Ireland is the best place in the world to live for 2005,【B1】a life quality ranking that appeared in Britain's Economist magazine last week.
The ambitious【B2】to compare happiness levels around the world is based on the principle that wealth is not the only【B3】of human satisfaction and well-being. The index of 111 countries uses【B4】on incomes, health, unemployment, climate, political stability, job security equality between men and women as well as what the magazine calls 'freedom, family and community life'.
Despite the bad weather troubled health service, traffic problems, and the high cost of living, Ireland scored an impressive 8.33 points【B5】10. That put it well ahead of second-place Switzerland, which managed 8.07. Zimbabwe (津巴布韦), troubled by political insecurity and hunger, is rated the lowest,【B6】only 3.89 points.
'Although rising incomes and increased individual choices in developed countries are【B7】valued', the report said, 'some of the factors associated with【B8】such as the breakdown in traditional institutions and family values in part take away from a positive impact.
'Ireland wins because it successfully combines the most desirable elements of the new—the fourth highest gross domestic product per head in the world in 2005, low unemployment, political【B9】—with the preservation of certain warm elements of the old, such as【B10】family and community life'.
【B1】
A.following up
B.coming with
C.according to
D.except for