Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying “no,” criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it’s the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialogue may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.

Humor is often the best way to keep a small misunderstanding from escalating into a big deal. Recently a neighbor of mine had a squabble with his wife as she drove him to the airport. Airborne, he felt miserable, and he knew she did, too. Two hours after she returned home, she received a long-distance phone call. “Person-to-person for Mrs. I. A. Pologize,” intoned the operator. “That’s spelled ‘P’ as in…” In a twinkling, the whole day changed from grim to lovely at both ends of the wire.

An English hostess with a quick wit was giving a formal dinner for eight distinguished guests whom she hoped to enlist in a major charity drive. Austerity（节俭）was a fashion in England at the time, and she had asked her children to serve the meal. She knew that anything could happen—and it did, just as her son, with the studied concentration of a tightrope walker, brought in a large roast turkey. He successfully elbowed the swinging dining-room door, but the backswing threw the bird onto the dining-room floor.

The boy stood rooted: guests stared at their plates. Moving only her head the hostess smiled at her son,” No harm, Daniel,” she said. “Just pick him up and take him back to the kitchen”… she enunciated clearly so he would think about what she was saying… “and bring in the other one.”

A wink and a one-liner instantly changed the dinner from a red-faced embarrassment to a conspiracy of fun.

1.What is the main idea of the passage?

A.Humor is the key to success in our work and our lives.

B.Humor enables us to cope with difficult situation effectively.

C.Humor is the only best way to criticize someone without losing his face.

D.Humor makes fun of any difficult situations.

2.Which of the following is NOT stated in the passage?

A.Comedians on TV are believed to have done a lot in making people more tolerant of racial and religious differences.

B.To make up differences, humor is a most acceptable as well as a most effective means.

C.People often turn to humorous ways when meeting with difficult situations because of its effectiveness.

D.Only by adopting the means of humor can one succeed in some jobs.

3.By saying “and bring in the other one,” the hostess meant that_________.

A.the son had to cook another turkey for the guests

B.she already had made more than one turkey ready for the dinner

C.some other dish would be served instead of a turkey

D.the son could serve the same turkey after it was cleaned

Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying “no,” criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it’s the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialogue may start a quarrel. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance than people in any other forum.
Humor is often the best way to keep a small misunderstanding from escalating into a big deal. Recently a neighbor of mine had a squabble with his wife as she drove him to the airport. Airborne, he felt miserable, and he knew she did, too. Two hours after she returned home, she received a long-distance phone call. “Person-to-person for Mrs. I. A. Pologize,” intoned the operator. “That’s spelled ‘P’ as in…” In a twinkling, the whole day changed from grim to lovely at both ends of the wire.
An English hostess with a quick wit was giving a formal dinner for eight distinguished guests whom she hoped to enlist in a major charity drive. Austerity（节俭）was a fashion in England at the time, and she had asked her children to serve the meal. She knew that anything could happen—and it did, just as her son, with the studied concentration of a tightrope walker, brought in a large roast turkey. He successfully elbowed the swinging dining-room door, but the backswing threw the bird onto the dining-room floor.
The boy stood rooted: guests stared at their plates. Moving only her head the hostess smiled at her son,” No harm, Daniel,” she said. “Just pick him up and take him back to the kitchen”… she enunciated clearly so he would think about what she was saying… “and bring in the other one.”
A wink and a one-liner instantly changed the dinner from a red-faced embarrassment to a conspiracy of fun.

1. 1.

   What is the main idea of the passage?

   1. A.
      Humor is the key to success in our work and our lives.
   2. B.
      Humor enables us to cope with difficult situation effectively.
   3. C.
      Humor is the only best way to criticize someone without losing his face.
   4. D.
      Humor makes fun of any difficult situations.
2. 2.

   Which of the following is NOT stated in the passage?

   1. A.
      Comedians on TV are believed to have done a lot in making people more tolerant of racial and religious differences.
   2. B.
      To make up differences, humor is a most acceptable as well as a most effective means.
   3. C.
      People often turn to humorous ways when meeting with difficult situations because of its effectiveness.
   4. D.
      Only by adopting the means of humor can one succeed in some jobs.
3. 3.

   By saying “and bring in the other one,” the hostess meant that_________.

   1. A.
      the son had to cook another turkey for the guests
   2. B.
      she already had made more than one turkey ready for the dinner
   3. C.
      some other dish would be served instead of a turkey
   4. D.
      the son could serve the same turkey after it was cleaned

Mother’s Day is coming. It is a time to let Mom know she’s special to you. Finding the right for Mom on that day is not always easy. We often want something personal and thoughtful. But how can we make it? These following ideas may help you.
Gift of Time
Moms just want to spend time with their children so make it a Mother-Daughter/Son day. Spend the whole day with her. Do the things she likes doing with her.
Home Video
Take your family videos and make them a short home video. She can enjoy it whenever she misses you. Although it may take a lot of time, the process(过程) can be great fun and the result is often priceless(无价).
Mom Mix
Make a CD for her. It’s a collection of all the songs that remindher of you and your growing up.
Write a Letter
Write a letter instead of a simple card. Write about all the good memories you have with her and all the things she has done for you.
Flowers
People send carnations(康乃馨) on Mother’s Day. You can easily spend a lot of money on them. If you have flowers in your garden, or can handpick them, it can be a great gift.
Dinner
Make a dinner and invite her over. You can also take it over to her house and surprise her. Just don’t’ forget to wash the dishes after the dinner

1. 1.

   Why is it not easy to find a right gift on Mother’s day?

   1. A.
      Because we want to save money
   2. B.
      Because mothers don’t like gifts
   3. C.
      Because we always want to get something special
   4. D.
      Because mothers are very difficult to deal with
2. 2.

   Making a home video may be _______

   1. A.
      fun
   2. B.
      boring
   3. C.
      easy
   4. D.
      nothing
3. 3.

   What does the underlined word “remind” mean in Chinese?

   1. A.
      使……防范
   2. B.
      使……想起
   3. C.
      使……经过
   4. D.
      使….. 痛苦
4. 4.

   How many kinds of ideas have been mentioned here for Mother’s Day?

   1. A.
      4
   2. B.
      5
   3. C.
      6
   4. D.
      7
5. 5.

   From the passage we know _________

   1. A.
      you can buy a big cake for your mom on Mother’s day
   2. B.
      writing a letter is better than sending a simple card to your mom on Mother’s Day
   3. C.
      inviting your mom to eat in a restaurant is a good gift for her
   4. D.
      buying carnations for her is a good way