新编大学英语4课文原文doc.doc

(完整版)新编大学英语4课文原文doc
1] The joy of laughing at a funny story isuniversal， probably as old as language itself。 But， what is it that makes a story or a joke funny？
[2] As one who has enjoyed humor since I first recognized it, I've made an attempt to explain and discuss humor with students in such diverse cultures as Latin America and China。 I've done some serious thinking about funny stories。 It has been a labor of love［N］![3] Why is it that several students in a class will fall out of their chairs laughing after I tell a joke while the rest of the students look as if I’ve just read the weather report？［N］ Obviously some people are more sensitive to humor than others. And， we recognize that some people tell jokes very well while others struggle to say something funny。 We’ve all heard people say, "I like jokes， but I can’t tell one well, and I can never remember them。” Some people have a better sense of humor than others just as some people have more musical talent, mathematical talent, etc. than others。 A truly funny person has a joke for every occasion， and when one is told， that triggers an entire string of jokes from that person's memory bank.[N］ A humorless person is not likely to be the most popular person in a group. It is reasonable to say that the truly humorous individual is not only well liked， but is often the focus of attention in any gathering.[4] Even some animals have a sense of humor。 My wife's mother often visited us for extended stays.［N］ She normally didn't like dogs， but she fell in love withBlitzen[N]—a female Lab[N］ we had, and the relationship was mutual. Even when young， Blitzen would tease Grandma by very selectively carrying one of her bedroom slippers into the living room where Grandma sat in her favorite, comfortable chair。 Blitzen pranced just beyond the reach of Grandma until Grandma was tempted to leave her chair to get the slipper from Blitzen. When Grandma left her chair， Blitzen would quickly jump into the chair， flashing her Labsmile from sparkling brown eyes which clearly said, "Aha， I fooled you again。”
［5］ Typical jokes or humorous stories have a three-part anatomy that is easily recognized. First is the SETUP （or setting)， next is the BODY （or story line), and these are followed by the PUNCH LINE［N] (an unexpected or surprise ending） which will make the joke funny if it contains some humor. Usually all three parts are present, and each must be clearly presented［N]. It helps if the story/joke teller uses gestures and language which are well known to the audience。
[6］ Humor, as a form of entertainment, can be analyzed in order to discover what makes a funny story or joke seem funny。 Here, for example, are some of the most common types of humor. They range from the most obvious humor to the more subtle types。
[7] ”SLAP—STICK” is the most obvious humor. Its language is simple， direct， and often makes fun of another person or group。 Slap-stick was and is the technique of the stand—up comedian［N］ and the clown. It appeals to all ages and all cultures。 Nearly every English-speaking comedian in this century has used the following joke in one form or another。 One man asks another, ”Who was that lady I saw you with last night?” The other replies, "That was no lady, that was my wife.”The humor lies in the fact that the second man is saying that his wife is not a lady。In other words， she is not a refined woman。 The joke is no less funny because it is so often used. The audience knows in advance what will be said， because it is classic humor, and any audience values it even more because of its familiarity。
[8] Chinese "cross—talk” is a special type of slap—stick in which two Chinese comedians humorously discuss topics such as bureaucrats， family problems, or other personal topics. Cross-talk can be heard anywhere from small village stages to the largest Beijing theatres, and to radio and television。 It is clearly a traditional form of humor well understood by Chinese people。
［9］ A PLAY ON WORDS is not so obvious as slap—stick, but it is funny because of misused or misunderstood language. My favorite example is the story of three elderly gentlemen traveling by train in England. As the train slowed for a stop the first man asked, "Is this Wembley[N］？” ”No，” said the second, ”It’s Thursday。" "So am I,” said the third man。 "Let's stop for a beer。” We know that older people often do not hear things clearly, so the misunderstanding of both Wednesday （for Wembley) and thirsty （for Thursday) makes a nice setup for the punch line delivered by the third man。
［10] The famous Chinese cartoonist and humorist Ding Cong is a master of word play。 In one of his funny cartoons, a teacher says, ”How come［N］ you completely copied somebody else’s homework？” The young student replies, ”I didn’t completely copy it. My name on the page is different." In another classic Ding Cong cartoon， an irritated father asks, "Tell me， what’s one plus two？" The son says， ”I don't know." The impatient father then says， "For example， you， your mother， and I altogether are how many, you idiot？” The son proudly answers, ”Three idiots。” Whether these stories are cartoons or jokes， told by a slap-stickcomedian or a cross-talking team， they appeal to people everywhere as funny stories because they have a note[N] [N] of reality to them, and the unexpected punch line is quite funny.
