5. Think of constituents of a lifestyle and fill in the spider graph below. Share your ideas with the class. Constituents of the lifestyle

6. Summarize your understanding of the lifestyle concept in writing (60 words).

Words to remember

to achieve (v.) – достигать (цель)

trend (n.) – тенденция, общее направление

to bode well (ill) for smb. / smth. (v.) – предвещать что-л. хорошее (плохое) кому-то

spiritual enrichment (n.) – духовное обогащение

majority (n.) – большинство

blend (n.) – смесь

chief executive (n.) – главный управляющий директор, президент (корпорации)

to cope with smth (v.) – справляться с чем-л.

uncertain economy (n.) – неустойчивая экономика

within one's grasp (phr.) – близко; в пределах достижимости рукой;  перен.  в чьих-либо возможностях; в чьей-либо власти

aspiration (n.) – стремление, сильное желание (к достижению чего-л.)

confident (adj.) – уверенный

to acquire (v.) – приобретать, овладевать

findings (n.) – полученные данные, сведения

ultimate (adj.) – основной; конечный

hopeful (adj.) – оптимистический; обнадёживающий

sweet spot (phr.) – зона наилучшего восприятия; “лакомый кусок”

intangibles (n.) – нематериальные ценности

desire (n.) – (страстное) желание

flexible (adj.) – гибкий

flexibility (n.) – гибкость; приспособляемость; свобода действий

goods (n.) – товар

quality (n.) – качество

participant (n.) – участник

entertainment (n.) – развлечение

Before you read

1. Making predictions. What do you think you will read about in the text “What’s the “good life” to you?” Write down three predictions:

1. General idea _________________________________________________________

2. Images _____________________________________________________________

3. Key words __________________________________________________________

2. Read the text to compare American ideas of good life with yours expressed in pre-reading exercise. How different are they? Discuss the differences with your partner. What’s the “Good Life” to You?

Does living the “good life” mean a vacation home? A second car? Or a shorter workweek to spend more time with our families? A new report finds most Americans remain optimistic about achieving what we consider the good life, a trend that bodes well for the economy and consumer marketers.

Americans want it all. We want a house, a car and a home entertainment center. But we also want good health, spiritual enrichment and an interesting job. What does it take to live the good life? In a recent study, New York research firm has found that a majority of Americans want “a blend of quality of life and goods and services,” says chief executive Ed Keller.

Even while coping with job worries and an uncertain economy, a majority of Americans believe the good life is within their grasp, an optimism that bodes well for the economy and marketers trying to get people to buy their goods and services, he says. “Our aspirations remain high,” says Keller. “As people get more confident about their jobs, they’ll try to acquire the aspects of the good life they don’t have.” The current findings are taken from in-person interview of more than 2,000 American adults over 18.

Owing a home may be the ultimate sign of the good life for 89 percent of participants, but “good health” at No.2 is where it’s at for 87 percent of Americans.

For 81 percent, “a happy marriage” is more a sign of the good life than owing a car which came fourth-place at 78 percent.

Job worries may be high and the economy is still uncertain, but Americans are still hopeful that they can acquire the aspects of a good life they don’t already have, such as a vacation home (the desire of 48 percent of participants), a home computer (45 percent). But spiritual enrichment is more important than either of those material possessions for more than half of Americans.

An estimated 59 percent think the good life is a college education for their children. For 39 percent, a home entertainment center is the sweet spot. “People do want the things that money can buy, but in general they’re placing an increasing importance on relationships and the intangibles, helping make time with the family that’s more enjoyable and more fun.”

More free time. At a time when many Americans are working more than 40 hours a week – the ones lucky enough to have a job, that is – 66 percent said they’d like to have more time. The desire for a more flexible work schedule, or a 4-day week, is also on the rise. In 2006, 34 percent of Americans would like to have a 4-day workweek, compared with 30 percent in 1996. It’s not about working less, but about having more flexibility, says Keller.