BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT


        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 humour, 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 government 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 humour. Certain comic stereotypes have a universal appeal.

        Humour helps us maintain a correct sense of values. If we can see the funny side, we never make the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously. The sense of humour 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 humour is uniquely human. If happiness is one of the great goals of life, then it is the sense of humour that provides the key.

 

  1. COMPREHENSION

     

    1. Answer these questions

       

      1. Give a title to the text.    
      2. What disturbs human relationships?   
      3. What is the function of humour in our lives?    
      4. What is the key for happiness?   

       

    2. Are these sentences True or False? JUSTIFY.

       

      1. To laugh is a common quality for all human beings.
         

         

      2. Being too serious is a mistake.
         

         

      3. The sense of humour is common for all creatures.
         

       

    3. What do the underlined words in the text refer to?

       

      1. "it" (paragraph 1)    
      2. "it" (paragraph 2)    
      3. "these" (paragraph 2)    

       

    4. Pick out from the text expressions or phrases which show that:

       

      1. Laughter is a human particularity   
      2. People do their best to be happy in life.   

     

  2. LANGUAGE

     

    1. Put the verbs between brackets in the correct tense.

       

      1. You needn't (tell)  us that joke. We already know it.
      2. The perfect listeners avoid (interrupt)   jokers.
      3. It's already 4 p.m. The comic show (end)   by the time we get back home.
      4. After they (study)   the case for years, they handed in a very detailed report.

       

    2. Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given

       

      1. People should use laughter as a coping mechanism for stress.
        - Laughter

         

      2. She forgot the ticket at home; so she couldn't see the comic film.
        - If only

         

      3. She asked them, "Why were you laughing at that poor old man?"
        - She wanted to know

       

    3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrasal verbs from the list.
           came across   -   turned down   -   put up   -   gave up   

       

      1. Adil didn't get the job. They him .
      2. The new teacher can't with those noisy pupils.

       

    4. Give the correct form of the words between brackets.

       

      1. They showed some (interesting)   in his new comic show.
      2. Unbelievable! An (audacity)   dog rescued a drowning cat.

     

  3. WRITING

            Youth nowadays complain about the lack of job opportunities. What could be done to help and empower them set up their own businesses and engage in self-employment projects? [in no more than 150 words]

 

 

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