Episode 102 B

EPISODE 102
LEVEL B2

 

READING COMPREHENSION 

 

RAISING A SMILE                                                                        

Historically, humour has often been seen in a very negative way. For example, about two and a half thousand years ago, Plato, the Greek philosopher, wrote about the malevolent nature of humour. It meant trying to give yourself a sense of superiority by making fun of other people. Modern psychology, however, regards humour with more respect. Freud saw laughter as a means of safely discharging nervous energy. It provides relief and self-gratification and makes potentially damaging conflicts harmless. Generally speaking, humorous people are perceived as being more likeable, and this in turn enables them to have greater influence. Humour may also be a displacement of aggression. For all of us, humour is not only an invaluable social tool. It also provides a useful way of coping with personal frustrations and emotional difficulties. Making a joke about the problem helps us to communicate the nature of our true feelings to others. By laughing about them, we achieve a more relaxed mood in which we are better able to understand and resolve conflicts.

 

EXERCISE 1 

Match the sentences with their definitions:

More words describing people’s sense of humour:

 

1. She’s got a very dry sense of humour.
2. She doesn’t laugh – she cackles!
3. She’s got a very irreverent sense of humour.
4. She’s got quite a self-depreciating sense of humour.

1. She takes the mickey out of herself all the time
2. She’s quite sarcastic.
3. She is not afraid to take the mickey out of the boss.
4. She sounds like a witch.

 

ENGLISH IN USE  

MAKE & DO

What do bees do? Fly.

What do bees make? Honey.

 

MAKE	DO
Used to talk about: building constructing producing creating things.	Describes an action without saying what exactly it is: We did some things. to talk about work /jobs: to do some work to do the homework to do the …+ing: to do the cleaning

 

MAKE	DO
create/ produce/construct	perform task/activities/actions
a cake a bed a plan a journey a will a fuss a mess a profit a fortune a mistake a noise an impression a bargain a suggestion a decision a choice a speech an attempt an effort an excuse an exception a phone call  an offer a nuisance / fool of oneself a complaint an arrangement an appointment up one’s mind a decision fun of sure that friends trouble money love peace war fire progress	a thing something/nothing/anything/everything/what work; homework the shopping/the washing up/the cleaning …ing (some reading/a lot of swimming) good harm smn a good turn business a favour a test research a trip a degree a course survey on well (in an exam) sport yoga / karate exercise one’s hair /nails one’s best one’s job one’s duty 50 mph

 

EXERCISE 2 

1. How can you be  __________________ fun of him all the time? That’s cruel!
2. I’ll be ready in 5 minutes – let me just  _____________ my nails!
3. I need to ______________ a phone call, so please be quiet.
4. One of our customers has just  ______________ a complaint about the steak.
5. Normally I would say no – but I think I can  _________________ an exception for you, just this time, OK?
6. Well, I still haven’t got a clue what to do. I just can’t  ______________ up my mind! I’ll never know which of them I should marry!
7. John, have you  ________________ your homework yet?
8. The professor is  ________________  some research concerning the new medicine.
9. Why are you  ___________________ all this fuss?!? Because I took your car without asking you?
10. Don’t be afraid of him – he’ll  _____________ you no harm.
11. The company’s  been ___________________ big profits recently.
12. What the hell are you  _______________ here?
13. I’m sorry I must go but I’ve  got some writing to  _______________.
14. I don’t like him – he’s always  _________________  trouble.
15. Little wonder he’s embarrassed – he ________________ a real fool of himself at the party!

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF = laugh loudly and for a long time

FALL FLAT = if a joke falls flat, none laughs at it

PULL SB’S LEG = to tell sb which is not true

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

BRIGHTEN UP = suddenly look or feel happier

GET CARRIED AWAY = become so excited about sth that you do not control what you say or do and you forget about everything else

 

EXERCISE 3 

Complete each gap with one word.

1. A letter will make your heart beat faster, but don’t ………….…..proceed carefully.
2. Tomorrow it will be a lively day, so ………………. and relax.
3. Is it easy to recognize when somebody is………….….?
4. Children are normally so open and honest, that they ….………….all day long.
5. Bob is so bad at telling jokes that each time he does it, they …………..

 

NEWS

Laughter is strong medicine for mind and body

 

“Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use. “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.”

 

GLOSSARY:

-infectious = contagious = something that has an effect on everyone who is present and makes them want to join in:

-roaring laughter = loud and powerful

– to bind = to connect

– to trigger = to cause sth to start

-to diminish = to reduce

– alert = quick to see, understand, and act in a particular situation

– surmounting = piling up

– to enhance = to improve

 

download lesson (pdf)