Text 2
1All around the world, lawyers generate more hostility than the members of any other profession--- with the possible exception of journalism. But there are few places where clients have more grounds for complaint than America。
客户客户抱怨
2During the decade before the economic crisis, spending on legal services in America grew twice as fast as inflation. The best lawyers made skyscrapers-full of money.Tempting ever more students to pile into law schools. But most law graduates never get a big-firm job. Many of them instead become the kind of nuisance-lawsuit filer that makes the tort system a costly nightmare。// 诉讼滋扰
挫工，档案管理员民事侵权行为律师没起作用
QAQ好像前两段和后面没啥关系啊
3There are many reasons for this. One is the excessive costs of a legal education. There is just one path for a lawyer in most American states; a four-year undergraduate degree in some unrelated subject, then a three-year law degree at one of 200 law schools authorized by the American Bar Association and an expensive preparation for the bar exam. This leaves today’s average law-school graduate with $100,000 of debt on top of undergraduate debts. Law-school debt means that they have to work fearsomely hard。①学律师很贵原因一红色
4Reform ing the system would help both lawyers and their customers. Sensible ideas have been around for a long time, but t he state-level bodies that govern the profession have been too conservative to implement实施them. One idea is to allow people to study law as an undergraduate degree. Another is to let students sit for the bar after only two years of law school. If the bar exam is truly a stern enough test for a would-be lawyer, those who can sit it earlier should be allowed to do so. Students who do need the extra training could cut their debt mountain by a third。
②改革无法实施
以上两点也是为什么这么贵的原因
5The other reason why costs are so high is the restrictive限制的guild-like ownership structure of the business. Except in the District of Columbia, non-lawyers may not own any share of a law firm. This keeps fees high and innovation创新slow. There is pressure for change from within the profession, 改革的阻力来自于专业人士but opponents of change among the regulators insist that keeping outsiders圈外人out of a law firm isolates lawyers from the pressure to make money rather than serve clients ethically。
6In fact,allowing non-lawyers to own shares in law firms would reduce costs and improve services to customers, by encouraging law firms to use technology and to employ professional managers to focus on improving firms’efficiency . After all,other countries, such as Australia and Britain,have stared liberalizing their legal professions. America should follow。解放就是can own share 可以持有股份
26. A lot of students take up law as their profession due to D
[A] the growing demand from clients回到文中去定位
[B] the increasing pressure of inflation
[C] the prospect of working in big firms
[D] the attraction of financial rewards
27. which of the following adds to the costs of legal education in most American states? C D 原文大意：还要学其他科目不是直接考过试就行了
[A] Higher tuition fees for undergraduate studies
[B] Receiving training by professional associations
[C] Admissions approval from the bar association
[D] Pursuing a bachelors degree in another major
不严谨啊无关的科目≠另外的专业啊只能用排除法其他更不对
28. Hindrance to the reform of the legal system originates from起源于C
A 障碍物
这个单词很重要！hide是躲藏hind-表示那块石头，就是障碍物
[A] the rigid bodies governing the profession
[B] lawyers’and clients’strong resistance阻力
[C] the stern exam for would-be lawyers。
[D] non-professionals’sharp criticism
29. The guild-like ownership structure is considered “restrictive”partly because A B
原文定位以后就反复看，反复分析长难句的句子结构，找出主干，然后一个一个词地看！
[A] prevents lawyers from gaining due profits。
[B] bans outsiders’involvement in the profession。
[C] aggravates the ethical situation in the trade。
[D] keeps lawyers form lidding law-firm shares。
30. In the text ,the author mainly discusses。抱怨 B
[A] the factors that help make a successful lawyer in America。
[B] a problem in America’s legal profession ard solutions to it。
[C] the role undergraduate studies in America’s legal education。
