What's so funny? (Reading)

What's so funny? (Reading)

Let's read.

Exercise A

Read the quotation below. What does this person mean? Do you agree with him? Discuss with a partner.

"You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it"

Bill Cosby

Exercise B

Read the article. Then answer the questions below with a partner.

Question 01

How can humor be used to make people feel better after a loss?

Question 02

How does humor help people feel more comfortable with each other?

Question 03

What is the relationship between humor and stress?

Exercise C

Match each situation with one of the paragraphs (A-D) from the reading based on the topic. Not all paragraphs are used.

Multiple Choice

You have been studying for an important examination. Passing will help you get your dream job. You haven't slept well in recent weeks and are often irritable. Your friend hasn't seen you in a long time, so he/she stops by your place to cheer you up.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

You are on a crowded elevator when it suddenly stops between floors and won't move. Someone calls for help, but in the meantime you are all waiting. The passenger standing next to you makes eye contact briefly. He mentions a movie where the same thing happens.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

You are in the hospital recovering from a serious car accident. You have had several surgeries and will be missing at least one month of work. You are in a lot of pain and are unable to do things without the help of a nurse or your family. A relative comes to visit you and tells you a funny story about the last time she was in the hospital.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Your home and neighborhood have been completely destroyed in a flood. You have lost most of your belongings, but your family is safe. You are temporarily staying in a government shelter. A former neighbor sees you in the shelter and comes over to talk. He jokes that he has been meaning to renovate his house for years and it looks like now he'll have a real reason to.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Writing: A persuasive essay.

Read the information about the Ridiculam Prize and explain to a partner what it is.

Exercise 02

Read the sample essay below. Then write your own persuasive essay of at least three paragraphs explaining why your nominee should win the Ridiculam Prize. Use a separate piece of paper.