I. Please read the text after the speaker.

5.   But irony is not the foundation of American humor. I think Americans understand British irony (most of the time anyway!); ①What they don’t understand is the need to use it so frequently. When Americans use irony, they tend to state that they were “only kidding.” They feel the need to make a joke more obvious than the British do. Maybe this comes from a fear of offending people.

 6.  ②The American sense of humor is generally more slapstick than that of Britain. I think this arises from a cultural difference between the two. American jokes are more obvious and forward, a bit like Americans themselves. British jokes, on the other hand, tend to be more subtle, but with a dark or sarcastic undertone. There is usually a hidden meaning.  ③This may stem from the fact that British culture is more reserved than American culture.  

 7.   Americans say “Have a nice day!” whether they mean it or not. British people would seldom say this out of the fear of sounding insincere. But I think it might be for another reason—They don’t want to celebrate anything too soon. ④To the British, failure and disappointment lurk around every corner. This is perhaps due to their upbringing. Americans are brought up to believe they can be the next President of the United States. The British, however, are told, “It won’t happen to you.”

8.   Yet certain American comedies have gained huge success in Britain and vice versa. For instance, both the British and American versions of the comedy The Office are extremely successful on both sides of the Atlantic. ⑤Both shows have their own cultural differences, yet they portray a lifestyle which both Americans and Brits alike can relate to. Therefore, although there are differences between both nation’s wit and comic styles, there is still a possibility of appreciation and understanding of the other’s sense of humor.

II. Text analysis

①What they don’t understand is the need to use it so frequently. （Para. 5）

 翻译：他们所不能理解的是英国人需要经常去使用它。

②The American sense of humor is generally more  slapstick than that of Britain.(Para. 6）

翻译：美国人的幽默感通常比英国人的幽默感更滑稽。

③This may stem from the fact that British culture is more reserved than American culture.  （Para. 6）

翻译：这可能是因为英国文化比美国文化更为保守。

④To the British, failure and disappointment lurk around every corner.（Para. 7）

翻译： 对于英国人来说，失败或不幸随时可能降临。

⑤For instance, both the British and American versions of the comedy The Office are extremely successful on both sides of the Atlantic. （Para. 8）

 翻译：例如，英国和美国版的喜剧《办公室》在大西洋两岸均获得成功。

III.Test     

5.   But irony is not the foundation of American humor. I think Americans understand British irony (most of the time anyway!); ①what they don’t understand is the need to use it so frequently. When Americans use irony, they tend to state that they were “only kidding.” They feel the need to make a joke more obvious than the British do. Maybe this comes from a fear of offending people.

 6.  ②The American sense of humor is generally more slapstick than that of Britain. I think this arises from a cultural difference between the two. American jokes are more obvious and forward, a bit like Americans themselves. British jokes, on the other hand, tend to be more subtle, but with a dark or sarcastic undertone. There is usually a hidden meaning.  ③This may stem from the fact that British culture is more reserved than American culture.  

7.   Americans say “Have a nice day!” whether they mean it or not. British people would seldom say this out of the fear of sounding insincere. But I think it might be for another reason—They don’t want to celebrate anything too soon. ④To the British, failure and disappointment lurk around every corner. This is perhaps due to their upbringing. Americans are brought up to believe they can be the next President of the United States. The British, however, are told, “It won’t happen to you.”

8.   Yet certain American comedies have gained huge success in Britain and vice versa. For instance, both the British and American versions of the comedy The Office are extremely successful on both sides of the Atlantic. ⑤Both shows have their own cultural differences, yet they portray a lifestyle which both Americans and Brits alike can relate to. Therefore, although there are differences between both nation’s wit and comic styles, there is still a possibility of appreciation and understanding of the other’s sense of humor.