Whether we find a joke funny or not largely depends on where we have been brought up．The sense of humour is mysteriously(神秘地)connected with national characteristics．A Frenchman ,for instance, might find it hard to laugh at Russian joke．In the same way, a Russian might fail to see anything amusing in a joke which would make an Englishman laugh to tears．
Most funny stories are based on comic situations．In spite of national differences, certain funny situations have a worldwide request．No matter where you live, you would find it difficult not to laugh at, say ,Charlie Chaplin’s early films．However, a new type of humour, which stems largely from America, has recently come into fashion．It is called “sick humour”．Comedians base their jokes on tragic situations like violent (cause by force)death or serious accidents．Many people find this sort of joke distasteful．The following example of “sick humour” will enable you to judge for yourself．
A man who had broken his right leg was taken to hospital a few weeks before Christmas．From the moment he arrived there, he kept on pestering(纠缠) his doctor tell him when he would be able to go home．He was afraid of having to spend Christmas in hospital ．Though the doctor did his best, the patient’s recovery was slow．On Christmas day, however, the doctor consoled(安慰)him by telling him that his chances of being able to leave hospital in time for New Year celebrations were good．The man took heart and, sure enough , on New Year’s Eve he was able to hobble(跛行) along to a party．To compensate(补偿)for his unpleasant experiences in hospital , the man drank a little more than what was good for him．In the process, he enjoyed himself and kept telling everybody how much he hated hospitals．He was still mumbling something about hospitals at the end of the party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg．
Whether you find “sick humour” funny or not will depend on ________．
A．your having been brought up in America
B．the joke being related to a really comic situation
C．your ability to see the funny side of an unpleasant event
D．your ability to laugh until you cry
The man spent Christmas day feeling miserable because ________．
A．the doctor had failed to cure him
B．he was not able to be with his friends
C．being unable to walk, he did not enjoy the celebrations at the hospital
D．he thought he might also miss the New Year’s Eve celebration
The point of the joke taken to explain “sick humour” is that ________．
A．no sooner was the out of hospital than he had to go back in again．
B．the man should not have said how much he hated hospitals
C．the man would be unable to walk for the rest of his life
D．the man had not got a leg to stand on
What can you learn from this story ?
A．On New Year’s Eve, the man was able to walk properly to the party．
B．At the party , he enjoyed himself but only drank a little．
C．He had to go to hospital again though he hated it．
D．The man got well soon because the doctor took good care of him．