Humour (Why do We Laugh Inappropriately?)

Working with words

The following words are synonyms and antonyms of the verb ‘laugh’. Group them into synonyms and antonyms.

Match the following emotions with their definitions.

Comprehension

Complete the following sentences with words/ phrases from the text.

a. According to Sophie Scott, laughter is one of the important and misunderstood behaviors.
b. After her study in Namibia, Scott came to the realization that laughter is one of our richest vocal tics.
c. Studies have shown that there are six universal emotions based on facial expressions.
d. Scott found out that most of the laughs have nothing to do with humour.
e. The couples who laugh at each other are likely to show them that you like them, you agree with them or that you are in same group as them.
f. The primary way of communication of grown up people is laughing.
g. Comedians usually find it easier to work in larger places due to contagious nature of laughter.

Answer the following questions.

a. Why do people giggle at someone’s pain or suffering?

According to the text, laughter can be contagious and can happen even when someone is in pain or suffering because it serves as a social bonding mechanism. It brings people together and helps them to bond, whether or not something is actually funny.

b. What did Scott’s study in Namibia come up with?

Scott's study in Namibia found that laughter is one of the most easily recognizable emotions across cultures, and that it encodes more subtle information in our voice. It made Scott begin to realize that laughter is one of our richest vocal tics.

c. How is laughter a social bonding?

Laughter can serve as a social bonding mechanism as it brings people together and helps them to bond, whether or not something is actually funny. When people laugh together, they show that they like each other, agree with each other, or are in the same group. Laughter is an index of the strength of a relationship.

d. According to the author, what role does laughter play in husband-wife relationship?

According to the author, laughter helps to dissipate tension after a stressful event and could make the relationship stronger.

e. How does laughter work as a painkiller?

Laughter is known to release endorphins, which are chemicals that act as natural painkillers in the body.

f. What did the study find about the relation between laughter and brain?

Brain activity seemed to reflect areas normally associated with bodily motion and visualization. Laughter is a complex behavior that involves the whole body, not just the vocal cords.

g. What are two emotions that the author associates with infants and adults?

Crying and laughter are two emotions that the author associates with infants and adults.

h. How does a stand-up comedian take the audience’s laughter?

A stand-up comedian takes the audience’s laughter by interacting with them, taking the advantage of contagious nature of laughter and reducing the audience to fits of hysterics.

i. Show the relation between laughter and crowd.

The text states that laughter is contagious, and that waves of mirth can catch on more easily when there are more people. This implies that laughter is more likely to occur in larger crowds.

j. What does the author mean when he says “there is always a meaning to it?”

The author means that laughter is not only a response to something being funny, but it also serves as a social bonding mechanism and encodes more subtle information in our voice. It can indicate various emotions and social cues, and it is not limited to just indicating that something is funny.

Critical thinking

Do you agree that ‘the couples, who laugh together, stay together?’ Is it important for married couples to have the same sense of humour? Why?

The statement "the couples who laugh together, stay together" is a popular saying, but it is not necessarily supported by scientific research. While laughter and a shared sense of humor can be an important bonding mechanism in any relationship, it is not the only factor that contributes to the success and longevity of a relationship. Other factors such as communication, trust, and mutual respect also play a significant role.

It is not necessary for married couples to have the same sense of humor, as everyone has different tastes and preferences. However, a shared sense of humor can be an important factor in building a strong relationship, as it can bring couples together and create a positive and playful atmosphere in their relationship. It can also be a way to deal with challenges and stress together.

Having a different sense of humor doesn't mean that a relationship is doomed, it may also bring diversity and new perspectives. The most important thing is for couples to be able to understand and appreciate each other's sense of humor, and to be able to laugh and enjoy each other's company.

Some people believe that sometimes crying is good for health. Do you believe it? Give your reasons.

Crying is a natural and healthy way of expressing emotions and releasing stress. It can have a variety of benefits for mental and physical health.

Crying releases chemicals called endorphins, which are known to have a calming and pain-relieving effect. This can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and promote feelings of well-being. Crying can also help to release pent-up emotions and reduce feelings of emotional congestion. This can help to promote a sense of emotional balance and well-being.

Additionally, crying has been shown to have a positive effect on the immune system. Tears produced during emotional crying contain a higher concentration of certain stress hormones and other chemicals, which may help to boost the immune system.

Moreover, crying can be a form of self-care, it is a way to process and validate our emotions. By acknowledging them, we can process them, understand them, and move on from them. It is a way to take care of our emotional health, crying can be a sign that we are taking care of ourselves and our emotional well-being.

In summary, crying can have a number of benefits for mental and physical health and it is a natural and healthy way of expressing emotions and releasing stress. It can be a sign of self-care and emotional well-being. Crying can help to release pent-up emotions, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, promote feelings of well-being, boost the immune system, and help to process and validate emotions. It can be a healthy way to take care of oneself emotionally.

Writing

Write a paragraph narrating an event from your life when you were involved in contagious laughter.

I was at a comedy club with a group of friends. The comedian takes the stage and starts telling jokes. At first, the audience was a bit reserved and not laughing much. But then, the comedian tells a particularly funny joke and one person in the audience erupted in loud laughter. The energy in the room shifted and suddenly, more and more people started laughing along. The comedian picked up on this energy and started telling more jokes that built on the laughter. Soon, the whole room was filled with the sound of laughter and everyone was having a great time. The contagious laughter spread throughout the room, making everyone feel good and connected. As the comedian finished his set, the audience left the club feeling happy and satisfied, having shared an enjoyable experience together.

Write a description of your favourite comedian explaining his/her personality, acting, performance and uniqueness.

One of my favorite comedians is Kevin Hart. He is known for his high-energy and physical style of comedy, and his ability to connect with audiences through his relatable, autobiographical material. He has a unique perspective on life and his ability to turn everyday situations into comedic gold is one of his strengths. He is a master of storytelling, and he uses his unique experiences to create relatable and relatable jokes. He is also a gifted actor and his performances on stage are always full of energy and enthusiasm. His unique ability to combine humor with real-life situations is what makes him stand out from the rest. He is able to make the audience laugh and feel good about themselves at the same time. His act is versatile and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making him one of the most popular comedians of the current time.

Grammar

Put the frequency adverbs in appropriate place and rewrite the following sentences.

a. I forget to do my homework. (sometimes)
Sometimes, I forget to do my homework.

b. My father has touched an alcoholic drink in his life. (never)
My father has never touched an alcoholic drink in his life.

c. My father goes for a walk on Saturdays. (often)
My father often goes for a walk on Saturdays.

d. We go to the movie theatre. (occasionally)
We occasionally go to the movie theatre.

e. My brother is in America. He telephones us. (from time to time)
From time to time, my brother is in America. He telephones us.

f. My mother gets up at five o’clock. (always)
My mother always gets up at five o'clock.

g. He does not like alcoholic drinks but takes some wine. (now and then)
He does not like alcoholic drinks but takes some wine now and then.

h. I drink my tea with milk. (generally)
Generally, I drink my tea with milk.

i. Have you been to Agra? (ever)
Have you ever been to Agra?

j. The restaurant hours vary as it is booked for special events. (frequently)
The restaurant hours frequently vary as it is booked for special events.