北京市第八中学2025-2026学年北师大版英语选择性必修第二册Unit4 Humour单元测试

北师大版《英语》选择性必修二Unit 4 Humour 单元测试题 满分：120分; 时间：100分钟 第一部分：完形填空（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分） 阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。 A famous art collector was walking through the city when he noticed a dirty cat lapping milk from a saucer in the doorway of a store. He did a __1__ take. He noticed the saucer was an antique and very valuable. He walked __2__ into the store and offered to buy the cat for 20 dollars. The store owner replied, “Sorry, the cat isn’t __3__ sale.” The collector said, “Please, I need a hungry cat to catch mice. I’ll __4__ you 200 dollars for that cat.” The owner said “sold” and handed __5__ the cat. The collector continued, “For 200 dollars, could you __6__ in that old saucer? The cat’s used to it.” The owner said, “Sorry, but that’s my __7__ saucer. So far this week I’ve sold 68 cats.” Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After dinner, they __8__ for the night. Hours later, Holmes woke up and asked, “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson replied, “I see millions of stars. Astronomically, it tells me there are millions of galaxies. __9__ the positions of the stars, I deduce that Saturn is in Leo. I forecast that tomorrow will be a beautiful day.” Holmes was __10__ for a moment. “Watson,” he said, “someone has __11__ our tent!” In another story, a man went to the doctor after feeling __12__ for weeks. The doctor examined him and said, “What you need is a good laugh. A circus is in town. Go see the clown Grock.” The man replied __13__, “I am Grock.” These stories show that humour often comes from unexpected situations, misunderstandings, or the __14__ of what people say and what actually happens. Sometimes, the funniest moment is when someone takes something too __15__. 1. A. second B. double C. quick D. careful 2. A. nervously B. loudly C. casually D. seriously 3. A. for B. on C. in D. at 4. A. pay B. cost C. spend D. take 5. A. in B. out C. over D. off 6. A. throw B. bring C. give D. take 7. A. lucky B. old C. big D. beautiful 8. A. retired B. left C. worked D. prepared 9. A. According to B. Instead of C. In addition to D. In spite of 10. A. happy B. silent C. excited D. bored 11. A. bought B. stolen C. moved D. opened 12. A. excited B. depressed C. surprised D. satisfied 13. A. happily B. sadly C. loudly D. proudly 14. A. difference B. similarity C. importance D. difficulty 15. A. literally B. humorously C. lightly D. carefully 第二部分：语法填空（共3组，10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分） 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。 A Laughter is often called the best medicine. Research shows that laughing 1. ______ (have) significant benefits. It relieves stress and 2. ______ (anxious), relaxes the whole body, and gives a sense of well-being. When we laugh, the level of stress chemicals in our body 3. ______ (fall), and the number of immune cells increases. This helps protect us 4. ______ heart disease. B Last night, I 5. ______ (watch) a comedy film with my family. My little brother kept 6. ______ (laugh) so hard that he fell off the sofa. My mother smiled and said, “See? Even a small joke can bring us together.” I think humour is something that should 7. ______ (treasure) in our daily lives. C Mr Bean is a world-famous comedy character. He has a reputation for 8. ______ (constant) encountering awkward situations. In one episode, he 9. ______ (seat) at a table in a fancy restaurant. When the waiter asked if everything was fine, he smiled and nodded, even though he 10. ______ (hide) raw meat in a flower vase just moments before. 第三部分：阅读理解（共4篇，15小题；每小题2分，满分30分） A Welcome to the London International Humour Festival! Dates: August 10th – August 17th, 2025 Venue: The Grand Comedy Theatre, Central London Ticket Price: £15 – £40 (Students get 20% off with valid ID) Event Highlights: Event Description Time Opening Gala: “World Laughs” Comedians from 15 countries perform 10-minute sets Aug 10, 7:00 PM Workshop: “The Art of Puns” Learn how to craft clever wordplay jokes Aug 11–12, 2:00 PM Family Show: “Funny Families” Clean, kid-friendly comedy for all ages Aug 13–14, 11:00 AM Closing Night: “Best of British” Featuring top UK comedians and surprise guests Aug 17, 7:30 PM Special Events: - “Laughter Yoga Session” (Aug 15, 10:00 AM) – A unique event combining breathing exercises with intentional laughter. No jokes required — just laugh for health! - “Stand-up Competition” (Aug 16, 7:00 PM) – Open mic for amateur comedians. Winner receives £500 and a chance to perform at next year’s festival. Important Notes: - Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. - Group discounts available for parties of 6 or more. - Latecomers may not be seated until a suitable break in the performance. For more information, visit: www.londonhumourfest.com 1. What is the main purpose of this text? A. To review the best comedy shows in London. B. To advertise a comedy festival and its events. C. To compare different types of humour. D. To explain the health benefits of laughter. 