Can money buy happiness?

Can money buy happiness?

by | Sep 22, 2014 | Uncategorised

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Can money buy happiness?
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THE BLUE TREE

Opinions

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

THESIS: Money is essential for happiness

Can money buy happiness? Are people who earn 2 dollars a day sad? According to some statistics, half of the world’s population live on less than $2 a day. What is their life like? Can a person in India, for example, who earns $2/day live a happy and satisfying life? Or maybe the poverty standards are set by people who think luxury is the only mode of happiness?

VIEW A

Money is definitely not essential for happiness. As long as your basic amenities – food, shelter, clothing are provided you can live a happy and satisfying life. Moreover, aren’t the most important things in life – family, community, love – for free?

VIEW B

Money is essential for happiness, full stop. It’s almost non-negotiable that only having accumulated enough wealth, one can secure their future. Having money allows us not only to live fully but also to practise generosity which is a source of happiness in itself, isn’t it?

POLL

Cast your vote below. How does your opinion compare with the rest of the responders?

Coming Soon
Money is essential for happiness.
Total Votes : 17

COMMENTS

Read the comments left by other users of The Blue Tree and submit your own view. 

Spoken responses – 1

Spoken responses – 1

by | Sep 15, 2014 | Uncategorised

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

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Spoken responses – 1
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THE BLUE TREE

Everyday English

CEF B1

CEFR A1

Elementary

warm up

Answer the questions below.

When you speak English do you translate your thoughts from Polish to English?

TRANSCRIPT

Not now, but before, yes, I did. When I started learning English, I always translated from Polish in my head. It was slow, and sometimes I made mistakes. But now, I don’t translate. I think in English because I have practiced a lot. Living in Oxford helped me. I use English every day, so now it feels natural.

Do you think it is possible to learn English just by watching movies or series?
TRANSCRIPT

I think movies and series help a lot, but they are not enough. When I moved to England, I watched a lot of films in English. It helped me learn new words and hear how people really speak. But to speak well, you also need to practice. I talked with people at work and in shops. That was very important. So, movies are good, but you need to use English in real life too.

Do you feel stressed when you have to speak English with strangers?
TRANSCRIPT

“Oh, one really happy moment? There are quite a few, but let me think… Okay, got it! It was the day I got my dream job offer. I was at home, checking my emails, not expecting much. And there it was – the offer letter! I remember feeling this huge rush of excitement and I just started jumping around my living room. It was a job I really wanted, and I’d worked so hard for it. I felt so proud and, well, over the moon! It was like all my efforts had finally paid off. That day was just full of laughter and celebration with my friends and family. Definitely a memory I cherish!”

PRACTICE

THE QUIZ

Do this quiz. There are 20 situations. Some will be very easy, some will be new for you.

Choose the answer, even you don’t know it! Be brave and ready to take a risk!

Check the comments on the answers page.

SPOKEN RESPONSES

What is the best way to respond in these 20 everyday situations?

Pick your answer, even if you are not so sure about it.



Ready, steady, go!

Situation 1

A: How are you?
B: I'm  ............., thanks.

Situation 2

A: What's up?
B: Actually, I'm a bit under the ............... today.

Situation 3

A: How are you feeling?
B: To tell you the............., I'm not feeling so good at the moment.

Situation 4

A: (in a shop) Can I help you?
B: No thanks, I'm just ...........

Situation 5

A: Did you hear that my cat died last night?
B: Oh, dear. I am so ...........

Situation 6

A: What will I get for my birthday?
B: Aha! Wait and ...........

Situation 7

A: I'm sorry I broke your mug.
B: Oh, don't .......... about it. I didn't like it much anyway.

Situation 8

A: I have just won 100,000 on the lottery!
B: No way! You're pulling my ...........

Situation 9

A: Have a nice weekend?
B: The same ........ you.

Situation 10

A: Hello, Dave. 
B: Jane, hi. Do come in. Make yourself at ..........



You are half-way through. Keep up the good work!

Situation 11

A: Please don't tell anyone what I've just told you.
B: Don't worry. My ............. are sealed.

Situation 12

A: I've just passed my driving test. 
B: Oh, great, ..............

Situation 13

A: Things aren't too good at work, I'm afraid. 
B: Oh, dear. Well, try to keep your ........... up.

Situation 14

A: We need your decision as soon as possible. 
B: All right. Let me ............. on it. I'll give you an answer in the morning.

Situation 15

A: Dad, can I borrow your car tonight?
B: I'd ........... you didn't, I will need it later.

Situation 16

A: Rob, can you borrow me a few hundred dollars?
B: No way! Not a ............... You already owe me over one 1K.

Situation 17

A: Would you like to come to the cinema tonight?
B: I'd ............. to, thanks. Will you pick me up, please?


Well done! You're almost there!

Situation 18

A: Would you like to come to the theatre tonight?
B: I can't. I'm up to my .......... in work. Maybe another time?

Situation 19

A: I'm having a job interview tomorrow. 
B: Good luck. I'll be keeping my .......... crossed for you.

Situation 20

A: How did the interview go?
B: Let's say this wasn't my ............. day.

QUIZLET

Use this Quizlet set to remember better what to say in these everyday situations. 

MONDAY MORNING CATCH UP

Do this task below. Complete this short conversations with the missing words. Use the words from the blue box. 

SPOKEN RESPONSES - FILL IN THE GAPS

Use these words to complete this dialogue.
There are more words than you will need to make it a bit more challenging. 🙂

crossed | sounds | ears | fine | chin | catch

Dialogue: Monday Morning Catch-Up

Alice: Hey Anya! How was your weekend?

Anya: Hey Alice! It was 1, thanks. 

Alice: Yeah, it was good! I finally had time to relax. But this morning, I’m really up to my 2 in work.

Anya: Oh dear! Keep your 3 up. Monday is always the hardest.

Alice: True! But at least I have coffee. How about you? Did you do anything fun?

Anya: Actually, yes! I went hiking with some friends. The views were amazing!

Alice: Oh, that 4 great! I wish I could have joined you.

Anya: Maybe next time! Anyway, I’d love to chat more, but I have a meeting now.

Alice: No worries! Let’s 5 up later. Good luck with your meeting—I’ll be keeping my fingers 6 for you!

Anya: Thanks! See you later!

FREE PRACTICE

Use the language from this lesson to create a similar conversation to the one from tast 3.

COMMENTS

Post your answers to these questions here.