and take notes for a discussion on happiness.

Assignment: For next class

Have a look at  the list with words and expressions that you drew up from the articles, and ….

prepare to have a conversation about happiness:

1. What do you think is the most common misconception about happiness? Why so?
   
2. What do you think of our eternal pursuit for even greater contentment?
3. What do you do to be happy? Are you happy (for want of a better word!) with the results?
4. What could you do to make other people happy?
   
5. What could schools do to make their students happier?
   

You'll be divided into groups of 2.  Discuss the questions stated below. Take turns and speak for 3 minutes each and assess each other's performance according to the rubrics on the following slide.

1. What do you think is the most common misconception about happiness? Why so?
2. What do you think of our eternal pursuit for even greater contentment?
3. What do you do to be happy? Are you happy (for want of a better word!) with the results?
4. What could you do to make other people happy?
5. What could schools do to make their students happier?

During your conversation you assess your partner’s speech according to the rubrics below:

• Is able to carry a coherent conversation for some time                2
  
• Uses a wide range of vocabulary (using expressions!)                   2
  
• Uses a wide range of grammatical structures (e.g., inversion, gerund, passive)                                                                                         2
  
• Is able to sustain his/her arguments well                                           1
  
• Correct pronunciation                                                                              1
• ________________________________________________________________
• Total score                                                                                                   8
  

Take the feedback and good advice to heart and insert the feedback you've been given into your green LessonUp.

Comparison

I'm happier now than I have ever been.  (more ....)

He is not as happy as he used to be.

She is nowhere near as happy as she was last year.

He is by far the happiest person I know.  (most ....)

She is a great deal happier now she is with her family again.

The more people she meets, the happier she is.   

--->  page 186

Extra explanation and practice

For more explanation on the basics of comparisons (if needed):

https://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/comparisons/

For more exercises (advanced and proficiency) on comparisons and modals (if needed):

https://ieltsmaterial.com/advanced-grammar-for-ielts-comparison/

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs.html

Metaphors

Page 145

What's your metaphor
for school?

What's your metaphor
for future?

What's your metaphor
for unhappiness

What's your metaphor for happiness?

Insert your answer into the next page.

To me happiness is like a ....

Week assignment

Have a look at your week assignment of week 7 in your green LessonUp and finish all the assignments.

When having a question: just holler!