{"title":"Can Money Buy Happiness? — Modifying Comparatives","intro":"Explore how money affects happiness by comparing income, financial security, possessions, experiences, free time, and relationships. Practise using much, far, a little, and slightly to describe big and small differences.","level":"B1","blocks":[{"id":"b0","type":"warm_up","content":"Which picture best describes your mood today and why?","order":0,"warm_up_mode":"meme_grid","meme_items":[{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/fa/cd/a5/facda53f49176a18bc559bdfee28671f.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-039.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-032.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-001.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-030.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/5c/3e/0b/5c3e0b5e71a75339e794b46b9e419964.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"https://i.pinimg.com/736x/35/49/12/35491225bc98399fd8210576a5289b4e.jpg"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-012.png"},{"state_label":"","image_url":"/memes/meme-005.png"}]},{"id":"b1","type":"open_question","content":"

What can money make much easier in a person’s life?
Which usually makes people happier: possessions, experiences, or relationships? Why?
Is financial security more important than having a high income? Why or why not?

","order":1,"title":"What do you think?","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/abcb539a3e06468aa0daa0d91bc41700.png"],"image_source_urls":["https://freerangestock.com/sample/164053/family-walking-in-park-pointing-ahead-smiling.jpg"]},{"id":"b2","type":"theory","content":"**Meaning:** We use these modifiers to show how big or small a difference is between two things.\n- *much / far* = a big difference\n- *a little / slightly* = a small difference\n\n**Form:**

much / far / a little / slightly + comparative adjective or adverb

much happier
far more expensive
a little less stressful
slightly better

\n\n**Examples:**

Financial security is much more important than expensive possessions.
Experiences can make people far happier than buying new things.
Leo earns a little less than Maria.
Maria feels slightly less stressed after reducing her working hours.

\n\n**Common mistake:**

Money makes life ~~more easier~~ much easier.
Experiences are ~~far good~~ far better for happiness.
Maria is ~~slightly more happier~~ slightly happier now.

\n\n**Important:**

Much and far often have a similar meaning.
A little and slightly also often have a similar meaning.

The context must show whether the difference is big or small.

","order":2,"title":"Making comparisons with much, far, a little, slightly","image_type":"grammar_explainer","images":[],"image_source_urls":["https://test-english.com/staging11/wp-content/uploads/Modifying-comparatives_B2-grammar-chart.png"]},{"id":"b3","type":"vocabulary","content":"income — money you earn from work or investments\nafford — have enough money to buy or do something\nfinancial security — having enough money to cover your needs and feel financially safe\nfree time — time when you are not working\npossessions — things you own\nexperiences — events or activities you take part in\nrelationships — connections with family, friends, and partners\nquality of life — the level of comfort, health, and happiness in a person’s life\nstress — mental or emotional pressure\nwell-being — the state of feeling healthy, comfortable, and happy","order":4,"title":"Key vocabulary"},{"id":"b4","type":"media","content":"

","order":3,"title":"Watch the video","media_type":"video","search_queries":["comparatives with much far a little slightly","much far a little slightly comparative examples movies clips","comparative modifiers real conversation examples"],"purpose":"usage_example","target_concept":"Comparatives with much, far, a little, slightly","url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtrV3CaPBD8","images":["http://212.192.217.37/vi/QJHhBTDZixc/3.jpg"],"media_purpose":"usage_example"},{"id":"b5","type":"reading","content":"

Maria and Leo have similar jobs, but they spend their money very differently. Maria earns a high income and enjoys buying new possessions. Her apartment is far more comfortable than it was a few years ago, and she feels much more financially secure. However, she often works late and has much less free time than Leo.

Leo earns a little less than Maria, so he cannot afford as many expensive things. Instead, he spends more of his money on experiences, such as travelling, concerts, and dinners with friends. He believes that good relationships are far more valuable for happiness than owning a lot of things.

Recently, Maria decided to buy fewer possessions and spend more time with people she cares about. She now has slightly more free time and feels a little less stressed. She still thinks money is important because it provides financial security, but she no longer believes that a much higher income always leads to a much better quality of life.

\n\nQuestions on the text:\n1. What advantages does Maria get from her high income?\n2. Why does Leo prefer spending money on experiences?\n3. How have Maria’s priorities changed?","order":5,"title":"What Really Makes Us Happy?"},{"id":"b10","type":"open_question","content":"

Imagine you receive an extra €500 every month. You can choose only one option:

save it for greater financial security;
spend it on possessions;
spend it on experiences;
work fewer hours and have more free time.

Choose one option and explain your decision. Compare it with at least two other options. Use at least 3 comparative modifiers from the lesson.

Useful phrases:

This option would make me much happier than...
Financial security would be far more important to me than...
I would have slightly more...
This choice might be a little less practical, but...

