Unit 3 课下能力提升(九)

阅读理解

A

About the year 1990, a small, dark-haired hot boy named Charlie Chaplin was often seen waiting outside the back entrance of London Theatre. He looked thin and hungry. He was hoping to get work in show business. He could sing and dance; above all, he knew how to make people laugh. But he couldn't get work and so he wandered about the city streets. Sometimes he was sent away to a home for children who had no parents.

But twenty years later this name Chaplin became the greatest, best-known, and best-loved comedian in the world. Any visitor to the cinema must have seen some of Chaplin's filmstrips (胶片). People everywhere have sat and laughed at them until the tears ran down their faces. Even people who don't understand English can enjoy Chaplin's films though most of them are silent. It isn't what he says that makes us laugh. His comedy doesn't depend upon words and languages. It depends upon little actions which mean the same thing to people all over the world. Acting out, without words, common human situations plays an important part in the dances and plays of many countries. It's a kind of world language.

Chaplin lived most of his life in America and died in Switzerland on Christmas Day, 1977, at the age of eighty-eight. The world was astonished at the news of the death and burst into sadness.

1．Why was young Chaplin waiting outside the back entrance of the theatre? A．Because he had no money to buy a ticket. B．Because he wanted to get a returned ticket.

C．Because he wanted to play a part in a play in order to make a living. D．Because he wanted to see the famous actors or actresses after the performance. 2．It was ________ that made people enjoy his films.

A．wonderful dialogues B．the beautiful music C．his funny appearance D．his own manner of acting

3．The reason why Chaplin is regarded as king of comedy is that ________. A．most of his films were silent B．he knew how to make people laugh

C．he could not only act but also write comedies

D．he acted out the common human situations best in his comedy 4．What's the best title for this passage? A．Charlie Chaplin, a Famous Humorous Actor B．Charlie Chaplin, a Worker C．Charlie Chaplin, a Small Boy D．Charlie Chaplin, a Director

B

I have heard having a good sense of humour often helps in breaking the ice. Also people remember you because of your humour. But I think I don't have a very good sense of humour. Could you suggest how to build up this？— Redha Karnik

This is a great question that is unfortunately difficult to answer. I can only give you my views on this topic, which may or may not be correct. I know that my sense of humour developed over time.

When I was younger I was not funny at all; now I can easily make people laugh. At the same time, sometimes I say things that I think are very funny but others do not. Improving wit and humour, I believe, is an ongoing process.

Now, there are various forms of humour and everyone has their individual style. Overall, I believe being fluent in a language is very important for being witty or funny. The way we play around with words adds the “funny” tag to an otherwise normal sentence.

Also, seeing irony is very important. I think humour is often the link between two unrelated things.

In my experience, laughing frequently and appreciating other people's jokes and wit is very important. Within this, finding humour in everyday normal situations is the key.

I often notice what is going on around me and say funny things in my head and laugh to myself. That serves almost as practice for when I am in a group. I watch comedy shows and movies and I am sure that has some effects on helping me improve my sense of humour.

And last, having confidence that you are witty is important. There will always be someone wittier or funnier than you, which is fine. Just work on building your own style.

Remember, if you are trying to be funny and witty in order to break the ice at a business function, be careful.

In those situations, humour has to be mild and politically correct. Yours， Brad

5．Radha Karnik's problem is that he doesn't ________. A．have friends

B．know the functions of humour C．understand others' humour D．have a good sense of humour

6．By telling his own experience, Brad tried to make Radha Karnik believe that ________.

A．laughter is the best medicine B．laughter and humour go hand-in-hand C．a sense of humour can be developed D．a sense of humour helps impress others

7．In order to improve our sense of humour, Brad believes that the following are important EXCEPT ________.

A．good language ability B．loyalty C．learning from life D．confidence 8．Radha Karnik is warned not to be funny ________. A．improperly B．frequently C．naturally D．differently

C

Darno Setiadi is one of the top ten thousand richest men in Indonesia. Mr Setiadi runs his own business, importing (进口) machinery from Europe and selling it all over the country. He employs over three hundred people and lives in a very large house in Jakarta, the capital city. However, as he will tell you, he had to travel down a long, hard road to get to where he is today.

“I built this business up from nothing through my own hard work，” said Darno.“I come from a poor family and have thirteen brothers and sisters. My dad died when I was fourteen and I had to go out to work to try to support the rest of my family. To begin