English Guru

     Working with words

A. The following words are synonyms and antonyms of the verb ‘laugh’. Group

them into synonyms and antonyms.

Synonyms of the verb 'laugh'	Antonyms of the verb 'laugh'
Chuckle, crackle, smile, giggle, grin, chortle, snicker, smirk, sniggle	Cry, moan, sob, whoop, groan grimace, frown, pout, scowl

 B. Match the following emotions with their definitions.

a. fear                    vi. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm

b. anger                 v. a strong feeling of displeasure

c. surprise              ix. an unexpected event, fact, etc.

d. disgust               i. a feeling of strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant

e. sadness              ii. affected with grief or unhappiness

f. happiness           iii. a pleasurable or satisfying experience

g. relief                  viii. removal or lightening of something oppressive, painful, or distressing

h. triumph             iv. a great victory or achievement

i. contentment        vii. the quality or state of being satisfied

C. The author writes, “. . . the contagious nature of laughter means that waves of mirth can catch on more easily when there are more people.” Find out the situations in which the following types of laughter are found.

a. etiquette laughter          b. snorting laughter     c. stress-relieving laughter

d. silent laughter               e. nervous laughter     f. cruel laughter

Here are the situations where you might find each type of laughter:

a. Etiquette laughter: This often happens in formal or unfamiliar settings where the person wants to show politeness or agreeable. Laughing or smiling with good manner.

b. Snorting laughter: This loud, uncontrolled laughter typically occurs in relaxed, informal situations where someone finds something extremely funny. Often, it happens when watching comedy or sharing jokes with close friends. Snorting laughter involves inhaling and exhaling via the nose.

c. Stress-relieving laughter: This burst of laughter usually comes out in tense or stressful situations as a way to release pressure and relax. It helps ease the tension.

d. Silent laughter: This suppressed amusement happens in inappropriate or unexpected situations where open laughter might be disruptive or disrespectful.

e. Nervous laughter: This high-pitched, awkward laughter often arises in uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing situations as a way to mask nervousness or awkwardness.

f. Cruel laughter: This malicious laughter is associated with derision, mocking, or schadenfreude, the pleasure derived from another's misfortune. It could happen at the expense of someone else's pain or humiliation.

D. A unit of pronunciation at least with one vowel is called a syllable. Listen to your teacher saying the words and say the number of syllables.

Charge: 1 syllable (charge)

Duty: 2 syllables (du-ty)

Laughter: 2 syllables (laugh-ter)

Commission: 3 syllables (com-mis-sion)

Undertaking: 4 syllables (un-der-tak-ing)

Responsibility: 6 syllables (re-spon-si-bil-i-ty)

Hilarity: 4 syllables (hi-lar-i-ty)

Persistent: 3 syllables (per-sist-ent)

Infectious: 3 syllables (in-fec-tious)

Ephemeral: 4 syllables (e-phem-er-al)

   Comprehension

A. Complete the following sentences with words/ phrases from the text.

a. According to Sophie Scott, laughter is one of the important and

misunderstood behaviours.

b. After her study in Namibia, Scott came to the realization that laughter is one of the richest vocal tics.

c. Studies have shown that there are six universal emotions based on facial expressions.

d. Scott found out that most of the laughs have nothing do with humour.

e. The couples who laugh at each other are likely to stay together for longer.

f. The primary way of communication of grown up people is to express feelings and meet social expectations.  

g. Comedians usually find it easier to work in larger places due to the contagious nature of laughter.

B. Answer the following questions.

a. Why do people giggle at someone’s pain or suffering?

Ans. Because laughter is our innate quality and contagious in nature.

b. What did Scott’s study in Namibia come up with?

Ans. Scott’s study in Namibia came up with laughter is one of the richest vocal tics and it is the most recognizable emotion.

c. How is laughter a social bonding?

Ans. Laughter is a social bonding as it brings people together and forms social connection when they laugh together.

d. According to the author, what role does laughter play in husband-wife

relationship?

Ans. According to the author, laughter makes husband-wife relation stronger and makes it longer-lasting. It makes easier to dissipate the tension between them after any stressful events.

e. How does laughter work as a painkiller?

Ans. Laughter helps to produce chemical like endorphins which works as medicine to relive the pain as painkiller.

f. What did the study find about the relation between laughter and brain?

Ans. The study found that the brain responded to each kinds of laughter and each types of laughter tickled on the brain's mirror regions- the area of the brain that mimics others' action.

g. What are two emotions that the author associates with infants and adults?

Ans. Crying and laughter are the two emotions that the author associates with infants and adults.

h. How does a stand-up comedian take the audience’s laughter?

Ans. A stand-up comedian takes the audience’s laughter as an opportunity of communication and interaction.

i. Show the relation between laughter and crowd.

Ans. Laughter is contagious in nature. When a person laughs, it spreads easily to others in the crowd.

j. What does the author mean when she says “there is always a meaning to it?”

Ans.  When the author says " there is always a meaning to it" she means the laughter has always a meaning based on the situations or context.

    Critical thinking

a. Do you agree that ‘the couples, who laugh together, stay together?’ ’ Is it important

for married couples to have the same sense of humour? Why?

It is believed that having a similar sense of humor can contribute positively to a relationship. Shared laughter can create a sense of connection, intimacy, and mutual understanding between partners. Couples with similar senses of humor often find the same things funny, allowing them to share moments of joy and laughter. This shared enjoyment can strengthen their bond and create positive memories. Laughter is a natural stress reliever. Laughter releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin, strengthening emotional connection and creating positive memories. Couples who can find humor in challenging situations may be better equipped to navigate difficulties with a more positive outlook, reducing the overall stress in the relationship. If the couples are unhappy and dissatisfy with each other, their relation becomes weak and it may lead to break up or divorce.  Humour can be a powerful tool for communication. Shared jokes and inside references can create a unique language between partners, enhancing communication and mutual understanding.

In conclusion we can say that, hININumour can be a positive factor to strengthen the relationship for every couples, but it's not the only aspect that determines the successful relationship. Every couple is unique, and successful relationships can thrive with a variety of dynamics.

b. Some people believe that sometimes crying is good for health. Do you believe

it? Give your reasons.

Crying is a natural and emotional response that serves several purposes for mental and physical well-being. People believe that sometimes crying is good for health and tears purify the human body. Here are some reasons why crying can be considered good for health:

Emotional release: Crying can be a healthy way to process and express difficult emotions, like sadness, grief, or anger, leading to emotional catharsis and a sense of release.

Stress relief: Emotional tears contain stress hormones, and shedding them can help body release these hormones, leading to a feeling of calm and reduced physical tension.

Mood improvement: Crying can trigger the release of endorphins, the body's feel-good hormones. This can lead to an improved mood and a sense of emotional relief after a crying episode.

Social connection: Crying is a universal human experience, and it often elicits empathy and support from others. Sharing emotional moments through tears can strengthen social bonds and promote a sense of connection with others.

Physical detoxification: Emotional tears contain stress hormones like lysozyme, and other toxins, and crying may act as a physical release mechanism for these substances, potentially contributing to a sense of relief.

While crying can have positive effects, it's important to note that persistent or excessive crying may be a sign of underlying emotional distress, and seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals is crucial for overall well-being. It's essential to recognize and address the root causes of emotional distress rather than relying solely on crying as a coping mechanism.

   Writing

A. Write a paragraph narrating an event from your life when you were involved in

contagious laughter.

B. Write a description of your favourite comedian explaining his/her personality,

acting, performance and uniqueness.