2. How much would a student pay for a £30 ticket to the Closing Night? A. £15 B. £20 C. £24 D. £30 3. Which event is most suitable for a family with young children? A. Opening Gala B. The Art of Puns workshop C. Funny Families show D. Stand-up Competition 4. What is special about the “Laughter Yoga Session”? A. It features famous comedians. B. It does not rely on traditional jokes. C. It is the most expensive event. D. It requires participants to tell stories. B When I was in high school, I was painfully shy. I rarely spoke in class, avoided eye contact, and spent most lunch breaks hidden behind a book. My classmates probably thought I was unfriendly, but the truth was simpler and sadder: I was terrified of being laughed at. Ironically, it was laughter — the very thing I feared — that eventually set me free. It happened during my junior year. Our English teacher, Mr Higgins, announced that each student would have to tell a joke in front of the class. My heart sank. For days, I rehearsed a simple joke in my room: “Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!” I practiced the timing, the pause, the delivery. When my turn came, I stood up, hands shaking. I opened my mouth — and completely forgot the punchline. Silence. A few classmates exchanged confused glances. I could feel my face turning red. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. Then, from the back of the room, Jerry — the class clown — called out, “Don’t worry, man. We’ve all been there. Just tell us when you remember.” Someone else laughed softly. Then another. Soon, the whole class was laughing — not at me, but with me. Mr Higgins smiled and said, “That’s the best joke of the day. You made everyone laugh without even telling one.” That moment changed something inside me. I realized that laughter is not a weapon; it is a bridge. It connects people. It forgives mistakes. From that day on, I began to relax. I started telling jokes, sharing stories, and even laughing at my own clumsiness. By the end of that year, I had made more friends than in all my previous school years combined. Now, whenever I feel nervous, I remember that day. I remind myself: if you can make people laugh — even by accident — you can make them like you. And that is no joke. 5. Why did the author avoid interacting with classmates at first? A. He disliked social activities. B. He was afraid of being laughed at. C. He thought he was better than others. D. He had no interest in making friends. 6. What happened when the author tried to tell his joke? A. He told it perfectly. B. He forgot the punchline. C. He made the teacher angry. D. He refused to speak. 7. How did Jerry help the author? A. He told a better joke. B. He laughed at the author. C. He showed understanding and kindness. D. He asked the teacher to stop the activity. 8. What lesson did the author learn from this experience? A. Laughter can be a weapon to hurt others. B. Jokes must always be rehearsed perfectly. C. Laughter connects people and creates friendship. D. Shy people should never try to tell jokes. C Humour is a universal human experience, yet what one culture finds hilarious, another may find confusing or even offensive. Understanding these differences is not just a matter of academic curiosity; it has practical implications in our increasingly globalized world. Take British humour, for example. It is often characterized by understatement, irony, and self-deprecation — the art of making fun of oneself. A British person might describe a disastrous situation as “a bit unfortunate” or say “I’m not exactly thrilled” when they mean they are absolutely furious. This subtlety can be lost on listeners from cultures that prefer more direct, expressive forms of communication. Furthermore, British humour frequently relies on wordplay and puns. A classic example is the joke: “I said to the gym instructor, ‘Can you teach me to do the splits?’ He said, ‘How flexible are you?’ I said, ‘I can’t make Tuesdays.’” The humour here depends on the double meaning of “flexible” — physical suppleness versus an open schedule. For a non-native English speaker unfamiliar with this ambiguity, the joke simply falls flat. In contrast, American humour tends to be more direct, exaggerated, and confrontational. Stand-up comedians like Jerry Seinfeld or Dave Chappelle often build routines around observable everyday frustrations, delivered with clear setups and punchlines. There is little left to guess. Physical comedy, such as someone slipping on a banana peel, is also more prominent in American slapstick traditions. This approach is generally more accessible to international audiences because it relies less on linguistic nuance and more on shared human experiences like embarrassment, surprise, or misfortune. Chinese humour, particularly through traditional art forms like crosstalk (xiangsheng), often uses clever language twists, historical allusions, and rapid-fire dialogue between two performers. One comedian plays the straight man, asking obvious questions, while the other delivers witty, often absurd answers. The humour can be highly intellectual, requiring not just language fluency but also cultural and historical knowledge. This is why some Chinese jokes are difficult to translate effectively into English. So why do these differences matter? In international business, diplomacy, or even travel, a misplaced joke can cause unintended offence. A self-deprecating British boss might be seen as weak by American employees. An exaggerated American joke might be perceived as rude by Japanese colleagues. However, research also shows that when people from different cultures successfully share a laugh, trust and cooperation improve significantly. The key is awareness. By understanding that humour is culturally shaped, we can appreciate different comic traditions and use laughter as a bridge — not a barrier — between peoples. 9. What is the main idea of the passage? A. British humour is the most difficult to understand. B. Humour varies across cultures due to different traditions. C. American humour is better than Chinese humour. D. Everyone should learn to tell jokes in English. 10. Why might a non-native speaker fail to understand the British “gym instructor” joke? A. It is too long. B. It relies on the double meaning of “flexible”. C. It uses physical comedy. D. It requires knowledge of British politics. 11. Which type of humour is described as more accessible to international audiences? A. British understatement. B. American physical comedy. C. Chinese crosstalk. D. French irony. 12. According to the passage, why should people be careful with humour in international settings? A. Jokes are always offensive. B. Different cultures may interpret humour differently. C. Only professionals should tell jokes. D. Humour has no place in business. D For decades, scientists have studied the physiological and psychological effects of laughter. The results are striking: laughter is not merely a pleasant social signal but a powerful biological tool that can improve both mental and physical health. Yet despite this growing body of evidence, we often treat humour as an optional extra in life — something nice to have but not essential. This attitude, researchers argue, is a mistake. Let us begin with the physical benefits. When we laugh, our brain releases endorphins — natural chemicals that reduce pain and produce feelings of pleasure. Simultaneously, laughter lowers the level of cortisol, a stress hormone that, when chronically elevated, can damage the immune system, increase blood pressure, and contribute to anxiety and depression. In one landmark study conducted at the University of Maryland, researchers showed participants either a stressful film or a comedy. Those who watched the comedy had significantly increased blood flow and improved blood vessel function — effects similar to those achieved through aerobic exercise. The conclusion? Laughter is genuinely good for the heart. The psychological benefits are equally impressive. Humour helps reframe stressful situations, allowing us to see challenges as less threatening. This cognitive shift can reduce anxiety and improve problem-solving abilities. Moreover, laughter builds social bonds. When we laugh with others, we signal trust, shared understanding, and emotional connection. A study of workplace dynamics found that teams whose members frequently shared jokes and laughter were more creative, made decisions faster, and reported higher job satisfaction. In contrast, teams with little humour showed more conflict and lower morale. However — and this is a crucial however — not all humour is beneficial. Aggressive