[课本原文]
The Importance of Humour
Humour has been an essential part of human behaviour for thousands of years. There is comedy in the texts of Ancient Greece, and medieval writings are filled with jokes. [1] While these same jokes might not be as funny to us now as they were then, their authors understood that humour could not only entertain but also throw new light on sensitive or emotive issues.
Closer to modern times, someone who is remembered for his ability to combine humour with more serious messages is American writer,Mark Twain. Twain’s particular style of writing is funny and often mischievous. For example, in his classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, he famously says, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” But he is equally well known for his witty remarks in his everyday interactions with people. For instance, while on a lecturing tour of the United States, Twain went into a barber’s shop to get a haircut and a shave. The barber, not recognising him, asked if he had a ticket to the lecture. When Twain replied that he didn't,the barber told him that if he wanted to go to the event he would have to stand, as there were no seats left in the theatre. Twain’s response was, “That’s just my luck. I always have to stand when that fellow lectures!”
Like Twain, but on the other side of the world, Lin Yutang was soon to become famous for his unique brand of humour. A wellknown bilingual writer, Lin brought the concept of humour to modern Chinese literature. In 1924, he creatively borrowed “youmo” from Ancient Chinese as the translation for the English word “humour”. “Youmo” is still being used in this way today.
Lin’s quick wit helped make him famous as a master of humour. Once,having been invited to dinner at a university, he was put on the spot when the president suddenly asked him to give a speech. Thinking on his feet,Lin started to tell a story about a cruel Roman emperor who tried to feed a man to wild animals. First came a lion. The man whispered something in the lion’s ear, after which the lion shook its head and walked away unhappily. Then along came a tiger. Again, the man whispered in the tiger’s ear. The tiger looked shocked and hurried away. “What did you say to my animals?” said the emperor, astonished.“I told them they had to make a speech after eating me for dinner.” Lin’s audience roared with laughter. With this little joke, Lin was able to make people laugh, while gently telling off the president.
Both Twain and Lin understood that humour isn’t just about laughter, but is a way of life and a tool that can be used to illuminate the world. Lin even created an equation to explain this concept: Reality+Dreams+Humour=Wisdom. Living and working with others can sometimes be complicated, and humour makes this easier. Sharing jokes and laughing together can bring individuals and even communities together. Indeed, some may argue that our need for humour is almost as great as our need for water and air. In the words of Mark Twain, “Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing”.
11. According to the description in the second paragraph,which of the following best describes Mark Twain?
A.Humourous and stubborn. |
B.Arrogant and intelligent. |
C.Witty and humourous. |
D.Strong and tireless. |
12. Which of the following is TRUE according to Paragraph 3?
A.Lin Yutang likes Mark Twain very much. |
B.Lin Yutang is well known for his particular style of humour. |
C.Lin Yutang created the English word “humour”. |
D.Lin Yutang created the Chinese word “youmo”. |
13. Which of the following can be true of Lin Yutang?
A.He is creative and quickwitted. |
B.He was able to talk with animals. |
C.He borrowed many words from Ancient Chinese literature. |
D.He was respected by Mark Twain. |
14. Why did Mark Twain think “Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing”?
A.Humour was able to make people laugh. |
B.Humour separates people from their enemies. |
C.Humour is almost as great as our need for water and air. |
D.Humour helped him a lot when he wrote his novels. |