A
The British are known for their sense of humour.However, it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes.The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.
Understatement means saying less than you think or feel.For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, “It's a little damp (潮湿的) outside.”Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, “She isn't exactly friendly.”Understatement is often used in unpleasant situations or to make another person look silly.Understatement plays an important part in British humour.
Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others.They often laugh about the silly and unpleasant things that happen to their everyday life, for example, when someone accidentally falls over in the street.They also like to make jokes about people from different classes of society.They like to make jokes about their accents, the way they dress and the way they behave.What's more, the British love to watch comedies about people who do not know how to behave in society.The comedy series Mr Bean is a good example of this kind of humour.Mr Bean is the character created by British actor Rowan Atkinson in 1990.
Mr Bean doesn't talk often, and instead he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh.Perhaps what makes Mr Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world cannot do.Mr Bean is popular in many countries around the world because you do not have to speak English to understand the humour.Because of this, many people have become familiar with the British sense of humour.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了如何理解英式幽默。
1．Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand British jokes?
A．Because the British often enlarge the fact.
B．Because British jokes are connected with many different cultures.
C．Because the British try to make out that something is less important than it is.
D．Because British jokes are not as funny as jokes in other countries.
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第一段中的The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.及第二段中的Understatement means saying less than you think or feel.可知，英国人经常使用低调陈述，低调陈述意味着说的话比你想的或感觉到的要不那么重要，所以外国人很难理解英国笑话是因为英国人总是试图让别人觉得事情没有那么重要。
2．How does the author explain understatement?
A．By using examples.
B．By making comparisons.
C．By following time order.
D．By describing a process.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第二段中的For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, “It's a little damp outside.” Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, “She isn't exactly friendly.”可知，作者是通过举例来解释低调陈述的。
3．How does Mr Bean make people laugh?
A．By telling funny stories.
B．By making jokes about others' accents.
C．By copying how others behave.
D．By using his body movements and facial expressions.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的Mr Bean doesn't talk often, and instead he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh.可知，憨豆先生是通过肢体动作和面部表情使人发笑的。
4．What is the best title for the text?
A．British Humour in Comedy
B．Humour in Different Cultures
C．Developing Your Sense of Humour
D．Understanding British Humour
解析：选D 标题归纳题。根据第一段中的However，it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes.The main point to remember is that the British often use understatement.及第三段中的Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others.可知，本文主要介绍了如何理解英式幽默。