humour, which targets individuals through mockery, sarcasm, or ridicule, can damage relationships and increase stress for the victim. Even the person making the joke may suffer socially if their humour is perceived as cruel or insensitive. In extreme cases, workplace bullying disguised as “just a joke” can create a toxic environment. Therefore, the type of humour matters enormously. So what type of humour should we cultivate? Psychologists recommend affiliative humour — the kind that brings people together, celebrates shared absurdities, and invites everyone to laugh along. This includes self-deprecating jokes (laughing at oneself rather than others), light-hearted wordplay, and funny stories about everyday mishaps. Affiliative humour strengthens relationships because it signals warmth, humility, and inclusiveness. Another effective type is self-enhancing humour — the ability to laugh at life’s difficulties and maintain a humorous perspective even during hard times. People who use self-enhancing humour recover more quickly from setbacks, report lower levels of depression, and cope better with stress. They do not need an audience; they have learned to be their own source of joy. In conclusion, humour is far more than entertainment. It is a health practice, a social lubricant, and a coping strategy. But like any tool, it must be used wisely. By choosing affiliative and self-enhancing humour — and avoiding aggressive or hurtful jokes — we can harness the power of laughter to improve our own well-being and strengthen our communities. 13. What physical benefit of laughter is mentioned in the passage? A. It helps people lose weight. B. It improves blood vessel function. C. It replaces the need for exercise. D. It cures heart disease completely. 14. What does the author say about aggressive humour? A. It is harmless and often funny. B. It can damage relationships and cause stress. C. It is the most popular type of humour in the workplace. D. It has the same benefits as affiliative humour. 15. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this passage? A. To recommend watching more comedy films. B. To explain how to use humour wisely for health and relationships. C. To compare British and American humour styles. D. To criticize people who do not laugh enough. 第四部分：信息还原（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分） 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。 Humour is often described as a universal language, yet the truth is more complicated. What makes people laugh varies enormously depending on age, personality, culture, and context. Understanding these differences is not just a matter of social grace; it can improve our relationships, our work, and even our health. 16. ______ Research suggests that children begin to develop a sense of humour as early as six months old, responding to peek-a-boo games and funny faces. By age two, they enjoy slapstick — people falling down or making silly noises. School-age children, however, start to appreciate wordplay and puns, though their jokes often follow predictable patterns (“Why did the chicken cross the road?”). Teenagers, in contrast, may prefer ironic or sarcastic humour, using laughter to establish social boundaries and group identity. 17. ______ Personality also plays a major role. Extroverts tend to enjoy loud, social, and even risky humour — telling jokes in front of groups, participating in comedy improvisation, or sharing embarrassing stories. Introverts may prefer quieter forms of wit: clever observations, puns, or dry, understated jokes that reward careful listening. 18. ______ For example, someone high in “openness to experience” may enjoy absurd or surreal humour, while a more traditional thinker might prefer straightforward, predictable jokes. Culture, perhaps, exerts the strongest influence. Individualistic cultures like the United States often celebrate humour that highlights personal achievement or clever individual wit. Collectivist cultures, such as Japan or many Arab societies, may favour humour that reinforces group harmony, avoids direct confrontation, and subtly critiques without naming names. 19. ______ A joke that travels well across the Atlantic may land with a thud in Beijing — not because it is unfunny, but because its assumptions, references, or delivery style do not match local expectations. So what can we learn from this? First, do not assume that what you find funny will amuse everyone. Second, observe before you joke — pay attention to what makes your specific audience laugh. Third, when in doubt, use self-deprecating humour. Making fun of yourself rarely offends others and often disarms tension. 