IELTS Speaking Part 3: What Makes People Happy?

We've been talking about a happy memory from your childhood.

我们刚才谈到了你童年时一段快乐的回忆。

Now I'd like to ask you some broader questions.

现在我想问你一些更宏观的问题。

Sure, that sounds great.

好的，没问题。

What do you think makes people genuinely happy?

你认为什么能让人真正感到幸福？

For me, it's relationships, far more than money or success.

对我来说，是人际关系，远比金钱或成功重要。

Long-term studies show that close friends predict happiness best.

长期研究表明，亲密的朋友最能预示一个人是否幸福。

The happiest people I know aren't rich, but they're rarely alone.

我认识的最幸福的人并不富有，但他们很少孤单。

That said, basic financial security obviously matters too.

话虽如此，基本的经济保障显然也很重要。

So does money buy happiness, in your view?

那么在你看来，金钱能买到幸福吗？

Ha, up to a point! It certainly buys a comfortable sofa.

哈，在一定程度上可以！至少能买一张舒服的沙发。

Beyond a certain income, though, the effect fades quickly.

不过，收入超过一定水平后，这种效果很快就会减弱。

Chasing more can actually leave people anxious and exhausted.

一味追求更多，反而会让人焦虑又疲惫。

Has social media made people less happy?

社交媒体让人们变得不那么幸福了吗？

In many ways, yes, because we constantly compare ourselves.

在很多方面是的，因为我们总是在和别人比较。

Everyone else's life looks like a permanent holiday!

别人的生活看起来都像在永远度假！

We see their highlights and compare them with our ordinary days.

我们看到的是别人的高光时刻，却拿来和自己平凡的日子比较。

So should we all delete our apps tomorrow?

那我们明天都该把应用删掉吗？

I'd love to, but my mum would never forgive me!

我倒是想，可我妈绝对不会原谅我的！

Honestly, using them mindfully is a more realistic goal.

说实话，有节制地使用才是更现实的目标。

Are people today happier than their grandparents were?

现在的人比他们的祖父母那一代更幸福吗？

Materially, we're far better off, without a doubt.

物质上，我们无疑过得好得多。

But my grandparents had something we've partly lost.

但我祖父母拥有一样我们已经部分失去的东西。

They knew every neighbour, and nobody ever ate alone.

他们认识每一位邻居，从来没有人独自吃饭。

Community gave them a sense of belonging we often lack.

社区给了他们一种我们常常缺少的归属感。

Finally, should governments try to measure happiness?

最后一个问题，政府应该尝试衡量幸福吗？

Absolutely! Bhutan already does, and it's a fascinating idea.

当然！Bhutan已经这么做了，这个想法非常有意思。

Growth figures alone tell us nothing about wellbeing.

光看增长数字，根本看不出人们过得好不好。

Thank you. That's the end of the speaking test.

谢谢。口语考试到此结束。

Oh, already? I was just starting to enjoy it!

哦，已经结束了？我才刚开始享受呢！

Well done. Thank you for your thoughtful answers.

表现得很好。谢谢你深思熟虑的回答。

Thank you so much! Have a great afternoon.

非常感谢！祝您下午愉快。