SupraEnglish
Adults
Adults/Unit 9: Humor & Satire

Vocabulary

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Humor

"Funny quality."

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Joke

"Funny story."

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Pun

"Word play."

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Sarcasm

"Irony."

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Satire

"Mockery."

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Witty

"Clever funny."

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Hilarious

"Very funny."

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Comedian

"Joker."

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Punchline

"End of joke."

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Irony

"Unexpected contrast."

Article

The Highest Form of Intelligence

Humor is hard in a second language. It relies on culture, wordplay, and timing. But when you crack a joke in English, you know you have made it.

Puns and Wordplay "I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down." Puns use double meanings. They are "groan-worthy" but popular.

Sarcasm Saying the opposite of what you mean. "Oh, great weather!" (when it is raining). The British are masters of this. It requires tone to work.

Satire Using humor to mock power. Late-night talk shows, political cartoons. It is funny, but it has a sting. It makes a point.

Discussion

Questions

  • 1What makes you laugh?
  • 2Is humor different in your country?
  • 3Do you understand English comedy?
  • 4Is sarcasm rude?
  • 5Who is your favorite comedian?

Further Discussion

  • 1Can jokes go too far?
  • 2Is comedy a defense mechanism?
  • 3Why is laughter contagious?

Practice

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1.

A joke based on double meanings is a...

2.

Saying the opposite of what you mean is...

3.

The quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in literature or speech is...

4.

A thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline is a...

5.

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices constitutes...

6.

Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor is being...

7.

Extremely amusing constitutes...

8.

An entertainer whose act consists of jokes, monologues, and humorous patter is a...

9.

The final phrase or sentence of a joke or story, providing the humor or some other crucial element is the...

10.

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect is...

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