Unicorn
Opening the Mind | Warm-Up Questions
Read each question carefully. Answer in complete sentences
What activities or experiences bring you the greatest sense of happiness?
Does the weather influence your mood or energy level? Explain your experience.
In your opinion, what makes a country a happy place to live?
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Snapshot of Reality | Situational Lens
Read the situation once. Imagine you are the student. Pay attention to your instinctive reaction
You are attending an international well-being conference where participants discuss what contributes to happiness in different cultures. During a panel discussion, everyone shares the activities that improve their emotional well-being, explains whether seasonal weather changes influence their mood, and reflects on why some countries consistently report higher levels of life satisfaction than others. You want to contribute thoughtful ideas while respecting the diversity of personal experiences and cultural perspectives.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Language of Nuance | Vocabulary & Expressions
Read each item carefully. Say it aloud once. Then write one paragraph using at least four of the expressions
Fulfillment – the feeling of satisfaction that comes from achieving meaningful goals or living according to one's values
Sentence: Volunteering gave her a deep sense of fulfillment beyond professional success.Resilience – the ability to recover and adapt after difficulties or setbacks
Sentence: Emotional resilience helped him remain optimistic during challenging times.Contentment – a peaceful feeling of satisfaction with one's life or current situation
Sentence: She found contentment in maintaining close relationships and a balanced lifestyle.Perspective – a particular way of understanding or viewing situations
Sentence: Travelling abroad broadened his perspective on happiness and success.Well-being – the state of being healthy, comfortable, and emotionally secure
Sentence: Regular exercise contributed significantly to her overall well-being.Optimism – the tendency to expect positive outcomes in the future
Sentence: His optimism encouraged the entire team during a demanding project.Gratitude – appreciation for the positive aspects of life or the kindness of others
Sentence: Practising gratitude helped her focus on what she already had rather than what she lacked.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
The Core Text | Reading
Read the article slowly. Focus on the writer’s argument and examples, not on speed.
Each year, Greenfield University invited students to participate in a project exploring the factors that influence happiness and emotional well-being. Instead of asking participants to pursue extraordinary achievements, the researchers encouraged them to observe their ordinary daily experiences over several weeks.
Students recorded moments that brought genuine fulfillment, such as meaningful conversations, physical activity, creative hobbies, or helping others. They also reflected on how weather conditions influenced their mood. While several participants reported feeling more energetic on bright, sunny days, others explained that rainy weather encouraged quiet reflection and peaceful relaxation. The project demonstrated that emotional responses to seasonal changes varied considerably from one individual to another.
The discussion later expanded to national well-being. Students examined why some countries consistently reported higher levels of life satisfaction. They discovered that happiness often depends on multiple factors, including supportive relationships, personal safety, access to education and healthcare, economic stability, and trust within communities. Financial success alone rarely explained the differences.
At the end of the project, many participants realized that lasting happiness was not a permanent emotional state but a pattern of healthy habits and thoughtful choices. Developing gratitude, maintaining optimism, and building emotional resilience proved more valuable than constantly pursuing short-term pleasure.
The experience encouraged students to adopt a broader perspective. They concluded that genuine well-being grows through meaningful relationships, purposeful living, and appreciation for the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Beneath the Surface | Discussion Questions
Choose two or three questions. Support your answers with examples, observations, or comparisons.
What factors contribute most to long-term happiness and well-being?
How can seasonal weather changes influence people's emotions and daily behaviour?
Why do you think some countries consistently report higher levels of happiness than others?
Can happiness exist during difficult periods of life? Why or why not?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Turning Inward | Reflection Questions
Answer honestly. Short answers are acceptable, but aim for clarity and insight.
What brings you the greatest sense of fulfillment in your daily life?
How do you usually respond when your mood is affected by stress or changing circumstances?
What habit could you develop to improve your emotional well-being over the next year?
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.
Precision Matters | G-Notes
Read the structures below.
1. Advanced Grammar Focus: "What + Clause" as a Noun Clause
What contributes most to lasting happiness differs from one person to another.
What many people discover is that gratitude often increases overall well-being.
Why this matters:
"What + clause" functions as a noun clause that can serve as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. This advanced structure is frequently used in academic writing, presentations, and formal discussions because it allows speakers to introduce complex ideas with clarity, cohesion, and sophistication.
© 2026 GreatMindsInternational online English. All Rights Reserved. GBS™ is a proprietary trademark of Giovanni L. Nerizon. Unauthorized duplication or distribution is strictly prohibited under PH and US Copyright Law.