[D] flawed ownership of America’s law firms and its causes。
2014年考研英语二真题及答案解析 (1~20/共20题)Section ⅠUse of English Thinner isn’t always better. A. number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health. Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese. While such numerical standards seem___9___ , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit,___10___ others with a low BMI may be in poor ___11___ .For example, many collegiate and professional football players ___12___ as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a ___13___ BMI. Today we have a(an) ___14___ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes ___15___in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes ___16___ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects for success.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. ___17___very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools. Negative attitudes toward obesity,___18___in health concems，have stimulated a number of anti-obesity__19__.My ownhosital system has banned sugary drinks its facilities.Many employes instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama has launched a high-visibility campaign ___20___childhood obesity，even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat. 第1题 A.denied B.concluded C.doubled D.ensured 第2题 A.protective B.dangerous C.sufficient D.troublesome 第3题 A.Instead B.However C.Likewise D.Therefore
2020年考研英语一阅读解析 2020年考研英语一阅读解析 1)理解主旨要义； 2)理解文中的具体信息； 3)理解文中的概念性含义； 4)实行相关的判断、推理和引申； 5)根据上下文推测生词的词义； 6)理解文章的总体结构以及上下文之间的关系； 7)理解作者的意图、观点或态度； 8)区分论点和论据。 万变不离其宗，在此再次提醒考生如何有重点地实行下一步复习：真题再现，反复精练，摸清思路，再次提升 真题是最应该重视的，近十年的考研英语阅读真题对于备考来说 是非常有价值的，出题形式稳定，掌握出题规律，也是最真的模拟。 各位考生在私下备考时，应侧重从宏观上掌握此题命题走向，微观了 解此题细分题型及应对技巧。其中，考研英语的阅读在整张试卷中所 占的比重，除40分值的传统阅读理解题型，还有10分的新题型，即 七选五、补全段落之类题目，使得考生又对其不得不更加重视。同时，翻译和完形填空题型的解答与阅读水平的高低也有着直接的联系，读 懂是首要，才能更好地实行下一步，翻译或完成句子。所以，提升阅 读水平，在考研英语中绝对不容忽视。 同时，在专项练习中，根据自己实际情况，强项稳住，弱项增强 练习，对于真题中涉及到的每一篇文章，每一道题目，每一个选项， 都要从精读的角度，真正理解和掌握文章的词、句，将答案中的关键
点与文章中、题干中的关键词结合起来，仔细分析，找出其中的联系，学会定位原文，这就是熟悉作者的出题思路和掌握自己的做题思路。 错不怕，重分析，做总结，心态调整好 做题的过程中，难免有些同学偶尔发现自己的错题过多，不要焦 躁与灰心，错题分析的过程中就是总结提升的过程。只要发现问题实 行总结，相信到最后好的结果一定等着我们。考题的难度就是历年真 题的难度，但是只要反复练习，整理思路，持续提升，在自己的水平 范围内拿到更高的分数，就是成功。
2014年全国硕士研究生入学考试英语(二)试题 Section I Use of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points) Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health. Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese. While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI. Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power,and lower prospects for success.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools. Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign _20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat. 1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured 2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome 3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore 4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example 5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern 6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of 7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies 8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part
2018考研英语阅读解题思路：细节题 理解文章的具体信息和概念含义是大纲对阅读的明确要求。细节题目的考查在每年的考研英语真题当中都会占到一半以上，考生必须给予足够重视，牢牢掌握细节题的解题方法和思路。我们以2009年的真题为例： The relationship between formal education and economic growth in poor countries is widely misunderstood by economists and politicians alike. Progress in both area is undoubtedly necessary for the social, political and intellectual development of these and all other societies; however, the conventional view that education should be one of the very highest priorities for promoting rapid economic development in poor countries is wrong. We are fortunate that it is, because building new educational systems there and putting enough people through them to improve economic performance would require two or three generations. 