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It is extremely difficult to explain why something is funny. No one knows for sure why we laugh at
certain ideas and situations. However, research is begging to tell us more about how and why humor
affect us.
Some psychologists say that people laugh because of the element of surprise in humor. When the
audience hears the funny part at the end of a joke, the "punch line", they experience a familiar idea in
a new, humorous way. These psychologists say that a joke or a situation is funny because two ideas
do not match. This is called incongruity. There can be a mismatch, or incongruity, between characters
in a joke or story. There might also be a mismatch between what happens in a funny situation and
what usually happen in "real life". On some level, when ideas that don't match are put together, this
surprises us and causes us to laugh.
According to other researchers, humor can make people believe that they are better than other
people. If we see ourselves as superior, we will feel better. This kind of humor is good if it doesn't hurt
another person. Jokes about certain types of people make a person feel superior.
Ultimately, scientists cannot yet explain why something is
funny because it comes from deep inside of us. One thing
they are sure of is that laughter in essential for keeping us
healthy. As one wise old woman once said, "A good laugh a
day keeps the doctor away."
(Adapted from NorthStar: Building skills for TOEFL IBT. BEAUMONT, John.)
Comprehension
1. What is the theme of the text?
a. The adventures of Calvin and Hobbes.
b. The causes of laughing.
c. To explain why people laugh.
d. The psychologists researches about the humor.
e. To advice about the problems caused by laughing.
2. According to the text, whats a punch line?
a. A punch line is what scientist can explain.
b. This is a part at the begging of the joke.
c. It is the part, in the end of the joke, which makes people laugh.
d. It is what always hides prejudice against women.
e. The main topic of a speech.
a. Following the previously instructions, do you remember of watching this scene? When?
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4. As youve done on Edmodo, write again about The Big Bang Theory. Why do you think it
was funny?
Steps:
Think of a scene that you enjoyed.
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5. Sheldon says that comics are feeble attempts at humor featuring talking babies and
anthropomorphized pets. Analyzing this comic strip, do you agree with him?
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