
Lesson 29
Funny or not?
是否可笑?
Listen to the tape then answer the question below.
听录音,然后回答以下问题。
What is the basis of 'sick' humour?
Whether we find a joke funny or not largely depends on were we have been brought up. The sense of humour is mysteriously bound up with national characteristics. A Frenchman, for instance, might find it hard to laugh at a Russian joke. In the same way, a Russian might fail to see anything amusing in a joke which would make an Englishman laugh to tears.
Most funny stories are based on comic situations. In spite of national differences, certain funny situations have a universal appeal. No matter where you live, you would find it difficult not to laugh at, say, Charlie Chaplin's early films. However, a new type of humour, which stems largely from the U.S., has recently come into fashion. It is called 'sick humour'. Comedians base their jokes on tragic situation like violent death or serious accidents. Many people find this sort of joke distasteful The following example of 'sick humour' will enable you to judge for yourself.
A man who had broken his right leg was taken to hospital a few weeks before Christmas. From the moment he arrived there, he kept on pestering his doctor to tell him when he would be able to go home. He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. Though the doctors did his best, the patient's recovery was slow. On Christmas Day, the man still had his right leg in plaster. He spent a miserable day in bed thinking of all the fun he was missing. The following day, however, the doctor consoled him by telling him that his chances of being able to leave hospital in time for New Year celebrations were good. The good. The man took heart and, sure enough, on New Years' Eve he was able to hobble along to a party. To compensate for his unpleasant experiences in hospital, the man drank a little more than was good for him. In the process, he enjoyed himself thoroughly and kept telling everybody how much he hated hospitals. He was still mumbling something about hospitals at the end of the party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg.
New words and expressions 生词和短语
largely
adv. 在很大程度上
comic
adj. 喜剧的,可笑的
universal
adj. 普通的
comedian
n. 滑稽演员,喜剧演员
distasteful
adj. 讨厌的
pester
v. 一再要求,纠缠
dread
v. 惧怕
recovery
n. 康复
plaster
n. 熟石膏
console
v. 安慰,慰问
hobble
v. 瘸着腿走
compensate
v. 补偿
mumble
v. 喃喃而语
正在阅读:
新概念英语第三册听力材料Lesson29Funnyornot?03-01
2022年安徽普通高校分类考试和对口招生文化素质测试成绩查询入口(已开通)05-19
2016年内蒙古阿拉善中考生物真题及答案(Word版)05-27
工作总结与工作计划表格模板-学校关工委工作计划模板表格08-21
2022年浙江电子科技大学衢州实验学校拟录用人员名单公示07-19
童年趣事作文550字07-24
五年级叙事作文:放飞心情10-09
鸡皮疙瘩读后感400字五篇10-19
青海:补办护士执业资格考试合格证明考生信息审核表(点击下载)01-18
2019上半年浙江小学教师资格面试准考证打印入口:中国教育考试网11-07
新西兰留学申请期间的那些事10-04