[11] PUNS are even more subtle forms of word play。 They use the technique of similar sounding words or alternative meanings of the same word. Puns are thought by some critics to be the lowest form of humor, but I disagree with this。Puns require more subtle and sophisticated language skills than most humor forms， but even the very young can use them in their simpler forms. For example， the "riddle" or trick question often uses a pun in the setup, the story line， or, more often， the punch line。 Puns are the first type of humor I learned, and at about 5 years of age I remember hearing the following riddle。 One person asks, ”What is black and white and red all over?” The other person usually cannot answer the riddle, so says, "I give up. What is the answer？" The riddler replies， ”A newspaper."This is the obvious answer if one knows that ”red” is pronounced the same as "read” in English， but the meanings are clearly different。
[12] DOUBLE ENTENDRES (French for double meanings) are special variations of puns in which words or phrases have double meanings.Frequently the two meanings are very different, and one is quite proper while the second is often， but not always, vulgar。 I like the somewhat mild story of a school teacher and a principal of a high school who are concerned because some boys and girls have been seen kissing on the school playground。 The teacher says to the students, "The principal and I have decided to stop kissing on the school playground。" Hearing some laughter, she senses her message was not altogether clear, so she adds, "What I mean to say is that there will be no more kissing going on under our noses［N]。" This clarification， of course, does nothing to correct the first statement and the double meaning of the joke becomes even more laughable. 
［13］ Some professional humorists think too much of today’s humor is not very intelligent or sophisticated. They dislike the suggestive or vulgar language used too frequently, and they feel that most humorists are not very creative。 It is true that some of today's humor is rather shocking, but I don’t think humor is to be blamed[N] for that。 Humor is alive［N］ and well, and it will persist simply because there are funny things happening every day. Some humorous people see and hear these funny things and are able to make them into funny， entertaining jokes and stories。 (1,346 words)
On my first job as sports editor for the Montpelier (Ohio) LeaderEnterprise， I didn’t get a lot of fan mail， so I was intrigued by a letter that was dropped on my desk one morning. 
[2］ When I opened it, I read： "A nice piece of writing on the Tigers. Keep up the good work." It was signed by Don Wolfe, the sports editor. Because I was a teenager (being paid the grand total of 15 cents a column inch[N］), his words couldn't have been more inspiring。 ［N］ I kept the letter in my desk drawer until it got rag-eared。 Whenever I doubted I had the right stuff to be a writer[N]， I wouldreread Don’s note and feel confident again. 
［3] Later, when I got to know him, I learned that Don made a habit of [N]writing a quick， encouraging word［N］ to people in all walks of life。 ”When I make others feel good about themselves，” he told me, "I feel good too.”
［4］ Not surprisingly, he had a body of friends as big as nearby Lake Erie［N]。When he died last year at 75, the paper was flooded with calls and letters［N] from people who had been recipients of his spirit-lifting words。 
［5] Over the years， I’ve tried to copy the example of Don and other friends who care enough to write uplifting comments， because I think they are on to something important。 In a world too often cold and unresponsive， such notes bring warmth and reassurance。 We all need a boost from time to time， and a few lines of praise have been known to turn around a day［N], even a life. 
[6］ Why， then, are there so few upbeat note writers？ My guess is that many who shy away from the practice are too self—conscious[N]。 They’re afraid they’ll be misunderstood, sound sentimental or insincere. Also, writing takes time; it’s far easier to pick up the phone. 
［7] The drawback with phone calls, of course, is that they don't last。 A noteattaches[N] more importance to our well-wishing。 It is a matter of record[N］， and our words can be read more than once， savored and treasured. 
