Раздел 1. Чтение

Living in the moment makes people happier

Psychologists have found that people are distracted from the task they are performing nearly half of the time, and this daydreaming consistently makes them less happy. But the study also found A ____________ than what they are actually doing.

Many philosophical and religious traditions highlight the benefits of living for the moment, B _________________. Psychologists at Harvard University collected information on the daily activities, thoughts and feelings of 2,250 volunteers to find out how often they were focused on what they were doing, and what made them most happy. They found that people were happiest C ________________, and least happy when working, resting or using a home computer. They also found that subjects' minds were wandering nearly half of the time D ______________.

The researchers concluded that thinking ahead and daydreaming make people more miserable, even E ___________________. Even the most interesting tasks did not keep people's full attention. Participants in the study said they were thinking about something else at least 30% of the time while performing different tasks.

"Human beings have a unique ability to focus on things that aren't happening right now. That F ________________; to think about and plan for the future as well. It also allows them to imagine things that might never happen," said Matthew Killingsworth, the lead researcher. "At the same time, it seems that human beings often use this ability in ways that are not productive, and it can also make us unhappy," he added.

1. and that this consistently made them less happy

2. allows them to reflect on the past and learn from it

3. even when they were being tested and corrected

4. that people spend nearly half their time thinking about something other

5. when they are thinking about something pleasant

6. but until now there has not been much scientific evidence to support this

7. when exercising or in conversation

Australia's Northern Territory

Australia's Northern Territory is a huge region, equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined, where natural environments from deserts and rocky mountain ranges to mangroves and tropical forests abound. If you're seeking a tour experience that allows an intimate connection with vast, unspoilt natural environments, the Northern Territory is definitely one of the premier destinations on the planet.

The contrasts and colours of the Northern Territory's rich environment ebb and flow with the seasons, nowhere more evident than in the World Heritage National Parks of Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia and Kakadu in the tropical north. The Northern Territory's flora and fauna is as diverse as fleeting desert wildflowers and sumptuous lotus lilies, and tiny gecko lizards and giant saltwater crocodiles.

The native people of the Northern Territory continue to hold a profoundly spiritual, unbroken connection to the land that reaches back tens of thousands of years, yet is still accessible today. They are becoming increasingly involved in the Northern Territory tourism industry, and now operate a range of authentic tour businesses that include activities ranging from desert walks in search of bush tucker to visits to ancient rock art galleries.

The Northern Territory is famous for its diverse, colourful characters. Uncomplicated, larger than life characters are easy to find in the Territory's legendary outback pubs, cattle stations and country towns. At the same time, the Northern Territory today is also home to a diverse, multicultural mix of people all of whom are only too willing to share a yarn or two. It's hard not to fall in love with Territorians' open, down-to-earth, can-do attitude, whatever their background.

Kakadu National Park is located 250 kilometres east of Darwin. Plunging gorges, rugged escarpments, lush wetlands and cascading waterfalls abound in Kakadu, covering area the size of Wales or the US state of West Virginia. Renowned for the richness of its natural and cultural wonders, Kakadu has one of the highest concentrations in the world of publicly accessible Aboriginal rock art sites. Closer to Darwin are the unspoiled wetlands of Mary River National Park which is home to millions of birds, many crocodiles and plentiful fish including the mighty barramundi. The Litchfield National Park is located about 100 kilometres south of Darwin, and is home to an impressive array of natural wonders including waterfalls, rock pools and towering gorges. Arnhem Land, to the east of Kakadu National Park, covers some 91,000 square kilometers and is home to many Aboriginal people, most of whom continue to speak their traditional languages and practice their traditional cultures. To visit Arnhem Land, a permit must be obtained from the Northern Land Council in Darwin. The stunning beauty and cultural significance of areas such as Oenpelli, Mt Borradaile, and the Cobourg and Gove peninsulas make a visit to Arnhem Land an unforgettable experience.

1) original nature.

2) traditional arts.

3) climatic conditions.

4) educational opportunities.

1) were broken by civilization.

2) are not the same as before.

3) were exchanged for business.

4) have been kept for ages.

1) sophisticated.

2) aggressive.

3) nationalistic.

4) open hearted.

1) fish.

2) reptile.

3) mammal.

4) bird.

1) The access is always unrestricted.

2) The access is closed during some seasons.

3) Permission is needed to visit some.

4) The access permit is very expensive.

1) tiring.

2) breathtaking.

3) dangerous.

4) time-consuming.

1) to advertise a tourist destination.

2) to give an academic description of the land.

3) to give a poetic description of the land.

4) to raise environmental issues.