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
入党党员思想汇报范文1500字:党员个人思想汇报范文1500字11-17
2018上半年辽宁公共英语考试时间已公布【各级别】05-16
[安兴中学2021春季田径运动会]中学春季田径运动会实施方案01-18
[2016年北京市中医住院医师规范化培训结业考核试卷]2016年北京市中医住院医师规范化培训招录笔试时间06-21
哄小朋友短篇童话故事大全12-01
申请英国留学贷款攻略01-21
高三年级高考励志动员大会,高考励志高三年级宣言誓言05-02
2019最新垃圾分类宣传口号03-17