I always loved jokes and cartoons. They can be serious as they point out the silliness in our lives, convey a wise message of wisdom and at the same time bring a smile. Sometimes there is little difference between a joke and life wisdom.
I started collecting jokes I received from different sources over a period of some 25 years. For the book I chose for an “Anglo-Saxon” collection. They are typical for the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Where are they from? Who wrote them?
The language of humor is not universal and translating into another language mostly does not work.
While at a first sight the book may not be interesting to Chinese readers, due to the cultural differences,
| A．Different cultures have a different understanding of what is “funny” |
| B．Generally speaking, nobody knows the original source |
| C．they wonder why there are so many about the Westerners |
| D．Worse, they start asking a million questions of the why and what and how |
| E．Maybe life is just a big joke |
| F．Most Chinese are totally unfamiliar with the Western world of jokes, they are puzzled or even shocked |
| G．it is a nice tool for our friends to learn about typical Western humor |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Are you a happy person or an unhappy person?
If you’re an unhappy person, please remember that happiness is a choice.
Unhappy people are more likely to believe that life is hard. They see themselves as victims of life when something bad happens to them. Yes, as is known to all, life can be hard.
Unhappy people are more likely to believe that most people can't be trusted. They don't think strangers can be trusted. Unfortunately, this thought slowly starts to prevent them from meeting new people.
Unhappy people like comparing themselves with others and feel jealous.
Unhappy people consider their future with worry and fear.
Everyone will probably swim in negative waters once in a while, but what matters is how long you stay there. Follow the ways mentioned above and then you will be much happier.
| A．You can choose to be happy. |
| B．Unhappiness is also a choice. |
| C．There is only so much space between your ears. |
| D．They believe that someone else’s luck is stolen from their own. |
| E．You should try to be kind to others in order to make more friends. |
| F．But you should have a positive attitude towards life instead of complaining all the time. |
| G．Instead, you should believe in the good in people and stay open and friendly towards those you meet. |
【推荐2】When someone you care about has suffered a serious health event or is dealing with a life-threatening illness, it can be difficult to know what to say or do.
Offer your support. Your friend or loved one may be unwilling to ask for help, but it’s support from people like you that can make all the difference in their recovery. Offer to help with a specific task, even if it’s simply to sit with them during or after treatment.
Listen. When you talk to someone with a serious illness, it’s natural to feel awkward or not know what to say.
Stay connected.
| A．Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is to be there. |
| B．Your loved one is likely to experience some painful feelings. |
| C．All you need to do is to present your determined attitude. |
| D．Educate yourself about the illness but don’t give advice. |
| E．But often what really counts is to listen to the person. |
| F．Some illnesses can involve long-term treatment. |
| G．Encourage your loved one to keep calm. |
【推荐3】To be more grateful (感恩的) in life means that you are also allowing yourself to be happier and more satisfied with everything that has been going on around you. But with all the stress, all the disappointments and all the anxiety around you. I bet you ask yourself this question all the time: “How exactly can I be more grateful with my life?”
1. Learn to live in the moment.
Life is a wonderful adventure full of enriching experiences and endless possibilities. Don’t just go through the motions of (走过场) repetitive(重复乏味的) activities and boring tasks. No! Being a mindless zombie (行尸走肉) can make you more likely to take things for granted (对……不予重视).
You’re supposed to attend a conference? Absorb it. Babysit your niece? Enjoy the moment. Eat a 15-minute lunch? Taste each bite.
2.
Being aware of your goal to be more grateful can help you look for things to be really more grateful for. Gratitude is a conscious decision. You have to practice it consistently (持续的，始终如一地).
3.Control your thoughts.
Of course you have the power to control what you’re thinking of! Consider this exercise, for example: if you find yourself thinking more and more self-entitled (自我为中心), stop.
4. Always resist the temptation (诱惑) of comparing yourself with other people.
As humans, we have the natural tendency (倾向、偏好）to compare ourselves with others with the hope of attaining satisfaction. Actually, this kind of activity does not help you feel to be more grateful in life.
Don’t do it, please.
Every little thing counts. You have the ability to make yourself feel to be more grateful in your life.
| A．Appreciate what you had in the past |
| B．And if you find yourself repeating negative (消极的) junk, stop |
| C．It does the opposite |
| D．Egress gratitude all the time |
| E．Well, the following are some tips to help you with this particular concern (忧虑) |
| F．Instead of doing something just for the sake of (为了) doing it |
| G．Words that stress you and make you feel worthless should definitely be removed |
【推荐1】UK readers set a new record in translated fiction sales in 2018, with Chinese novels contributing to the boom.
