We all know that it’s good to be kind to others. But what does that mean for us? What acts of kindness will make us happiest and who will benefit the most? A new review of kindness research provides some answers.

Researchers analyzed the results from 126 research articles looking at almost 200, 000 participants from around the world. The studies they chose all had to meet certain criteria, such as including only adults and reporting good statistical data. Some were experiments while others just surveyed people about how kind and happy they were. The studies measured well-being in many ways, including both mental and physical health.

As expected, people who were kind tended to have higher well-being. Although the relationship was not, stronger than it was, lead researcher Bryant Hui was still encouraged by the result. “Although the relationship is weaker, the effect still has a significant impact,” he says.

He and his colleagues considered when kindness might have a bigger impact on our well-being. One thing they found was that people who performed random, informal acts of kindness tended to be happier than people who performed more formal acts of kindness. It’s possible that informal helping may fill our more basic psychological needs for close relationships, which is why it could lead to greater happiness.

The researchers also found that people who were kind tended to have a higher sense of meaning and purpose in life. Perhaps this makes sense, given that being kind involves effort which makes people feel confident about themselves and their abilities. And that provides a sense of meaning.

【小题1】What is the text mainly about?

A．Act of kindness makes us happiest.	B．Being kind makes us healthy and happy.
C．Random acts of kindness are better than formal ones.	D．Doing act of kindness to others improves our abilities.

【小题2】How did the researchers get the finding?

A．By doing surveys.	B．By carrying out experiments.
C．By comparing research data.	D．By analyzing results of articles.

【小题3】Why does being kind give people a sense of meaning and purpose in life?

A．Because it makes people healthier.	B．Because it boosts close relationships.
C．Because it improves people’s confidence.	D．Because it promotes awareness of responsibility.

【小题4】Where is the text most likely from?

A．A diary.

B．A guide book.

C．A novel.

D．A magazine.