［8］ Even though note writing may take longer， some pretty busy people do it， including George Bush。 Some say he owes[N］ much of his success in politics to his ever—ready[N］ pen. How？ Throughout his career he has followed up virtuallyevery contact with a cordial response—a compliment, a line of praise or a nod of thanks。[N］ His notes go not only to friends and associates, but to casual acquaintances and total strangers—like the surprised person who got a warm pat on the back for lending Bush an umbrella. 
［9］ Even top corporate managers, who have mostly affected styles of leadership that can be characterized only as tough， cold and aloof， have begun to learn the lesson, and earn the benefits， of writing notes that lift people up.［N]Former Ford chairman Donald Peterson， who is largely credited for turning the company round in the 1980s， made it a practice to write positive messages to associates every day。［N］ "I’d just scribble them on a memo pad or the corner of a letter and pass them along，" he says。 "The most important ten minutes of your day are those you spend doing something to boost the people who work for you。" 
[10］ ”Too often，" he observed, ”people we genuinely like have no idea how we feel about them。 Too often we think, I haven’t said anything critical; why do I have to say something positive？ We forget that human beings need positive reinforcement-in fact， we thrive on it！"
［11] What does it take to write letters that lift spirits and warm hearts?[N] Only a willingness to express our appreciation。 The most successful practitionersinclude what I call the four ”S's" of note writing。 
[12] 1) They are sincere。 No one wants false praise。 
［13］ 2） They are usually short。 If you can’t say what you want to say in three sentences, you’re probably straining[N]。 
［14] 3） They are specific. Complimenting a business colleague by telling him "good speech" is too vague； "great story about Warren Buffet’s investmentstrategy” is precise. 
［15］ 4） They are spontaneous. This gives them the freshness and enthusiasm that will linger in the reader's mind long afterward. 
[16］ It’s difficult to be spontaneous when you have to hunt for letter—writing materials， so I keep paper,envelopes and stamps close at hand, even when I travel. Fancy stationery isn't necessary； it's the thought that counts. 
[17］ So， who around you deservesa note of thanks or approval？ A neighbor, your librarian, a relative, your mayor, your mate, a teacher, your doctor？ You don’t need to be poetic. If you need a reason， look for a milestone, the anniversary of a special event you shared, or a birthday or holiday. For the last 25 years， for example， I've prepared an annual Christmas letter for long—distance friends， and I often add a handwritten word of thanks or congratulations。 Acknowledging some success or good fortune that has happened during the year seems particularly appropriate considering the spirit of the Christmas season。 
[18] Be generous with your praise. Superlatives like "greatest”, "smartest"， ”prettiest" make us all feel good. Even if your praise is a little ahead of reality, remember that expectations are often the parents of dreams fulfilled.[N] 
[19] Today I got a warm, complimentary letter from my old boss andmentor, Norman Vincent Peale。 His little note to me was full of uplifting phrases, and it sent me to my typewriter to compose a few overdue letters of my own。 I don't know if they will make anybody else’s day, but they made mine。 As my friend Don Wolfe said, making others feel good about themselves makes me feel good too。 (978 words）
Over the past few decades， it has been proven innumerable times that the various types of behavior, emotions, and interests that constitute beingmasculine and feminine are patterned by both heredity and culture。 In the process of growing up, each child learns hundreds of culturally patterned details of behavior that become incorporated into its gender identity。 Some of this learning takes place directly. In other words, the child is told by others how to act in an appropriately feminine or masculine way. Other details of gender behavior are taught unconsciously, or indirectly， as the culture provides different images，aspirations， and adult models for girls and boys。 
［2] Recently， for example, a study of American public schools showed that there is a cultural bias in education that favors boys over girls。 According to the researchers, the bias is unintentional and unconscious， but it is there and it is influencing the lives of millions of schoolchildren every year。 Doctors David and Myra Sadker videotaped classroom teachers in order to study sex-related bias in education.Their research showed that many teachers who thought they were nonsexist were amazed to see how biased they appeared on videotape。 From nursery school[N] topostgraduate courses， teachers were shown to call on males in class far more than on female students。 This has a tremendous impact on the learning process for, in general, those students who become active classroom participants develop[N］ more positive attitudes and go on to higher achievement。 As a matter of fact， in the late 1960s, when many of the best all-women’s colleges[N］ in the northeastern United States opened their doors to male students, it was o