《2022年英语六级考试精读荟萃练习题100篇(37).docx》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《2022年英语六级考试精读荟萃练习题100篇(37).docx（4页珍藏版）》请在金锄头文库上搜索。
1、 2022年英语六级考试精读荟萃练习题100篇(37)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 se
2、rve a biologically useful purpose. In a divide world, laughter is a unifying force. Human beings oppose each other on a great many issues. Nations may disagree about systems of government and human relations may be plagued by ideological factions and political camps, but we all share the ability to
3、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 Chaplins early films. The little man at odds with society never fails to a
4、muse 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 tingl
5、e 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 t
6、ragedy is not really far removed from comedy, so we 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 us into total despair. In suc
7、h 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
8、a great satirist like Swift writes about war in Gullivers Travels. The Lilliputians and their neighbors attack each other because they cant 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.The sen
9、se of humor must be singled out as mans 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
10、 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 isA 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 Chaplins early films becauseA they can amuse p
11、eople.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 isA to show absurdity of actions.B to redress balance.C to take the wind out of
12、politicians.D to show too much grimness in the world.4. What do we learn from the sentence it is too powerful a weapon to be 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.