","order":6,"title":"What Would Make You Happier?","image_type":"visual_support","images":["https://img.skiloria.ru/dX0EIUK3ZekfleOf6J0TprCVcbSA-rv3CNs0qLuKono/resize:fit:1200:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9ibG9ncy5yZWFkaW5nLmFjLnVrL2NhcmVlcnMvZmlsZXMvMjAyNC8wOC9wZXhlbHMtc29yYS1zaGltYXpha2ktNTY2ODg1OC02NjB4NDQwLmpwZw"],"image_source_urls":["https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/careers/files/2024/08/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-660x440.jpg"]},{"id":"b6","type":"multiple_choice","content":"Choose the correct option.","order":7,"title":"Quick check","questions":[{"content":"Having enough money makes daily life ___ easier.","options":["much","more","much more","far easier"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Experiences can make people ___ than possessions.","options":["far happier","far happy","more happier","much happy"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Maria feels ___ stressed after working fewer hours.","options":["slightly less","slightly fewer","a little least","much less than"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Leo’s income is ___ lower than Maria’s.","options":["slightly more lower","far lower than","a little more","a little"],"correct_answer":3},{"content":"Good relationships may be ___ valuable than expensive possessions.","options":["much","much more","far valuable","more much"],"correct_answer":1}]},{"id":"b7","type":"fill_gap","content":"Complete each sentence using the words in brackets. Do not change their order.\n1. Having enough money makes everyday life ___ . (much / easy)\n2. Experiences can be ___ than possessions. (far / meaningful)\n3. Maria feels ___ now that she works fewer hours. (slightly / stressed)\n4. Leo has ___ than Maria. (a little / financial security)\n5. Good relationships can make people ___ than expensive things. (much / happy)","order":8,"title":"Complete the sentences","options":["much easier","far more meaningful","slightly less stressed","a little less financial security","a little less financial security"],"correct_answer":"much easier ... far more meaningful ... slightly less stressed ... a little less financial security ... a little less financial security","gap_answers":[{"index":1,"answer":"much easier"},{"index":2,"answer":"far more meaningful"},{"index":3,"answer":"slightly less stressed"},{"index":4,"answer":"a little less financial security"},{"index":5,"answer":"a little less financial security"}]},{"id":"b9","type":"open_question","content":"

Compare the things below and explain which are more important for your happiness.

financial security vs. a high income
possessions vs. experiences
free time vs. more money
relationships vs. career success

Use much, far, a little, and slightly in your comparisons.
Useful phrases

For me, ___ is much more important than ___.
___ makes me far happier than ___.
I think ___ is slightly more valuable because...
___ gives me a little more...

","order":9,"title":"Compare your priorities","image_type":"visual_support","images":["https://img.skiloria.ru/KMlx1veBUzMeiLad6o1Ylg3fQ8ad-y3WQZwHABgtwPo/resize:fit:1200:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWFnZWlvLmZvcmJlcy5jb20vc3BlY2lhbHMtaW1hZ2VzL2ltYWdlc2VydmUvNjQ2YjA5YzU2ZmZhNDFiZWMxYTJlMjM3LzB4MC5qcGc_Zm9ybWF0PWpwZyZoZWlnaHQ9OTAwJndpZHRoPTE2MDAmZml0PWJvdW5kcw"],"image_source_urls":["https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/646b09c56ffa41bec1a2e237/0x0.jpg?format=jpg&height=900&width=1600&fit=bounds"]},{"id":"b8","type":"multiple_choice","content":"Select the correct modifier to complete each sentence.","order":10,"title":"Choose the Best Modifier","questions":[{"content":"Anna earns €3,000 a month. Ben earns €3,100. Ben’s income is ___ higher than Anna’s.","options":["much","slightly","far","much more"],"correct_answer":1},{"content":"The first holiday cost €500. The second holiday cost €2,500. The second holiday was ___ more expensive.","options":["slightly","a little","far","slightly more"],"correct_answer":2},{"content":"Maria worked 50 hours a week before. Now she works 48 hours. Her working week is ___ shorter.","options":["far","slightly","a little","much"],"correct_answer":2},{"content":"This smartphone is ___ cheaper than that one — only ten dollars difference.","options":["a little","much","much more","far"],"correct_answer":0},{"content":"Leo used to have one free evening a week. Now he has five. He has ___ more free time.","options":["much","a little","far","slightly"],"correct_answer":0}]},{"id":"b11","type":"homework","content":"

Write 80–120 words answering the question: Can money buy happiness?

Compare at least three of these: financial security; possessions; experiences; free time; relationships; quality of life.

Useful phrases

Money can make life much easier because...
Financial security is far more important than...
Experiences may make people a little happier than...
Possessions can improve quality of life slightly, but...

","order":11,"title":"Homework","image_type":"visual_support","images":["/media/d5bf39d67f3c4b4bb648b1663615be7b.jpeg"],"image_source_urls":["https://live.staticflickr.com/2416/1810473578_c9531aa951_b.jpg"]}]}