考博英语阅读题目与讲解
Biologically, there is only one quality which distinguishes us from animals: the ability to laugh. In a universe which appears to be utterly devoid of humor, we enjoy this supreme luxury. And it is a luxury, for unlike any other bodily process, laughter does not seem to serve a biologically useful purpose. In a divided world, laughter is a unifying force. Human beings oppose each other on a great many issues. Nations may disagree about systems of govemment and human relations may be plagued by ideological factions and political camps, but we all share the ability to laugh. And laughter, in turn, depends on that most complex and subtle of all human qualities: a sense of humor. Certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal. This can best be seen from the world-wide popularity of Charlie Chaplin's early films. The little man at odds with society never fails to amuse no matter which country we come from. As that great commentator on human affairs, Dr. Samuel Johnson, once remarked, "Men have been wise in very different modes; but they have always laughed in the same way."
A sense of humor may take various forms and laughter may be anything from a refined tingle to an earth quaking roar, but the effect is always the same. Humor helps us to maintain a correct sense of values. It is the one quality which political fanatics appear to lack. If we can see the funny side, we never make the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously. We are always reminded that tragedy is not really far removed from comedy, so Ne never get a lop-sided view of things.
This is one of the chief functions of satire and irony. Human pain and suffering are so grim; we hover so often on the brink of war; political realities are usually enough to plunge is into total despair. In such circumstances, cartoons and satirical accounts of somber political events redress the balance. They take the wind out of pompous and arrogant politicians who have lost their sense of proportion. They enable us to see that many of our most profound actions are merely comic or absurd. We laugh when a great satirist like Swift writes about war in Gulliver's Travels. The Lilliputians and their neighbors attack each other because they can't agree which end to break an egg. We laugh because we meant to laugh; but we are meant to weep too. It is too powerful a weapon to be allowed to flourish in totalitarian regimes(极权主义政治制度）.
The sense of humor must be singled out as man's most important quality because it is associated with laughter. And laughter, in turn, is associated with happiness. Courage,determination, initiative-these are qualities we share with other forms of life. But the sense of humor is uniquely human. If happiness is one of the great goals of life, then it is the sense of humor that provides the key.
1. The most important of all human qualities is_____
A. a sense of humor
B. a sense of satire
C.a sense of laughter
D. a sense of history
2. The author mentions about Charlie Chaplin's early films because_
A. they can amuse people
B. human beings are different from animals
C. they show that certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal
D. they show that people have the same ability to laugh
3. One of the chief functions of irony and satire is ___.
A. to show absurdity of actions
B. to redress balance
C. to take the wind out of politicians
D.to show too much grimness in the world
4 . What do we learn from the sentence ( Line 9 , Para . 3 ) " is too powerful a weapon to allowed to flourish in totalitarian regimes?"
A. It can reveal the truth of political events with satire.
B. It can arouse people to riot.
C. It shows tragedy and comedy are related.
D、It can make people laugh.
5.Who is Swift?
A. A novelist. B. A poet.
C. A dramatist. D. An essayist.
本文话题
幽默感
答案及解析
1.【问题】人类所有素质中最重要的是：
A.幽默感。B.讽刺。C.微笑。
D.历史感。
【答案】A
【解析】文章开头就点题：there is only one quality which distinguishes us from animals the ability to laugh.此句意为：“人类区别动物的唯一特性就是能够笑。”文章后面的内容从不同角度阐述幽默感。故选A。
2.【问题】作者提到卓别林的早期电影因为：
A.这些电影能娱乐大众。
B.人类不同于动物。
C.这些电影显示出一定的戏剧模式广受欢迎。
D.这些电影显示出人们发笑的能力是一样的。
【答案】C
【解析】细节题中的例证题。原文在第1段：“...a sense of humor of certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal. This can best be seen from the world-wide popularity of Charlie Chaplin's early films.”这句话的逻辑关系就是因果，此句意为“某种喜剧形式的幽默感会对全世界都有吸引力。这一点在卓别林的早期电影中有很好的体现”。
3.【问题】讽刺主要功能之一是：
A.表现出行为的荒缪。
B.恢复平衡。
C.挫败政客们。
D.显示世界的严酷。
【答案】B
【解析】细节题。原文信息在第3段前三句。
4.【问题】从第3段最后一句话中可以知道什么？
A.它用讽刺的手法揭示政治事件的真相。
B.它可以挑动人们暴乱。
C.它表明悲剧和喜剧是相关联的。
D.它能使人发笑
【答案】A
【解析】该句意为：“讽刺是一种太过强大的武器，不容许在极权主义政治制度下发展壮大”
5.【问题】Swift是谁？
A.小说家。B.诗人。C.戏剧家。
D.散文家。
【答案】A
【解析】Swift是《格列佛游记》的作者。根据原文信息可知，在这本书中有小人国的人和他们的邻居的战争情节。因而这本书应该是小说。本题亦可通过常识解答。
