What is happiness? In the United States and in many other industrialized countries, it is often equated with
money. Economists measure consumer confidence on the assumption that the resulting figure says something about progress and public welfare. The gross domestic product is routinely used as shorthand for the well-being of a
nation. But the small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has been trying a different idea. In 1972, concerned about the
problems afflicting other developing countries that focused only on economic growth, Bhutan’s newly crowned
leader, King Wangchuck, decided to make the gross national happiness a priority in his kingdom.
Bhutan, the king said, needed to ensure that prosperity was shared across society and that it was balanced
against preserving cultural traditions, protecting the environment, and maintaining a responsive government.
While household incomes in Bhutan remain among the world’s lowest, life expectancy increased by 19 years
from 1984 to 1998, jumping to 66 years. The country, which is preparing to shift to a constitution and an elected
government, requires that at least 60 percent of its lands remain forested, welcomes a limited stream of wealthy
tourists, and exports hydropower to India.
依上文回答 47 題至 50 題：
【題組】49 What do the people in the United States measure happiness with?
(A) Environmental protection.
(B) Life expectancy.
(C) Satisfaction with life.
(D) Wealth.
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