20. ______ Finally, remember that humour is a skill, not a fixed trait. With practice and attention, anyone can learn to bring more laughter into their lives — and into the lives of those around them. A. A joke that works in one culture may completely fail in another. B. This explains why a classroom of teenagers may erupt at a sarcastic comment that leaves their teacher cold. C. However, aggressive humour is often the easiest to produce. D. Laughing at yourself shows confidence and invites others to laugh along without fear of being targeted. E. Therefore, everyone should watch at least one comedy per week. F. Even within a single personality type, preferences can differ based on other traits like openness. G. Humour can also be a sign of intelligence, as clever jokes require mental flexibility. 第五部分：中译英（共5小题；每小题3分，满分15分） 将下列句子翻译成英语。 1. 幽默不仅能缓解紧张，还能增强团队合作。 2. 他假装若无其事地走进商店，想买那只猫。 3. 憨豆先生以不断遇到尴尬的情况而闻名。 4. 大笑有助于放松全身肌肉，效果可以持续45分钟。 5. 我们都喜欢和他在一起，因为他总是能用幽默让我们感到充满活力。 第六部分：选词填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分） 从方框中选择合适的词或短语，并用其正确形式填空。 amuse reputation universal desperate rarely purely contrary encounter rely on embarrassed 1. Mr Bean has a ______ for getting into awkward situations. 2. His humour is ______ physical and requires no translation. 3. She felt ______ when she called her teacher “dad” by mistake. 4. The clown’s performance ______ the children for hours. 5. ______ to his character, Rowan Atkinson is highly intelligent. 6. Many comedians ______ body language to make people laugh. 7. I ______ watch serious films; I prefer comedies. 8. He became ______ to hide the raw meat anywhere he could. 9. We all ______ funny moments in our daily lives. 10. Laughter is a ______ language understood by everyone. 第七部分：书面表达（满分20分） 假设你是李华，你的英国朋友Chris来信说他最近感到压力很大，心情低落。请你写一封回信，建议他通过幽默和笑声来缓解压力。内容包括： 1. 表达关心和理解； 2. 介绍幽默的好处（至少两点）； 3. 提出具体建议（如看喜剧、和朋友讲笑话等）。 注意： - 词数100左右； - 可以适当增加细节，使行文连贯； - 开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。 Dear Chris, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling down lately. ________________________________ Yours sincerely, Li Hua 参考答案与解析 完形填空 1 B do a double take 为固定搭配，意为“惊讶地又看了一眼” 2 C casually 表示“漫不经心地”，符合语境 3 A for sale 为固定搭配，意为“待售” 4 A pay sb money for sth 为正确搭配 5 C hand over 意为“移交” 6 A throw in 为口语表达，意为“额外附送” 7 A lucky 与后文“卖了68只猫”形成逻辑呼应 8 A retired for the night 意为“就寝” 9 A according to 表示“根据” 10 B silent 体现Holmes的冷静与反讽 11 B stolen 是故事笑点所在 12 B depressed 与上下文情绪一致 13 B sadly 形成反差幽默 14 A difference 指现实与语言的差距 15 A literally “字面地”，幽默源于过度字面理解 语法填空 A 1. has (主谓一致，一般现在时) 2. anxiety (名词形式) 3. falls (主谓一致) 4. from (protect sb from sth) B 5. watched (过去时) 6. laughing (keep doing) 7. be treasured (情态动词被动) C 8. constantly (副词修饰encountering) 9. was seated (被动语态) 10. was hiding (过去进行时) 阅读理解 1 B 应用文目的为宣传喜剧节及其活动 2 C 学生八折，30×0.8=24 3 C Funny Families为家庭友好型演出 4 B 不需要传统笑话，而是通过呼吸和刻意大笑 5 B 第一段明确：terrified of being laughed at 6 B 完全忘记笑点（forgot the punchline） 7 C Jerry表示理解并鼓励，而非嘲笑 8 C 文章核心观点：laughter connects people 9 B 全文主旨：不同文化背景下幽默的差异 10 B “flexible”的双关含义是关键 11 B 第三段指出physical comedy更易理解 12 B 跨文化环境中幽默可能被误解 13 B 第二段提到改善血管功能 14 B 第四段明确：aggressive humour会破坏关系 15 B 全文围绕如何明智使用幽默改善健康与人际关系 信息还原 16 B 承接上文，解释青少年幽默偏好与成人不同 17 F 讨论性格特质时，进一步细化开放性特质的影响 18 A 文化差异部分的核心论点：笑话无法跨文化通用 19 G 自嘲式幽默最安全，不会冒犯他人 20 D 总结自嘲式幽默的价值，与上文直接衔接。 中译英 1. Humour can not only relieve tension but also enhance teamwork. 2. He walked casually into the store and pretended to buy the cat. 3. Mr Bean has a reputation for constantly encountering awkward situations. 4. A good laugh helps relax the muscles in our body, and the effects can last 45 minutes. 5. We all enjoy his company because he always uses humour to make us feel energised. 选词填空 1. reputation 2. purely 3. embarrassed 4. amused 5. Contrary 6. rely on 7. rarely 8. desperate 9. encounter 10. universal 书面表达（参考范文） I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling down lately. Please know that I truly understand how stressful life can be sometimes. You are not alone. I strongly believe humour can help you feel better. Research shows that laughter relieves stress and relaxes the whole body — effects that can last for nearly an hour. What’s more, laughing with others strengthens relationships and makes us feel more energised. Why not try watching a funny film or an episode of Mr Bean? You could also call a friend and share a few jokes. Even forcing yourself to smile can sometimes trick your brain into feeling happier. Take care and keep laughing! 1 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $