A
Humor is a most effective, yet frequently neglected, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying“no”， criticizing, and getting the other fellow to do what you want without his losing face. For some jobs, it is the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that a serious dialogue may start a riot. For example, many believe that comedians on television are doing more today for racial and religious tolerance that people in any other forum.
Humor is often the best way to keep a small misunderstanding from escalating (升级) into a big deal. Recently a neighbor of mine had a quarrel with his wife as she drove him to the airport. Airborne, he felt miserable, and he knew she did, too. Two hours after she returned home, she received a longdistance phone call. “Persontoperson for Mrs. I. A. Pologize.” intoned the operator.“That's spelled ‘P’ as in ...” In a twinkling (眨眼间), the whole day changed from bad to lovely at both ends of the wire.
As English hostess with a quick wit was giving a formal dinner for eight distinguished guests whom she hoped to enlist (赞助) in a major charity drive. Austerity was a fashion in England at the time, and she had asked her children to serve the meal. She knew that anything could happen ... and it did, just as her son, with the studied concentration of a tight rope walker, brought in a large roast turkey; he successfully elbowed the swinging diningroom door, but the back bird dropped onto the diningroom floor.
The boy stood rooted, the guests staring at their plates. Moving only her head the hostess looked at her son，“No harm, Daniel”， she said，“just pick him up and take him back to the kitchen” ... she enunciated (发音) clearly so he would think about what she was saying ...“and bring in the other one.”
A wink and a oneliner instantly changed the dinner from a redfaced embarrassment to a laughter.
【语篇解读】 幽默能使我们有效地应对尴尬的局面。
1．What is the main idea of the passage?
A．Humor is the key to success in our work and lives.
B．Humor enables us to deal with difficult situations effectively.
C．Humor is the best way to criticize someone without losing his face.
D．Humor makes fun of any difficult situation.
解析：选B 主旨大意题。从文章结构上分析，作者在首段中就提出了本文的中心论点，而且其后的三段都对中心论点加以说明。首段的第一句又是本段的中心，下面所列出的一些幽默的作用都是具体的方面。故应选B项。
2．Which of the following is NOT stated in the passage?
A．Comedians on TV are believed to have done a lot in making people more tolerant (容忍) of racial and religious differences.
B．To make up differences, humor is a most acceptable and effective means.
C．People often turn to humorous ways when meeting with difficult situations because of its effectiveness.
D．Only by adopting the means of humor can one succeed in some jobs.
解析：选C 细节理解题。选项A、D内容分别位于第一段的末句和第三句中，选项B的内容虽然在原文中没有直接出现，但与第一段中所含意思相同。
3．What caused the roast turkey to drop onto the floor?
A．The backward movement of the door.
B．The son's rude behavior.
C．Someone happened to be at the door.
D．The bird raised by the family.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第三段的最后一句可知，他成功地用肘部推开了门，但是复位的门却将火鸡打到了地上。故应选A项。
4．What do you think would probably be the result if the hostess got angry and scolded the son?
A．It would make the embarrassing situation worse.
B．The son would refuse to serve the guests any more.
C．The son would talk back and make the mother all the more angry.
D．The guests would leave before the dinner was over.
解析：选A 推理判断题。由最后一段可推知，答案选A。
