The British are known for their sense of humour. However, it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes. The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.
Understatement means saying less than you think or feel. For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, "It's a little damp(潮湿的)outside.”Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, "She isn't exactly friendly." Understatement is often used in unpleasant situation or to make another person look silly. Understatement plays an important part in British humour.
Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others. They often laugh about the silly and unpleasant things that happen to our everyday life when someone accidentally falls over in the street. They also like to make jokes about people from different classes of society. They like to make jokes about their accents, the way they dress and the way they behave. What's more, the British love to watch comedies about people who do not know how to behave in society. The comedy series Mr. Bean is a good example of this kind of humour. Mr. Bean is the character created by British actor Rowan Atkinson in 1990.
Mr. Bean doesn't talk often, and instead he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh. Perhaps what makes Mr. Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world cannot do. Mr. Bean is popular in many countries around the world because you do not have to speak English to understand the humour. Because of this, many people have become familiar with the British sense of humour.
1.Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand British jokes?
A. The British often enlarge the fact.
B. British jokes are connected with many different cultures.
C. The British try to make out that something is less important than it is.
D. British jokes are not as funny as jokes in other countries.
2.The author explains understatement by__________.
A. using examples B. making comparisons
C. following time order D. describing a process
3.Mr. Bean makes people laugh by__________.
A. telling funny stories B. making jokes about others' accents
C. copying how others behave D. using his body movements and facial expressions
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A. British Humour in Comedy B. Humour in Different Cultures
C. Developing Your Sense of Humour D. Understanding British Humour
Visit Chicago Children's Museum
In brief:
This museum offers plenty of fun hands-on activities for kids. However, this is one of the few Chicago museums not "fun for the whole family" as adults and older kids will be bored to tears.
Address: 700 East Grand Ave. (Navy Pier), Chicago
Phone: 312- 527-1000
Public transportation:
CTA bus lines # 29 (State Street ), #65 (Grand Avenue), and # 66( Chicago Avenue) all serve Navy Pier.
Parking fees:
· Monday through Thursday: $ 20
· Friday through Sunday: $ 24
· Holidays: $ 24
Opening hours:
· Weekdays: 10 am- 5 pm
· Weekends: 10 am- 8 pm
Entrance fees:
·Adults: $12
·Children: $12
·Seniors (65+): $11
·Children (under 5): free
Activities:
Located at one of Chicago's top tourist attractions, Navy Pier, the museum offers three floors of activities for kids, including:
·Play It Safe--all about home safety
·Inventing Lab--provides parts and instructions for creating things
·Kids Town--a playroom recreating a Chicago neighborhood where kids can pretend to do things like shopping for groceries and driving a CTA bus
·Climbing Schooner--a three-floor climbing building
·My Museum--kids get to create various pieces of art that are "all about me"
·Skyline--kids learn about skyscrapers and design their own buildings
·Tree House Trails--a play area designed like a forest
·Waterways--water activities showing how pumps and dams work
1.How much will John (10), his parents (40) and sister (6) pay if they drive to the museum at 2 pm on Monday?
A. $ 36. B. $48. C. $ 56. D. $ 68.
2.Kids who are fond of creating works of art should choose __________.
A. Play It Safe B. Inventing Lab C. My Museum D. Skyline
3.If you go to Kids Town, you can __________.
A. go on a short trip to a forest B. buy some gifts for your friends
C. know more about pumps and dams D. experience Chicago neighborhood life
4.What can we know about Chicago Children's Museum?
A. It is a three-floor building.
B. It is not fit for adults or older kids.
C. It is the most popular museum in Chicago.
D. It is one of Chicago's top tourist attractions.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What was the speaker like five years ago?
A. He didn’t like talking too much. B. He spent much time outside.
C. He rarely watched TV.
2.What made the speaker start exercising?
A. His terrible shape. B. His friend’s encouragement.
C. His poor health.
3.What did the speaker start doing a year and a half ago?
A. Swimming. B. Playing tennis. C. Climbing mountains.
4.What do we know about the speaker?
A. He is still out of shape. B. He has bad habits. C. He has changed a lot.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the man want to do?
A. Have a rest for a while. B. Book a room for two nights.
C. Have a seat in the hall.
2.What is happening while the two speakers are talking?
A. A man is checking out of the hotel. B. The porter is bringing in the man’s luggage.
C. The woman is helping at the check-out desk.
3.Which telephone can the man use?
A. The phone in the hall. B. The phone at the business center.
C. The phone on the woman’s desk.
4.What service does the man ask about at the end?
A. Free breakfast. B. Wake-up service. C. Do not disturb.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.When did the man live in the city?
A. Five years ago. B. Three years ago. C. Two years ago.
2.Why did the man go to the countryside?
A. He was always looking forward to the life there.
B. He failed in looking for a job in the city.
C. His company moved there.
3.How does the man feel about his present life?
A. Boring. B. Disappointing. C. Satisfying.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What has the boy been engaged in?
A. Preparing for exams. B. Writing an article. C. Preparing a report.
2.What will the boy do this evening?
A. Go to a party. B. Go on working. C. Watch a film.