Anna Holmwood, translator of A Hero Born, has worked a a literary agent, and has seen firsthand how Chinese titles continue to gain a greater audience worldwide, particularly in the English speaking world.
| A．It means taking more of a risk though |
| B．She sees it as a sign of the UK's market shifting |
| C．The record of sales in the UK comes from Chinese fiction |
| D．Chinese science-fiction and fantasy novels were sold strongly |
| E．Reading is the best way of putting themselves in others' shoes |
| F．Award-winning science fiction have been put into many languages |
| G．The Guardian highlighted the "extreme growth" in translated fiction sales |
by Helaia Fox
If you're looking for a moving story that explores themes of mental illness, grief (悲痛), and love, pick up a copy of How It Feels to Float and follow Biz as she comes of age. This moving novel will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Two Can Keep a Secret
by Karen M. MeManus
Put on your crime-solving cap and get swept away in this thriller about a girl, a boy, and a string of unsolved murders. As threats and clues pile up, you’ll be burning the midnight oil trying to finish the book before dawn.
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
by Julie C. Dao
The first book in the Rise of the Empress series takes the bones of a traditional fairy tale — a poor girl fated for power, an evil queen determined to stop her, love for someone who doesn't love back and magic — and gives them a richly imagined East Asian setting.
Dune
by Frank Herbert
If the Star Wars movies have made you fall in love with the space opera, eventually you're going to read Frank Herbert's most famous creation. The story of centuries-old political plotting — about warring factions (派系) battling over control of the extremely valuable planet Arrakis — is a classic and remains a wonderful introduction to the larger, more complex world of science fiction just beyond the Star Wars trilogies.
1. What is How It Feels to Float mainly about?| A．The murder of a teenage girl. |
| B．A girl's space adventures. |
| C．Challenges of growing up. |
| D．A poor girl with special powers. |
| A．A fairy tale. | B．A science-fiction story. |
| C．A love story. | D．A detective story. |
| A．How It Feels to Float | B．Two Can Keep a Secret |
| C．Forest of a thousand Lanterns | D．Dune |
【推荐3】Little boys don't like reading any more and even little girls don' t enjoy it as much as they once did: this is the accepted wisdom inside the book industry –and in many British families, too. Parents and booksellers tend to blame the growing appeal of online entertainment and handheld games, but research from the US is challenging these assumptions.
Michael Norris, an American publishing expert, will release findings in the monthly Book Publishing Report which show that, despite the best intentions, it is well-meaning mothers and fathers who often stop their sons and daughters from picking up the reading habit.
Parents have too much of a role in deciding which books their child is going to read," said Norris. It is turning children off. "
The results of a number of surveys Norris has carried out with hundreds of American booksellers over the past year have provided the basis for a series of tips for parents designed to help children find enjoyment in books.
One of his tips is to make sure children talk directly to a librarian or a book seller, while parents stand well back. Parents should allow children to choose their own reading material. Even if a mother or father is just standing with the child when the bookseller asks them what they like to read, we have found that the child will give an answer they think their parent wants to hear. It will not be the same answer they would give alone, said Norris.
Norris said, “What we have found is that parents should not worry whether a title looks too young or too old for a child. If it is children’s favorite book, then let them take it.” Children, added Norris, often enjoy reading books that are easy for then let them take it.” Children, added Norris, often enjoy reading books that are easy for them to understand. “My father made me read The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy when I was much too young, which, I think, was totally wrong, and I have never read another Clancy since,” said Norris.
1. What did Norris think prevents children from enjoying reading?| A．Children’s interest in handheld games |
| B．The declining market of the book industry |
| C．Parents’ influence on children’s book selection |
| D．The growing popularity of online entertainment |
| A．It is meaningless |
| B．It mainly focuses on British families |
| C．It is published to improve book sales |
| D．It is mainly carried out by Norris |
| A．Introduce new books regularly |
| B．Discuss popular books with their children |
| C．Let children choose books for themselves |
| D．Often seek expert advice from booksellers |
| A．It showed parents’ worries about kids |
| B．It made him love reading |
| C．It was quite necessary |
| D．It was totally wrong |