31. The author holds that the importance of education in poor countries______. [A] is subject to groundless doubts [B] has fallen victim of bias [C] is conventional downgraded [D] has been overestimated 解析：首先依据题干关键词the importance of education in poor countries定位到第一句The relationship between formal education and economic growth in poor countries is widely misunderstood，但是仔细研读后发现贫穷国家中正规教育与经济发展之间的关系为经济学家及政治家们普遍误解。，该句只是在说正式教育和经济发展之间的关系，并不是题干所要找的教育的重要性。继续定位到第三句however, the conventional view that education should be one of the very highest priorities for promoting rapid economic development in poor countries is wrong.那种认为教育应该是促进贫穷国家经济快速发展的重要因素之一的传统观点是错误的。句中涉及了和教育的重要性相关的信息，锁定为答案出处。作者说这种传统的观点时错误的，可以理解为作者认为贫困国家不应该把教育看的如此重要，即，现在的贫困国家太过于注重教育了，所以答案选[D] has been overestimated教育被高估了。[C] is conventional downgraded被降级轻视，和原文事实相反。A和B选项所说的怀疑和偏见态度在原文中找不到依据，可排除。
2014年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语二试题 Section I Use of English Directions: Read the following text.Choose the best word(s)for each numbered blank and mark[A],[B],[C]or[D]on the ANSWER SHEET.(10points) Thinner isn’t always better.A number of studies have1that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight.And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually2.For example,heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women.3among the elderly,being somewhat overweight is often an4of good health. Of even greater5is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define.It is often defined 6body mass index,or BMI.BMI7body mass divided by the square of height.An adult with a BMI of 18to25is often considered to be normal weight.Between25and30is overweight.And over30is considered obese.Obesity,8,can be divided into moderately obese,severely obese,and very severely obese. While such numerical standards seem9,they are not.Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat.Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit,10others with a low BMI may be in poor 11.For example,many collegiate and professional football players12as obese,though their percentage body fat is low.Conversely,someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a13BMI. Today we have a(an)14to label obesity as a disgrace.The overweight are sometimes15in the media with their faces covered.Stereotypes16with obesity include laziness,lack of will power,and lower prospects for success.Teachers,employers,and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese.17very young children tend to look down on the overweight,and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools. Negative attitudes toward obesity,18in health concerns,have stimulated a number of anti-obesity 19.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities.Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives.Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign20childhood obesi-ty,even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat. 1.[A]denied[B]conduced[C]doubled[D]ensured 2.[A]protective[B]dangerous[C]sufficient[D]troublesome 3.[A]Instead[B]However[C]Likewise[D]Therefore 4.[A]indicator[B]objective[C]origin[D]example 5.[A]impact[B]relevance[C]assistance[D]concern 6.[A]in terms of[B]in case of[C]in favor of[D]in of 7.[A]measures[B]determines[C]equals[D]modifies 8.[A]in essence[B]in contrast[C]in turn[D]in part 9.[A]complicated[B]conservative[C]variable[D]straightforward 10.[A]so[B]while[C]since[D]unless 11.[A]shape[B]spirit[C]balance[D]taste 12.[A]start[B]qualify[C]retire[D]stay 13.[A]strange[B]changeable[C]normal[D]constant 14.[A]option[B]reason[C]opportunity[D]tendency 15.[A]employed[B]pictured[C]imitated[D]monitored 16.[A]compared[B]combined[C]settled[D]associated
2014年考研英语二大小作文真题及答案解析 英语二大作文 Directions: Write an essay based on the following chart.In your essay, you should 1) interpret the chart, and 2) give your comments。 You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points) As the bargraph indicates, both city and rural area witnessed a distinguished phenomenonin population fluctuation. Indeed, population in city increased at a breakneckspeed and surpassed that of rural area during the period from 1990 to 2010while population in rural region slightly decreased down to a scale which wasclose to that of city。
Whataccounts for this disparity? The answer involves two factors. The firstcontributing factor is the substantially fast developing steps of cities inChina. No one can deny that since Chinese economic reform from 1980s whichmostly benefits people in city. The second reason is that Chinese farmers enjoythe harvest from new policies that are established to benefit farmers. Peoplein rural areas are allowed to migrate for work and residence by the law and anincreasing number of farmers choose to work in city and become migrant workersjust because they would make much more money than ever before in city. Allthese are the result of urbanization。 Basedon the analyses above, we can safely draw the conclusion that the process ofurbanization will continue in the years ahead, and every single Chinese benefitsfrom the fast development of China。 英语二小作文 Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student, write him an email to 1) tell him about your living habits, and 2) ask for advice about living there。 首先，注意试题要求，一定要在首段告知写信目的后，在第二段给出自己的生活习惯，尾段一定按着题目要求向对方请求一些建议，否则会被认为是没有涵盖所有信息点，会被扣分。 其次，第二段写自己的生活习惯时，不宜写的太过极端和个性，否则你的信件会让目标读者反感，因此起不到大纲要求的“对目标读者产生预期效果”，也会被无情扣掉很多分。
2019考研英语阅读理解常见题型总结 来源：智阅网 考研英语阅读理解虽然难度不小，但是还是有规律可循。掌握好了规律，可以有效提高我们的复习效率和复习成绩。所以，就来说说阅读理解的常见题型有哪些。 1.主旨大意题。 这类题实质考察考生对中心思想的理解，难度不高，具体应对技巧如下： A.关注各段落首句，尤其是第一段首句，这与西方人思维相关，他们习惯开门见山表达出自己的观点，然后广泛引用材料去论述。因此，一般而言首段的首句构成文章的中心句，而各段的首句构成各段的中心。 B.关注首段末句。有些作者习惯先列出一些传统的观点或先对一些具体现象进行说明，然后提出与之不同的观点或在结尾对现象进行总结，在接下来的段落中继续论述。对于这类文章，如果作者没有提出不同的观点，则最后总结性语句为文章中心，一旦提出不同或完全对立的观点，又在后文中加以论述，则作者提出的新观点为文章中心;如果新老观点均是对同一个结果的论述，那么该论述的结论为文章中心。 C.当不能直接找出主题句时，通常文章中作者给予叙述较多或强调较多的某一事物或某一观点即文章的中心。在题目作答时，可采用中心词定位法，排除不含中心词的选项，对比有中心词的选项，选择最接近中心的选项。 D.如果对选项仍有异议，可把有异议的选项逐个带入文章中，看哪个能更好的囊括文章中心。这是一个检验的过程。 2.事实细节题。 此类题占阅读总分40分中的50%左右，因此十分重要。注意，这类问题与推理性问题截然相反，都可以从原文中找到答案，只不过
为了迷惑考生，常常将原文进行改写，换一种说法。所以，照抄原文，一字不改的不一定就是答案，而与原文意思相同的，才是正确的。其基本应对技巧如下： A.基本原则是以中心为导向，忠实原文为基础，千万不可主观臆断，最好的方法是回到原文的出题点进行揣摩。 B.必须看清题目，尤其是当题目就某一个具体细节并且脱离文章中心的提问。一般来说，细节问题绝大部分是围绕文章中心进行出题，但不排除文中就一些具体的，因果互动现象的内容提问。 3.词汇短语题。 其分值不高，考察范围可分为两类。第一，纲内词汇词义的引申。考察考生对所熟悉的词汇在特定语境下正确含义的理解。一般来说，该词的本意不是解，但是其引申义上仍可以找到本意的影子。第二，纲外词汇词义的推断。 4.推断性问题。 此类题大概占20%左右的分值，总体难度不大，是考生的必得分点。中心导向依然是解题的宏观主线，其关键是忠实原文的推断。其应对策略和事实细节题类似，考生在该题型上的主要失误在于脱离文章主观臆断造成的。 5.语气态度题。 对作者态度的判断是构成阅读理解的两条宏观主线之一。因此，正确辨明作者对所叙述事物的态度，不仅关系到本类题型的解答，也潜在影响到其他问题的正确解答。这类题目主要从作者文中描述事物所用到的形容词，副词，动词等表达感情色彩的词汇入手。当选项不能确定时，再回到原文中找关键词。对这类题型，分清褒贬一般不难，是考生的必得分点。 我们还可以做做何老师的2019《考研英语阅读思路解析》，有助于我们更好地理解阅读理解这个题型，并且还能培养好应试心理。
2014考研英语二答案及解析
2014年全国硕士研究生入学统一考试英语（二）试题解析 Section I Use of English 1、【答案】B concluded 【解析】题干中，一系列的研究已经_____，事实上，正常体重的人的患病风险要高于超重的人。根据句义，后面的部分实际上是研究的结论，因此concluded符合题意，其他选项denied（否认）与意义相反，doubled（翻倍）与题意较远，ensured（确保）不符合题意，因为研究不能确保后面的事实，只能得出后面的事实作为结论。所以正确答案为B。 2、【答案】A protective 【解析】题干中，对于某些健康情况，超重事实上是有_____。根据前文研究的结论，超重能减少罹患疾病的风险，说明超重具有一定的保护作用。Dangerous和文章意思相反，sufficient表示充足，troublesome表示有麻烦，不符合题意，所以正确答案为A。 3、【答案】C likewise 【解析】第三句话中，较重的女人患缺钙的比例低于较瘦的女人。_____，在老年人中，一定程度上超重……。需要填入的是和前半句表示顺接的词语。A 选项instead表示逆接的句意关系，B选项however也表示逆接，D选项therefore 表示因此，只有C选项likewise意为同样地；也，而且。因此正确答案为C。 4、【答案】A indicator 【解析】本句话中，_____，一定程度上超重，经常是健康的_____。A选项，表示指示器，指标。B选项objective表示客观；C选项origin表示来源，D选项example表示例子。根据前面的文章内容，已经明确指出超重代表了健康，因此超重是健康的指标。因此正确答案为A。
1994 Passage 5 Discoveries in science and technology are thought by "untaught minds" to come in blinding flashes or as the result of dramatic accidents. Sir Alexander Fleming did not, as legend would have it, look at the mold on a piece of cheese and get the idea for penicillin there and then. He experimented with antibacterial substances for nine years before he made his discovery. Inventions and innovations almost always come out of laborious trial and error. Innovation is like soccer; even the best players miss the goal and have their shots blocked much more frequently than they score. The point is that the players who score most are the ones who take the most shots at the goal — and so it goes with innovation in any field of activity. The prime difference between innovators and others is one of approach. Everybody gets ideas, but innovators work consciously on theirs, and they follow them through until they prove practicable or otherwise. What ordinary people see as fanciful abstractions, professional innovators see as solid possibilities. "Creative thinking may mean simply the realization that there's no particular virtue in doing things the way they have always been done," wrote Rudolph Flesch, a language authority. This accounts for our reaction to seemingly simple innovations like plastic garbage bags and suitcases on wheels that make life more convenient: "How come nobody thought of that before?" The creative approach begins with the proposition that nothing is as it appears. Innovators will not accept that there is only one way to do anything. Faced with getting from A to B, the average person will automatically set out on the best-known and apparently simplest route. The innovator will search for alternate courses, which may prove easier in the long run and are bound to be more interesting and challenging even if they lead to dead ends. Highly creative individuals really do march to a different drummer. 67. What does the author probably mean by "untaught mind" in the first paragraph? [A] A person ignorant of the hard work involved in experimentation. [B] A citizen of a society that restricts personal creativity. [C] A person who has had no education. [D] An individual who often comes up with new ideas by accident. 68. According to the author, what distinguishes innovators from non-innovators? [A] The variety of ideas they have. [B] The intelligence they possess. [C] The way they deal with problems. [D] The way they present their findings. 69. The author quotes Rudolph Flesch in Paragraph 3 because ________. [A] Rudolph Flesch is the best-known expert in the study of human creativity [B] the quotation strengthens the assertion that creative individuals look for new ways of doing things [C] the reader is familiar with Rudolph Flesch's point of view [D] the quotation adds a new idea to the information previously presented
2014年考研英语（二）试题 Section I Use of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET. (10 points) 2.[A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome 3.[A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore 4.[A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example 5.[A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern 6.[A] in terms of[B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of 7.[A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies 8.[A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part 9.[A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward
10.[A] so [B] while [C] since [D] unless 11.[A] shape[B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste 12.[A] start [B] qualify [C] retire [D] stay 13.[A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal[D] constant 14.[A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency 15.[A] employed[B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored 16.[A] compared [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated 17.[A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only 18.[A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded 19.[A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies 20.[A] for [B] against [C] with [D] without Section II Reading Comprehension Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each tex t by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET. (40 poi nts) Text 1 What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84-year-old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin-roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new-found fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton. These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms Dunn and Mr Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time-as stories or memories-particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others. This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most "happiness bang for your buck." It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason