Comedy and Psychology
Earlier this year I did a part-time comedy course. The class was taught by Ryan, a professional comedian.I had performed a show, which wasn’t originally meant to be a comedy. However, the audience laughed at my first joke, then continued to laugh throughout the routines that were meant to be serious. So it was the audience who told me I was funny, but I didn’ t understand why or how to control the comic (滑稽的) moments. So, I joined the course to learn.
“Turn off your editor that makes you say the right thing and remember how to be a child,” explained Ryan. “Don’t try to be clever. Don’t try too hard to be funny…and knowing all about the theory of humor is unlikely to help you much. Just behave in a silly way. That’s what people want to see on stage.”Ryan would help us loosen up by saying things like, “Wander around talking to others, but make sure that you’re the lowest status person here.”
I’ d say that understanding the psychology of humor has actually helped. Recently I came across the book Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse-Engineer the Mind. Its main idea is that any self-directed intelligent system will need to correct its own fault. There’s a risk that the occasional error will be made. If this was boring or burdensome, we’d be less willing to do it. However, evolution has made the process fun.
Here’s a joke in the book: Two fish are in a tank. One says to the other, “Do you know how to drive this thing?” It works on the principle that we have started to imagine one thing—that the tank is the typical container people keep fish in—and, just in time, the following words tell us that our first assumption was wrong—it’s a heavy vehicle. For correctly figuring out the error, we are rewarded with a pleasurable feeling. The joke is an efficient way of encouraging this natural reaction, and comedians have become experts in slightly touching this mental funny-bone in order to make us laugh.
Ryan was right when he said that knowing the theory of humor wouldn’t help us that much as a comedy.During one exercise in the course, four of us were told to perform an opera. Susan and Caroline sang earnestly on either side of the stage, and I brought Henry to the floor, where we wrestled (摔跤) each other like out-of-control teenagers. The rest of the group was in uncontrollable fits of laughter. As a performer, I’ ll never appreciate just why it seemed so funny. But the point is that I would never have written this on the paper. It was a joyous, found moment.
1.Why did the author attend the comedy course?
A.He wanted to see how the theories worked in practice.
B.He discovered he had some natural ability in comedy.
C.He worried about how other performers would find him.
D.He got unpleasant experiences when performing a comedy.
2.Ryan required the people on the comedy course to______.
A.copy their favorite performance
B.imagine other people’ s reactions
C.help themselves feel comfortable
D.behave in a more playful manner
3.What is the purpose of the joke mentioned in Paragraph 4?
A.To discuss what humor brings about exactly.
B.To give an example of another kind of humor.
C.To prove the point about psychology of humor.
D.To show why some people are funnier than others.
4.What view does the author put forward in the end?
A.Visual humor is what appeals to people most.
B.What people find funny is often unpredictable.
C.Theories explaining humor tend to be mistaken.
D.Learning comic skills proves to be a difficult task.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Comedy and Psychology
Earlier this year I did a part-time comedy course. The class was taught by Ryan, a professional comedian.I had performed a show, which wasn’t originally meant to be a comedy. However, the audience laughed at my first joke, then continued to laugh throughout the routines that were meant to be serious. So it was the audience who told me I was funny, but I didn’ t understand why or how to control the comic (滑稽的) moments. So, I joined the course to learn.
“Turn off your editor that makes you say the right thing and remember how to be a child,” explained Ryan. “Don’t try to be clever. Don’t try too hard to be funny…and knowing all about the theory of humor is unlikely to help you much. Just behave in a silly way. That’s what people want to see on stage.”Ryan would help us loosen up by saying things like, “Wander around talking to others, but make sure that you’re the lowest status person here.”
I’ d say that understanding the psychology of humor has actually helped. Recently I came across the book Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse-Engineer the Mind. Its main idea is that any self-directed intelligent system will need to correct its own fault. There’s a risk that the occasional error will be made. If this was boring or burdensome, we’d be less willing to do it. However, evolution has made the process fun.
Here’s a joke in the book: Two fish are in a tank. One says to the other, “Do you know how to drive this thing?” It works on the principle that we have started to imagine one thing—that the tank is the typical container people keep fish in—and, just in time, the following words tell us that our first assumption was wrong—it’s a heavy vehicle. For correctly figuring out the error, we are rewarded with a pleasurable feeling. The joke is an efficient way of encouraging this natural reaction, and comedians have become experts in slightly touching this mental funny-bone in order to make us laugh.
Ryan was right when he said that knowing the theory of humor wouldn’t help us that much as a comedy.During one exercise in the course, four of us were told to perform an opera. Susan and Caroline sang earnestly on either side of the stage, and I brought Henry to the floor, where we wrestled (摔跤) each other like out-of-control teenagers. The rest of the group was in uncontrollable fits of laughter. As a performer, I’ ll never appreciate just why it seemed so funny. But the point is that I would never have written this on the paper. It was a joyous, found moment.
1.Why did the author attend the comedy course?
A.He wanted to see how the theories worked in practice.
B.He discovered he had some natural ability in comedy.
C.He worried about how other performers would find him.
D.He got unpleasant experiences when performing a comedy.
2.Ryan required the people on the comedy course to______.
A.copy their favorite performance
B.imagine other people’ s reactions
C.help themselves feel comfortable
D.behave in a more playful manner
3.What is the purpose of the joke mentioned in Paragraph 4?
A.To discuss what humor brings about exactly.
B.To give an example of another kind of humor.
C.To prove the point about psychology of humor.
D.To show why some people are funnier than others.
4.What view does the author put forward in the end?
A.Visual humor is what appeals to people most.
B.What people find funny is often unpredictable.
C.Theories explaining humor tend to be mistaken.
D.Learning comic skills proves to be a difficult task.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Comedy and Psychology
Earlier this year I did a part-time comedy course. The class was taught by Ryan, a professional comedian.I had performed a show, which wasn’t originally meant to be a comedy. However, the audience laughed at my first joke, then continued to laugh throughout the routines that were meant to be serious. So it was the audience who told me I was funny, but I didn’ t understand why or how to control the comic (滑稽的) moments. So, I joined the course to learn.
“Turn off your editor that makes you say the right thing and remember how to be a child,” explained Ryan. “Don’t try to be clever. Don’t try too hard to be funny…and knowing all about the theory of humor is unlikely to help you much. Just behave in a silly way. That’s what people want to see on stage.”Ryan would help us loosen up by saying things like, “Wander around talking to others, but make sure that you’re the lowest status person here.”
I’ d say that understanding the psychology of humor has actually helped. Recently I came across the book Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse-Engineer the Mind. Its main idea is that any self-directed intelligent system will need to correct its own fault. There’s a risk that the occasional error will be made. If this was boring or burdensome, we’d be less willing to do it. However, evolution has made the process fun.
Here’s a joke in the book: Two fish are in a tank. One says to the other, “Do you know how to drive this thing?” It works on the principle that we have started to imagine one thing—that the tank is the typical container people keep fish in—and, just in time, the following words tell us that our first assumption was wrong—it’s a heavy vehicle. For correctly figuring out the error, we are rewarded with a pleasurable feeling. The joke is an efficient way of encouraging this natural reaction, and comedians have become experts in slightly touching this mental funny-bone in order to make us laugh.
Ryan was right when he said that knowing the theory of humor wouldn’t help us that much as a comedy.During one exercise in the course, four of us were told to perform an opera. Susan and Caroline sang earnestly on either side of the stage, and I brought Henry to the floor, where we wrestled (摔跤) each other like out-of-control teenagers. The rest of the group was in uncontrollable fits of laughter. As a performer, I’ ll never appreciate just why it seemed so funny. But the point is that I would never have written this on the paper. It was a joyous, found moment.
1.Why did the author attend the comedy course?
A. He wanted to see how the theories worked in practice.
B. He discovered he had some natural ability in comedy.
C. He worried about how other performers would find him.
D. He got unpleasant experiences when performing a comedy.
2.Ryan required the people on the comedy course to______.
A. copy their favorite performance
B. imagine other people’ s reactions
C. help themselves feel comfortable
D. behave in a more playful manner
3.What is the purpose of the joke mentioned in Paragraph 4?
A. To discuss what humor brings about exactly.
B. To give an example of another kind of humor.
C. To prove the point about psychology of humor.
D. To show why some people are funnier than others.
4.What view does the author put forward in the end?
A. Visual humor is what appeals to people most.
B. What people find funny is often unpredictable.
C. Theories explaining humor tend to be mistaken.
D. Learning comic skills proves to be a difficult task.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Did you get a flu shot this year？For the first time，the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US is recommending that all children aged from 6 months to 18 years receive the flu vaccine.
Vaccines battle diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.A weakened form of the germ (病菌) is introduced into the body.The body makes special substances called antibodies (抗体) to fight the germs.If the actual germs were to attack，the antibodies would fight.Because there are many kinds of flu viruses，scientists must create a new vaccine formula (处方) each year.Researchers must make a prediction.
It is like forecasting the weather.Sometimes they are right on，and sometimes they are off.But even when the vaccine does not closely match circulating flu types，it can make the illness less serious.
“The flu vaccine is not as effective as the polio (小儿麻痹症) vaccine or the measles vaccine，” says Dr.William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.“It’s not a great vaccine，but it is in fact quite a good vaccine.”
But a flu vaccine doesn’t work for everyone.There are certain people who should be careful about taking it，because the vaccine is produced in eggs.Those who are allergic (过敏的) to eggs should not take it.If you have a fever，you should wait until you recover.
Some people are afraid that they might get the flu from the flu shot.Scientists say that it is not possible，because the viruses in the flu shot are inactivated.But some minor side effects such as lowgrade fever and body ache could occur.If they do，they begin soon after the shot and usually last only one to two days.
Did you know？Smallpox was the first disease people tried to prevent by putting a virus into a healthy person.In 1796，English scientist Edward Jenner placed some infected material under a boy’s skin.
1.The underlined word “vaccine” (in Para.1) refers to________.
A．virus used for fighting against disease
B．antibody to fight the germs
C．formula to fight against disease
D．germ to be injected into the body
2.By saying “It’s not a great vaccine，but it is in fact quite a good vaccine.” (in Para.4)，William Schaffner means the flu vaccine________.
A．is as effective as the polio and the measles vaccines
B．is worse，compared with the polio and the measles vaccines
C．does help to make illness less serious
D．is quite good because it works for everyone
3.We can infer from the passage that________.
A．those who are not allergic to eggs can take the flu vaccine
B．not all the flu vaccines are effective for everyone
C．you should go to a doctor if you have a fever after taking the flu vaccine
D．it is possible that some people might get the flu from the flu shot
4.When people take the flu vaccine，________.
A．they’ll be allergic to eggs
B．their bodies will ache for 5 days
C．they probably have a low fever
D．they won’t catch a flu ever after
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Earlier this year，my oldest daughter got braces (牙箍) on her teeth，and let's just say she did not go quietly into that dentist's chair. Fear and hate pretty much describe the days leading up to her first appointment.
So when she finally walked out with shiny teeth，a sore mouth and a broken spirit, I told her I was proud of her and took her to Ben & Jerry's for an ice cream reward. Two weeks later, we returned to the scene of the crime.The dentist spent about 45 seconds checking her teeth before sending her on her merry way. Before I could start the car, she was placing her ice cream order. She was shocked when I told her that she wasn't going to get a reward every time we got her teeth checked.
Apparently，she's not alone. According to some parenting experts, kids are easily addicted(上瘾的)to a benefitproducing system of parental rewards and bribes(贿赂)—not all ice creams, candies and cool toys.Some parents are offering their children novel prizes just to let them sit down and behave in a restaurant—or sleep in their own beds—or score a goal in the next soccer game.
While the experts agree that occasional awards are okay，the danger lies in the system's overuse.Kids quickly gain a sense of entitlement(应得权益)，where they come to expect a big reward for every good thing that they do, no matter how small.To keep things in check，experts say parents should reduce the number of rewards they offer, make sure rewards match the behavior and explain the real benefits of behaving.
1.The intended readers of the passage are________.
A．children B．parents
C．doctors D．teachers
2.Misguided by the parental reward system，children easily believe________.
A．they should benefit from their every desired behavior
B．they can be successful as long as they work hard
C．their parents will give them more presents in the future
D．their parents will feel happy when they behave well
3.In the experts' opinion，parents________.
A．should provide their children with many luxurious things
B．shouldn't give their children too many rewards
C．should give their children more spiritual rewards
D．should tell their children the benefits of rewards
4.What would be the BEST title for the passage?
A．Do Parents Know How to Help Their Children Behave?
B．Is Your Child Afraid to Visit A Dentist?
C．Are Parents Rewarding Their Children Too Much?
D．Does Your Child Show Interest in Rewards?
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Earlier this year，my oldest daughter got braces(矫正器)on her teeth，and let’s just say she did not go quietly into that dentist’s chair．Fear and hate pretty much describe the days leading up to her first appointment．
So when she finally walked out with shiny teeth，a sore(疼痛的)mouth and a broken spirit，I told her I was proud of her and took her to Ben &Jerry’s for an ice cream reward．Two weeks later，we returned to the scene of the crime．The dentist spent about 45 seconds checking her teeth before sending her on her merry way．Before I could start the car, she was placing her ice cream order．She was shocked when I told her that she wasn't going to get a reward every time we get her teeth checked．
Clearly，she’s not alone．According to some parenting experts，kids are easily addicted to a benefit—producing system of parental rewards and bribes—it’s not all ice creams，candies and cool toys．Some parents are offering their children prizes to just let them sit down and behave in a restaurant—or sleep in their own beds—or score a goal in the next soccer game．
While the experts agree that occasional awards are okay, the danger lies in the system’s overuse．Kids quickly gain a sense of entitlement(应得的权利)，where they come to expect a big reward for every good thing that they do，no matter how small．To keep things in check，experts say parents should reduce the number of rewards they offer，make sure rewards match the behavior and explain the real benefits of behaving for the sake of behaving．
Have you used bribery or a reward system with your kids? Was it successful? Do your kids expect more because of that system?
1.The intended readers of the passage are_____．
A．children B．teachers C．doctors D．parents
2.What does the author mean by saying“the scene of the crime”?
A．He／she doubted whether the dentist was skilled．
B．He／she felt very sorry for his／her daughter’s illness．
C．His／her daughter suffered a lot from her illness．
D．His／her daughter had a bad feeling for the dentist’s．
3.Similar to the author's daughter，children__________．
A．are often troubled by bad teeth.
B．expect more reward from their parents．
C．are afraid to visit a dentist．
D．receive certain rewards when becoming i11．
4.Misguided by the parental reward system，children easily think_______．
A．their parents must be far richer than others’
B．they can be successful as long as they work hard．
C．they should benefit from their every desired behavior．
D．their parents will feel happy when they behave well．
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
A. Part-time café assistant: This role consists of 2—3 shifts a week. Must have bartender and waiting experience. Fluent English required. Our café seats 12 and we are open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, 7 days a week. We are also open for private dinners so some extra evening work is available.
B. We require an experienced and responsible driver over 25 years old with a full clean UK driving license to deliver goods in and around London. Applicants must have a full permit for working in UK. Working hours 7 a.m. ~3 p.m., Mon~Sat. Pay will be ￡250 per week. Please call Robin on 07932 818257 daily until 5p.m..
C. A school in South-East London (Bromley) is seeking a maths teacher. They require someone with sound knowledge of the UK Curriculum and a strength in classroom management. You must have a Maths Teaching Qualification.
D. Fun person required (20 yrs and over) who enjoys children and playing but can also be strict when required --- for a live-out nurse position looking after 3 boys aged 4, 7 and 9. Full time 7:30~6:15. Job includes housework, boys’ laundry and general ironing. ￡270~￡300 depending on experience. South Woodford, E18.
E. We are looking for qualified English teachers to fill daytime vacancies. The hours range from 15 to 30 per week. If you are an English native speaker, with teaching experience, live in West London, and can start immediately, please send us your CV now!
F. A private ambulance company in Yorkshire requires a minibus / ambulance driver. Either full time (08:30 to 17:00 Mon to Fri) or on a part-time basis. A full driving license is needed. Some medical background or a first aid certificate would be an advantage. Please email lee@procare999.co.uk.
请阅读以下应聘者的信息，然后匹配应聘者和他们要应聘的职位：
56. Lucia Granderson. Lucia was born in New Ireland and has just arrived in London to unite with her husband. She used to be a high school teacher in her home country and wants to find a job in England.
57. Terence Nagata. Terence is a university student who will complete a double-major Maths / CS soon. He loves children and has obtained a certificate in maths teaching.
58. Jeremy Lillian. Jeremy doesn’t have a permanent job but he is helping his aunt who has a clinic in the suburb. Jeremy sends his aunt to work in her car every day. He desires a part-time job so as to earn more.
59. Norma Smith. Norma was just graduated from a medical college and was seeking a job such as a nurse or something alike. She lives in London with her parents at present.
60. Ella Brown. Ella is studying in a university majoring in the language of English and she would like to find a job to gain more experience of life. She once worked in a cafeteria in the campus.
应聘者 应聘职位
56. Lucia Granderson A. Part-time café assistant
57. Terence Nagata B. An experienced and responsible driver
58. Jeremy Lillian C. A maths teacher
59. Norman D. A live-out nurse position
60. Ella Brown E. Qualified English teachers
F. A minibus / ambulance driver
高三英语信息匹配简单题查看答案及解析
Billy，a hard-working student，is fourteen years old and in the ninth grade．He has a part-time job that16 him up every morning at five o’clock，when most people are still17 asleep．He is a newspaper boy.
Each morning，Billy leaves the house at 5：15 to go to the18 where the newspapers always are．The newspapers were19 to the corner by truck at midnight．He always takes a wagon to20 them．
In the winter it is still dark21 he gets up every day，but during the rest of the year it is 22 ．Billy must send the newspapers to the houses of people on his23 in all kinds of weather．He tries to put each paper on the porch(门廊)where it will be24 from wind and rain or snow．Sometimes his customers give him tips，25 him very excited．
Billy earns about$70 per month through hard2 6 ，and he is saving some of the money to go to27 ，where he has always been longing to go．Besides that，he28 the rest of the earnings on records and clothes．Once a month，he has to collect the29 at night since many of them work during the day．That is when he is30 so that he is full of excitement．Luckily，he gets31 supported by his family．Sometimes，when Billy is sick，his brother offers to deliver the newspapers for him．Once，his father was too32 to help him,
Billy has seventy customers now，but he doesn’t feel33 about the number．
He dreams that he will get34 customers as possible some day．35 ，he might win a prize for being an outstanding newspaper boy．He wants to win a trip to Europe，but he will be happy if he wins a new bicycle.
1.A．were B．take C．gets D．pick
2.A．sound B．falling C．fall D．soundly
3.A．corner B．street C．room D．department
4.A．given B．addressed C．handed D．delivered
5.A．carry B．bring C．send D．load
6.A．at which B．while C．that D．when
7.A．short B．black C．1ight D．long
8.A．mad B．way C．route D．path
9.A．protected B．stopped C．kept D．prevented
10.A．making B．1etting C．1eading D．causing
11.A．attempt B．job C．work D．struggle
12.A．abroad B．school C．college D．hospital-
13.A．costs B．spends C．pays D．uses
14.A．paper B．money C．newspapers D．records
15.A．depressed B．energetic C．fulfilled D．moved
16.A．very B．great C．greatly D．a lot of
17.A．1ikely B．reluctant C．tired D．willing
18.A．satisfying B．pleasant C．contented D．happy
19.A．many more B．as much C．as many D．much more
20.A．If that B．If so C．Besides D．What’s more
高三英语完型填空简单题查看答案及解析
When did the man visit Yellowstone Park?
A. This year B. Last year. C. The year before last.
高三英语短对话中等难度题查看答案及解析
With the help of the high technology, this year the factory has produced ________ it did last year.
A．twice as many as B．twice as many cars as
C．twice as many as cars D．twice cars as many as
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Our city has experienced ___this year as it did last year.
A. twice as much rain B. rain twice as much
C. as twice much rain D. twice rain as much
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析