Question

Read the following statements. Now, listen to the talk on the importance of humour and laughter for good physical and mental health. You may listen to the text again if required, to help you choose the correct option

Humour and laughter are used in a variety of therapeutic situations. Therapeutic humour has the power to motivate and lessen stress and pain. Laughter improves one’s sense of well being. The benefits of a good “belly laugh” are being discovered by empirical research. You can feel relaxed and good after laughing at a funny movie, television program, or humorous event.

It seems generally accepted that our bodies respond in a positive way to a hearty laugh. It is reported that laughter, like exercise, can reduce stress, improve tolerance to pain, and alter bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle activity, and stomach acidity. In business, managers are learning the advantages of using humour. Happier, healthier employees work better. Humour improves employee creativity, so employees are sometimes trained how to introduce humour into their personal/professional life.

A number of hospitals and related institutions have created humour rooms. The humour room is stocked with books, comics, funny posters, audiotapes, and videos. Humour is a therapeutic tool that demands energy for its creation, yet its rich rewards include a closer therapeutic bond through shared laughter. The best humour comes from what is going on “at the moment.” Therefore one can plan to use humour yet rely on spontaneous opportunities to employ it. Humour is something positive that should bring mutually shared enjoyment and pleasure. Above all, humour is called a way of living not a part of living.

i) Humour has the power to motivate and ______stress and pain.

1. improve
2. intensify
3. intensify
4. increase

ii) It seems generally ______that our bodies respond in a positive way to a hearty laugh.

1. accepted
2. denied
3. improved
4. confused

iii) The _________ is stocked with books, comics, funny posters, audiotapes, and videos.

1. waiting room
2. humour room
3. ICU
4. reception

iv) One can plan to use humour yet rely on __________ opportunities to employ it.

1. late
2. better
3. future
4. spontaneous

v) Humour is called a way of _________, not a part of living.

1. living
2. playing
3. nourishing
4. developing

Answer 1

i) Humour has the power to motivate and reduce stress and pain.

ii) It seems generally accepted that our bodies respond in a positive way to a hearty laugh.

iii) The humour room is stocked with books, comics, funny posters, audiotapes, and videos.

iv) One can plan to use humour yet rely on spontaneous opportunities to employ it.

v) Humour is called a way of living, not a part of living.