Question

The way we spend our time can be divided into three groups or jars (罐子). These would be the necessary tasks jar, the voluntary tasks jar and the happiness jar.

Every day, we spend time filling the necessary tasks jar. We fill this jar with useful things, like making money, doing housework, buying food and paying bills. We then fill another jar with voluntary tasks. These are things that we do for others, but we may not enjoy them. This jar is filled with tasks like taking children to activities and cooking family meals. Those jars are very important. If we don’t fill them each day, our family won’t run properly.

However, we often forget to fill the third jar? the happiness jar. This is the jar that we fill with activities that make us happy. Is your happiness jar sometimes empty at the end of the day? We all have days like that. Between doing all the necessary and voluntary tasks, time flies by on some days, and before we know it, it is time for bed.

That is why each day we try to fill our happiness jar. Most days, I fill mine by going to the ballroom dance (社交舞) class. Between the music, the dancing and the friendship among the students, I always leave classes happier than when I entered. Playing music is another way that I fill my happiness jar. This week, I was happy to take part in an orchestra (管弦乐队) practice at my church (教堂). A small group of us met to practice Christmas music for a church service. It was a time of fun, friendship and music making. At the end of the evening, my happiness jar was full.

Consider how your time is spent. Try to find ways to achieve a balance. At the end of the day, hopefully we’ve done all we can to make sure that our happiness jar is filled.

1.How many kinds of jars are mentioned in this passage?

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2.What will happen if we don’t fill the necessary tasks jar and the voluntary tasks jar?

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3.Why do we often forget to fill the third jar?

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4.How does the writer fill her happiness jar?

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5.Do you think it important to fill the happiness jar? Why or why not?

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Answer 1